[Sonnenwende]

You said construction? Maybe Wyoming is worth a look, griffin. http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1030/p01s01-usec.html

[GAisGreat]

Originally Posted by ccgriffin1972

Michigan was#50 last I checked for jobless full time residents. That doesn't look good. I have lived in Michigan for a total of 18 years, 10 of those are in Atlanta Michigan. A very small town, no work at all, even surrounding 50 mile radius, I have traveled to saginaw, flint, detroit for small jobs. I am in the construction/demolition field, which has been one of the easiest jobs to land in Michigan for a long time now. I am fully certified by the state of michigan and still cannot find work. This Xmas is looking bad for my 3 kids my wife is working on her nursing degree hopefully there will be a job for her when she finishes.
I'm not trying to bad mouth northern Michigan, but I have tried so hard to make things good for my kids and I am always trying to find some sort of work so I can feed them.

The amount of work in this field is growing (says the polititians) and its onlygoing to get better, FOR WHO?? Nobody has moneyto spend, the ones who do have greatjobs and a peachy life are the ones we are paying to keep ourselves from leaving thisgreat state.

I have worked in Livonia automotive (laid off), and in Sterling Heights (laid off) Flint seems to have work if you like 7.00 per hour. I cant even pay for gas and food with that.

The lower part of northern michigan is verybad, reguardless of what people are saying, I've been outof work and working for cash for 3 years now. Maybe it's time to move to where thejobs are (katrina-rita) I hate to move my familyto make a betterlife away from family and friends, butthisiswhat I am now facing every day. Stay and be unhappy or leave hopeforwork and pray.

YOU TELL ME I'll be checking on this post for replies.

Atlanta Michigan 49709 - 989 area code

Thank-You,
embarresed parent

Sorry to hear about your struggle, obviousely you have to do what you have to do to make a better life. But just a couple points, a small town like that, I imagine is just about ANY state you may have problems like that.

2nd, you think you'll find the answer going South, or to whatever 'boom area' because there's tons of construction. Well good luck, come down to 'booming' Georgia, or Florida, there's tons of construction work, but good luck finding any unless your illegal, don't speak english, and are willing to work for $5/hr 100hrs a week.

There is ALWAYS a trade-off, don't believe all the hype that you hear!

[Gillette]

Hello Michigan natives,

I sorry the issues you have to deal with and makes me depressed to read the previous posts. I hoping I can help you with information about Wyoming. I grew in a small town in Wyoming (300) and I moved out due to no/ little jobs here in the 80's and I also wanted to see the world. I have moved back after 20 years away from the state to see similiar and yet different situations. Similiar due to the economy is driven by energy related industry's (coal, oil, and natural gas) and yet different (sorta) with the country going through energy crisis again. They call it a "boom", yet people have managed to support their families here for years. Wyoming is the least populated state in the union first and foremost, so remember that when thinking about Wyoming. We have cold weather like you, but we have spotty areas that get dumped regularly with snow. The rest of the state, the wind blows the snow horizontal rather than verticle. Furthermore, the wind dries out the moisture even more, so only the areas that have sometype of mtn. or "hill" will catch the snow and have pine trees. Check out worldclimate.com for preceip amounts.

Gillette is home to the Powder River Coal which supplies 30% of the coal to the nation. We have something like 15 coal mines. Recently, they figured out that coal releases methane gas, so the race was on to capture that as well. Coal prices has jumped 3x in the last year and natural gas are up as well which feeds the boom. Gillette is so dire in need of workers that service industries are closing because they can not find workers. The mines and gas companies pay top dollar so the trickle down affects everyone else. Wendy's is paying $10/ hr plus benefits including free food. Gas stations are offering free gas to employees. Wal-mart is well over $10/ hour. Everyone is hurting for employees.

Downside so far is there is no housing and what there is available is expensive for a shack. They can not building them fast enough and again they don't have the workers. Housing for new would start at $200,000 if you can find them, but most likily it is over $300. Older homes would be between $175- $300,000. Manufacturered homes and modulars are in big demand due to lower cost involved, but still will run you over $150 at the minimum. The city requires to contractors and subcontractors to licensed and bonded that means for every every worker.

One genlteman talked about the cost of sports which is the same, except if you are in smaller community. Then it is wide open due to need to field a team and everything is paid for except the shoes. The difference is here we more than likely have to travel 200 miles or more just to play an opponent. I played off/ def, and special team in school. We had 18 players total for an 11man football team.

Sorry to ramble on....ask me a question or come over to wyoming site for answers.

Gillette

Go Pokes!!!

[fuddy]

Michigan could be a great place to live, raise a family, it depends on your lifestyle. I know people from Colorado & Florida, (places I've lived before moving to MI) who are horrified by the way most people here in west-central MI live - rotting, stained trailers, trash all over the yard & surrounding woods, the unmaintained buildings & streets in the small towns, the feeling of apathy & insular suspicion you get from the vacant stares of the locals, etc.
You've got to like squalor & poverty here, or at least be willing to tolerate it in most of your neighbors, or it's thoroughly depressing living in MI. There are exceptions, but not many. As for me, I'm packing it up & heading back to CO, where most people are relativily normal & aware of the rest of the world.

