Thinking about Moving to Travers City Area (Detroit, Muskegon: renting, unemployment)

dharris67 · 07-09-2006, 01:08 PM

My Dad Lives in Grayling for half of the year and goes to Florida during the winter months, and the rest of my family as well as my wife's all live down state around Lake Orion. My family has lived in Michigan for Several Generations and I moved to Greenville, South Carolina 14 years ago with my Wife. We don't get up there to visit all that much, but the last year or two we have been able to visit down state as well as up at my Dad's. We have been getting home-sick, and are considering moving back to Michigan to spend more time with the Family, and our Kids are 4 and 2 and need to see the Family more too. We Love it up near my Dad's, (Who Doesn't!) but we are not sure if we can put up with the winters up there, or if we will be able to find work and it is still too far to visit with everyone else down-state very often. We could move closer to the main group, say around Fenton or somewhere the taxes are not so much. Can anyone from these area's offer us some advice? Is there any Thriving Industry around Travers City? What about Fenton,Goodrich?

Thanks

mich2fla · 07-10-2006, 10:25 AM

Michigan as a whole has been hurting economically. You should be able to find housing deals up north since people are losing their jobs or are tired of paying high gas prices (currently $3.08/gallon unleaded). Many companies are in the 'on-hold' mode since it's election year for governor. Unemployment is very high, over 7% compared to the nation average of 4%.

To check out schools look at schoolmatters.com and do some comparisions.

chiroptera · 07-10-2006, 03:52 PM

Dunno about Traverse City, but Fenton & Goodrich are both nice towns. Fenton is booming - has Walmart, all the usual fast food joints, a Target either just opened or is about to. Subs are starting to sprawl...

It also has a nice, older downtown. Goodrich is trying to hold onto a small-town feel and there aren't any of those big-box type places for about 5 miles. Neither has any industry to speak of (though the schools are probably very good) and most folks who live in bedroom communities like them commute towards Detroit.
If you are in the medical profession, you could probably find work somewhere in Genesee County - there's several large hospitals. Generally the area is economically depressed and I don't see it getting better any time soon.
Fenton and Goodrich are both pricey for either buying or renting a home. Though I suppose that is relative to what you are paying now, and what your potential income is. Both are in Genesee County, I think taxes are less here than Oakland County, just to the south.
Since you mentioned Fenton & Goodrich, a couple other "nicer" nearby towns to look into are Grand Blanc and Davison.

dharris67 · 07-13-2006, 08:29 PM

Thanks for your feedback, we have some in-laws moving to Linden, and most of the area out there sounds pretty nice. The taxes are less and the housing cost is not too bad either. The daily commute to work will be an adjustment

, but I think it would be worth it to live in that area. We still have alot of thinking to do, but thanks again for your replies.

jomaco1 · 08-09-2006, 10:11 AM

I grew up in Muskegon, but lived 3 years as an adult in Traverse City. I ended up back in Muskegon, because, even though Traverse City is a great place to live, nothing beats a Lake Michigan sunset. If considering a move to Michigan, you should plan a visit to the lakeshore to witness it's amazing beauty first-hand.

There are several cities along the shoreline that offer a good variety of industrial opportunities:

Muskegon
Whitehall
Ludington
Manistee

Not to mention those south of us....

mhogan10010 · 08-09-2006, 10:47 AM

I don't know if this will help, but I grew up in MI, and lived in Western NC for 5 years (less than 2 hrs from Greenville). I moved back North 7 years ago (this time to NYC). While I know the winters here aren't as severe at Traverse City, still I haven't had any problem adjusting. If you get out and enjoy the outdoors, then I think it will be like riding a bike.
And, being near family will be huge especially for your kids. As has been said to death, you have to look at the trade offs and see if it is worth it.

Good luck.

mariatherese · 08-09-2006, 02:49 PM

i lived in traverse City for 3 years and am now in the greater detroit area (clawson). and i say traverse city is one of the most wonderful places to live and i hate it down here!

but then again, i'm from the U.P. ha!

well we are down here because of school, but i may not be going back to TC because i dont know where i will find work. my finacee can find work easily- he is in the construction business. TC is growing very much so new construction is always happening. i am in graphic design so there arent as many opportunites for me there.

just remember, people dont live in TC because they can make money there. they live there, take a paycut, because the quality of life is so much better. and thats also what makes the people of TC so nice and unique. so, i recommend it! good luck!

jomaco1 · 08-10-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariatherese

i lived in traverse City for 3 years and am now in the greater detroit area (clawson). and i say traverse city is one of the most wonderful places to live and i hate it down here!

but then again, i'm from the U.P. ha!

well we are down here because of school, but i may not be going back to TC because i dont know where i will find work. my finacee can find work easily- he is in the construction business. TC is growing very much so new construction is always happening. i am in graphic design so there arent as many opportunites for me there.

just remember, people dont live in TC because they can make money there. they live there, take a paycut, because the quality of life is so much better. and thats also what makes the people of TC so nice and unique. so, i recommend it! good luck!

I lived a block from the west bay for 3 years. Even though it is a beautiful view, it is no match for a sunset from the top of a Lake Michigan dune. The traffic in T.C. gets worse every year and in my opinion, a view of the bay is not worth a cut in pay.

As a graphic designer, you should be able to work from anywhere...there is plenty of web design work available, I can even put you in touch with some people that might be interested in your sevices. Feel free to PM me if you want.

mariatherese · 08-12-2006, 09:27 PM

i still have to finish school- plus still havent taken my web classes yet. but thanks!

i've never been to muskegon or the western part of lower michigan- i'll have to experience one of those sunsets for myself someday!

regardless of sunsets (traverse bay has a beautiful sunrise IMO), TC is a beautiful little town with friendly people and lots of nature. Lake Orion is a beautiful place, too- so if you like it there you will probably like TC. but personally I would rather live in TC than anywhere else in Michigan because it has both the nature/seclusion and the most thriving central community of any other area in Northern Michigan. IMO, the people are friendlier the further north you go. plus the wineries and the peninsulas- so gorgeous! and the rolling hills makes for the best scenery- people in the TC area refer to the rest of lower michigan as flatlanders. and so many small lakes around! lets not forget torch lake, known nationally as being one of the most beautiful lakes in the US.

but thats just my take on things! as you can see i'm partial to TC

but OK, thats probably getting off topic... the original post asked if there were any thriving industries in TC. what do you do or what are you looking to get into? i might be able to tell you something.