[darstar]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Another suggestion to look about 20-30 miles outside of Traverse City. Traverse City is a good commercial and entertainment hub when you do want to get out of the house, you have a good pick of both lakeside and inland small towns and rural proeprties, and the weather is better than what you'd find in Marquette when you do venture outside.

And if you do actually need something from a larger city other than NFL football, Grand Rapids has more to offer the Traverse City day or weekend tripper than Green Bay has to offer the Marquette resident.

Sorry , but I will take Milwaukee/Chicago anyday ...over a "visit" to Grand Rapids. Why settle for half a loaf, when in an hour or more you can have the whole thing ( by air) The 135 mile ride down to GR can be better used, but thats just my opioin, and experence.. If I lived in Traverse City , I would look North for more to offer, not south..( nature upstaging crime,traffic and the reason you lived in TR in the first place ).....then there is the high speed boat service across the lake to Milwaukee....Green Bay ?, I don't ever stop there , even for gas.

[bookworm42]

Originally Posted by scolls

Glen's is popular in northern Michigan but it's very expensive for the same quality as Walmart. I'm not sure how much different NE Pennsylvania is compared to the Pittsburgh area, but I've been to Pittsburgh and if that is downhill, you won't find things any better in Michigan.

Hasn't Pittsburgh been making a turn around though? I've never been there, but I've heard the economy is much more diversified than it was back in the day. NE PA isn't horrible, but some undesirables (drug dealers, thugs, white trash, etc.) are beginning to move into the area and Scranton and Allentown aren't doing well. I understand there are people like that everywhere, but it really is becoming somewhat of an issue. We just want to get away from the whole NY/NJ/PA area.

Originally Posted by scolls

What's wrong with Sault Sainte Marie is, it's the ghetto of the UP if you will. It's run down, old and dirty looking.

Sad to hear that. We'll check it out when we make a trip out there.

Originally Posted by micholdman

Yes...dont pay much attention to him. scolls will tell you if its not a thriving city with every house and building kept in perfect shape and low unemployment...its a dump.
Meijers is the probably the best grocery chain around here. Traverse City has everything most people need, and its a fantastic area, with many awesome smaller towns nearby. Its close to the bays and lake Michigan. I would say its probably one of the most sought out areas of northern Michigan.

Based on what has been said here, Traverse City is looking like a good option. Of course we'll have to visit first. The location seems good too, being nestled in Northwestern Michigan. I can only imagine how beautiful it is during the fall.

Originally Posted by darstar

biased I am...however , Marquette is hands down the best choice considering your flexible needs and indoor work accommodation requirements. Come and take one look at Lake Superior...and you will be sold....I guarantee it !

Marquette is definetly on our list of places to visit. It's great not being tied down to an area because of a job. Otherwise Michigan wouldn't be very viable jobwise.

[bookworm42]

We will be making a trip out to Ohio and Michigan in early July. Ohio is still a consideration, but we're leaning towards Michigan. Only way to "seal the deal" is by visiting. I can only do so much research online.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. They'll really help with our decision.

[darstar]

If you are from Maine, like the cool weather, you will not be happy anywhere that has a lower latitude.Here in the U.P. summers are usually such that AC is not needed, You won't find that in Ohio.

[bookworm42]

Originally Posted by darstar

If you are from Maine, like the cool weather, you will not be happy anywhere that has a lower latitude.Here in the U.P. summers are usually such that AC is not needed, You won't find that in Ohio.

We live in Pennsylvania. I wouldn't mind having to use the AC for a few weeks a year (like we do now). I just would never want to live in a place like Mobile during the summer.

I would assume it gets hot even in the U.P. at least once a year, no?

[darstar]

Originally Posted by bookworm42

We live in Pennsylvania. I wouldn't mind having to use the AC for a few weeks a year (like we do now). I just would never want to live in a place like Mobile during the summer.

I would assume it gets hot even in the U.P. at least once a year, no?

Yes, Just about every summer we get 2 or 3 days when its very hot. last summer it was 97 one day...but not the humid stuff. Our sun is very intense up here, even in winter. Its 70 today, but in the sun feels like 80. The key is the cool breeze off the Lake...and the shade of all our trees. This is a great place for hay fever suffers, with all our surrounding large body's of water.They keep it not so cold in winter, and very nice in the summer. If you live along lake Superior, there would never be a need for AC, even when we have those "Hot" interruptions.

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by darstar

Yes, Just about every summer we get 2 or 3 days when its very hot. last summer it was 97 one day...but not the humid stuff. Our sun is very intense up here, even in winter. Its 70 today, but in the sun feels like 80. The key is the cool breeze off the Lake...and the shade of all our trees. This is a great place for hay fever suffers, with all our surrounding large body's of water.They keep it not so cold in winter, and very nice in the summer. If you live along lake Superior, there would never be a need for AC, even when we have those "Hot" interruptions.

Yeah...and if you get hot, just take a dip in Lake Superior...that'll cool you off for a few days.....and cleanse the soul.