[Rohan]

Originally Posted by fuddy

Michigan could be a great place to live, raise a family, it depends on your lifestyle. I know people from Colorado & Florida, (places I've lived before moving to MI) who are horrified by the way most people here in west-central MI live - rotting, stained trailers, trash all over the yard & surrounding woods, the unmaintained buildings & streets in the small towns, the feeling of apathy & insular suspicion you get from the vacant stares of the locals, etc.
You've got to like squalor & poverty here, or at least be willing to tolerate it in most of your neighbors, or it's thoroughly depressing living in MI. There are exceptions, but not many. As for me, I'm packing it up & heading back to CO, where most people are relativily normal & aware of the rest of the world.

Yeah, people are pathetic in Michigan, my wife and I are really souring of this state FAST... Our neighbors are empty lifeless shells of people. I am tired of living around people that hate life, and I am tired of living in an area near enough where they bus inner city people out to steal our jobs and ruin our areas.

I've about had it, but I can't really find anyplace else that sounds really good right now! Plus, it is hard uprooting the family, especially with relatives we like near.. I could care less about my side of the family tree, but my wife is close to her folks.

[kenyabenya]

do most people in michigan just have a high school degree?

[paintballer1708]

^ I wouldnt be suprised if that was a true case for most in the state of Michigan.

[WendiG]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

It makes me sad to read this, it really does. Michigan is undeserving of this. Its such a wonderful state and it really saddens me to see people leaving in droves. Most people are chasing some fake dream that exists somewhere warmer, or cheaper, etc. What they dont realize is that its a pipe dream most of the time. They relocate, realize that its no better, or actually worse, than it was back home. My advice is to stay put. Hard as it is, stay the course and stay planted. Good things come to those who wait. There is NO perfect place in the world, really take some time to think about it. Theres simply no such thing. So what if the winters are cold? Lots of people would love to get a break from oppressive heat. So what if summers can get humid? It doesnt last ALL summer, most summer weather is downright perfect. I see alot of people leave for those two reasons, and when they get to their destinations, they get a reality slap and turn around and head right back. No matter where you live, there is always someplace cheaper nearby. You might have to sacrifice a little and have a longer commute, etc. but its worth it. I lived 15 minutes from my job, but they raised our rent to $1,350 for a 2 BR apartment and I just couldnt afford it anymore so we had to relocate 45 minutes west. Its outrageously expensive here in Chicagoland area, but there are so many options to consider before Id ever even think about leaving. Sure enough, we found a larger brand new 2 bedroom place for 1/2 the price. Yes, the drive is longer, but its very much worth it IMO. So all I have to say is to hang in there people, ride the storm. Pretty soon alot of people will start migrating back and helping MI out. Its the people that leave that further worsen the situation. They should stay put and help the economy rather than abandon it. Thats just my 2 cents, I know its not much but reading this thread really made me sad for Michigan. I love that state and would love to live there myself, but Im comfy here for now.

Are you kidding? You are telling ppl to 'stay put', 'ride the storm' 'as hard as it is' 'stay put and help MI economy. rather than abandon it'. YOU don't even live here!!!!!!!!!! You live in Chicago.
You try living here. People that are leaving the state is because they have toughed it out as long as they possibly could. Do you know that 260,000 homes in Macomb, Oakland, and St. Claire counties have be forclosed on this year alone? Well, they have.
Michigan is hurting, and hurting bad. They predict it will take 7-10 years to turn Michigan around. I dont know of anyone that can financially last that long. Do you?

[deeme]

Hubby & I moved to Wisconsin 11/13/6. I was born/raised in Michigan & never thought I'd leave! But, when you keep gettin laid off your job & or your hours are cut more than in half, you have to do some something or sink.

I researched States for jobs, housing, low crime, etc. Michigan sure was not in the equation, I can tell you that. Wisconsin, Wyoming, Colorado & a few others were! Here are just a few of the "improvements" of living in WI ~ compared to living in MI:

*Jobs in every field (not just the medical)
*Car insurance is half & that is for a whole year! Not 6 mons.!!
*People are friendly, smiling & easy to talk to.
*Much safer ... people leave their keys in their cars!
*Tons of shopping.
*Much better housing, although rent is comparable to MI imho
*No cars left along side of the road... that is removed asap.
*The air is cleaner to breathe & the water tastes much better.

I can't think of one reason I would even consider returning to Michigan. Not one!

[JenM]

Yeah, people are pathetic in Michigan, my wife and I are really souring of this state FAST... Our neighbors are empty lifeless shells of people. I am tired of living around people that hate life, and I am tired of living in an area near enough where they bus inner city people out to steal our jobs and ruin our areas.

OUCH! Harsh but true!!! I am on of those "life hating" people you describe. Normally I love life, but this joblessness is really starting to take it's toll on me and my husband. He works practically 60 hours a week just to pay for the basics. I've been searching for something, but I need to make more monthly than just working for daycare costs, or else I might as well just stay at home with the kids!!!