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Old 09-14-2011, 05:40 PM
 
6 posts, read 21,325 times
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In the close Chicago suburbs(30 mins or less), that are safe, with great public schools, the housing costs are astronomical OR you buy a house in the far out burbs and have a very long commute. We are considering moving back to Michigan due to affordability and the fact that we are natives of Michigan. Any advice? Too soon to come back?
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Old 09-15-2011, 11:19 AM
 
1,210 posts, read 3,061,111 times
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I live in Chicago now, and grew up here. However I spent 7 years in Grand Rapids and left GR about 18 months ago to return.

That being said Michigan is definitely more affordable, however I think you'll find the salary for certain jobs is less than it would be in Chicago. However I think it's still more effective in terms of overall cost of living.

The job market in MI is still very rough. I would strongly recommend you find a job before moving back. Moving back then job hunting could be disastrous.
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Old 09-15-2011, 12:41 PM
 
Location: Grand Rapids Metro
8,882 posts, read 19,845,845 times
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I'd agree with Jandur. You probably want to get a job lined up before looking at moving here.

But things are trending positively here. This article on the construction market just came out:

Residential construction picks up in the Grand Rapids area, still down in Kalamazoo | MLive.com
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Old 09-15-2011, 08:41 PM
 
6 posts, read 21,325 times
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THanks. I am just wondering if the market will stil be struggling in 5 yrs; what if one of us lost our jobs?
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Old 09-16-2011, 06:23 AM
 
Location: East Grand Rapids, MI
845 posts, read 3,270,532 times
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I think the job market in Michigan will continue to struggle for the next 5 years. But, you have to remember that some of that struggle is industry-specific.

I work in IT. I cannot find the talent I need when I'm hiring. If you work in IT, I would wager you will find a job fairly easily.

My wife was a teacher (before we had kids). I would not want to be on the hunt for a teaching job right now.

Look at sector-specific employment trends and as long as it's not horrible, find a job and move here.

It's a great place to be right now.
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Old 09-16-2011, 07:31 AM
 
1,210 posts, read 3,061,111 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suydam View Post
I think the job market in Michigan will continue to struggle for the next 5 years. But, you have to remember that some of that struggle is industry-specific.

I work in IT. I cannot find the talent I need when I'm hiring. If you work in IT, I would wager you will find a job fairly easily.

My wife was a teacher (before we had kids). I would not want to be on the hunt for a teaching job right now.

Look at sector-specific employment trends and as long as it's not horrible, find a job and move here.

It's a great place to be right now.
That is true. IT, Medical (especially nurses) and to a degree accounting/finance are doing fairly well in west MI right now.
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Old 09-16-2011, 07:51 AM
 
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Thanks, I am in IT, my hubby is in Accounting. Sounds like we would be okay.
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Old 09-16-2011, 07:57 AM
 
Location: Grand Rapids Metro
8,882 posts, read 19,845,845 times
Reputation: 3920
Quote:
Originally Posted by suydam View Post
I think the job market in Michigan will continue to struggle for the next 5 years. But, you have to remember that some of that struggle is industry-specific.

I work in IT. I cannot find the talent I need when I'm hiring. If you work in IT, I would wager you will find a job fairly easily.

My wife was a teacher (before we had kids). I would not want to be on the hunt for a teaching job right now.

Look at sector-specific employment trends and as long as it's not horrible, find a job and move here.

It's a great place to be right now.
Couldn't have said it better myself. There are some industries that I don't think will be any better for longer than 5 years (construction, real estate, banking) no matter what part of the country you're in. And it sounds like the teaching profession is hurting everywhere, as just about every State in the country is struggling with massive debt and budget deficits. There may be some exceptions in areas where they are still seeing population growth, but overall it ain't pretty.

The U.S. is going through some challenging times, and I'd want to be living somewhere that has a low cost of living, and that the employment base, amenities and the good residential areas are in close proximity. I predict the very large metro areas where the majority of the population lives 20 - 30+ miles from work are going to be devastated in the next 10 years as energy costs skyrocket.

Probably a little off-topic.
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Old 09-20-2011, 12:18 PM
 
Location: NC
1,225 posts, read 2,419,432 times
Reputation: 673
This sounds like good news and def makes the area more enticing now.
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Old 09-20-2011, 07:05 PM
 
Location: Grand Rapids Metro
8,882 posts, read 19,845,845 times
Reputation: 3920
West Michigan is leader in job creation, Manpower reports | MLive.com
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