Moving to Ann Arbor from Fayetteville, AR (Detroit, Grand Rapids: transplants, job market)

[AnimeKing5]

Hello, I'm a young 22 year old man who is seeking employment in Ann Arbor. I would like to know the job market and how liberal the city is compared to Fayetteville, AR

[craig11152]

Ann Arbor is certainly liberal. It has been dubbed the Berkeley of the Midwest in the passed. How it compares to Fayetteville I don't know. Short of having lived in both places all anybody can do is Google it.
As to the job market...jobs can be had but it's a vague question. What sort of skills/education do you have?

[brodie734]

Fayetteville being a college town is probably the closest thing Arkansas has to Ann Arbor, however my experience of other SEC towns would lead me to suggest that Ann Arbor is much more liberal and cosmopolitan. We'd need to know what your education level, skillset and interests are before we could advise on the job market.

[GoBlueA2]

Originally Posted by AnimeKing5

Hello, I'm a young 22 year old man who is seeking employment in Ann Arbor. I would like to know the job market and how liberal the city is compared to Fayetteville, AR

You are wise to inquire! I am born and raised in this county, and have lived in TN for a few years, so that is the closest comparison that I have. I am deeply steeped in the UM culture and am happy to leave the city at the end of the day. The saying goes, "Ann Arbor- 28 square miles surrounded by normalcy." There is a lot of truth to that. If you are a conservative and there is nothing specific that draws you to Ann Arbor (medicine, research, technology, etc.), I would look elsewhere. People here are quite aggressive with political discussion, even with strangers. If someone disagrees with a total stranger's bumper sticker, there is no hesitation to argue with them. Idealism comes before manners. The university is unabashedly liberal, but is a good employer, has good benefits, and takes care of their employees. One has to tolerate a lot in the workplace, but long term, it is worth it for many people.

Jobs do pay more up here than the south, and the job security is much better. You may want to consider the Detroit suburbs around Livonia for work. All the best to you!

[Meemur]

Originally Posted by AnimeKing5

Hello, I'm a young 22 year old man who is seeking employment in Ann Arbor. I would like to know the job market and how liberal the city is compared to Fayetteville, AR

I grew up in A2. It is beyond liberal and very expensive. Consider living and working in Ypsilanti (Ypsi -- "IP-see"), which is about six miles east. You will feel right at home. There are still many transplants from the South living there whose parents came up to work in the factories.

Also look at Grand Rapids. The economy might be better in your field, plus the cost of living is lower.

If I moved back to MI and had to work, I would move to Grand Rapids.