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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
My mistake. I made it sound like there was great boating in Bloomfield Hills. We're about 20 miles from the nearest big lake.
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by Michael1
Well, if he can get a place that looks like yours (see pictures above), maybe it would be pretty good. :D
I just think anyone that moves to an area should know what they are getting into. It's easy to visit an area, and it looks great. Living there can be an entirely different matter, especially after a few years. It's a huge change going from DC to Michigan. If I HAD to move to Michigan again, I would try to get something outside the city, where you could get some affordable land. That to me is the attraction of Michigan. SoCal definitely has it problems, too (smog, traffic, expensive housing, high taxes, small lots, a legislature that doesn't know when to quit, etc.), but there is more variety, so you can tailor the negatives a little better to what you especially don't like. I drive further, but have virtually no smog where I live. Formula1, now listen closely, because this is going to be the deal breaker for Michigan. MICHIGAN HAS A 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT ON ALL INLAND LAKES! :eek: Michael :drink: Damn Michael, It's not that bad :D Formula1 obviously your familiar with this area but the boating from SE Michigan is Awesome. I may complain from time to time but Michigan does have a lot to offer especially if you like the outdoors and boating. Michigan has 2242 miles of coastline on the great lakes, compare that to Florida that only has 1197 miles on the ocean and that's all at no wake speeds because of the manatees:D If you head south you have Toledo with a few good restaurants and bars, Sandusky with cedar point one of the top rated amusement parks in the country, Kelly's island with the casino restaurant the offshore hangout, Put-In-Bay the #1 boating location in the country and maybe the world :D :D and probably another dozen or so bars and restaurants within a reasonable travel distance. If you go north there are a few restaurants and bars on the Detroit river in both Canada and Michigan, south shore, pier 500, Duffy's and a few others I can't remember then you get into lake ST. Clair and I know there's a ton of stuff to do but i'm not familiar with the area so Ms PatriYacht would have to fill you in :) . As far as the inland lakes go there aren't many in Michigan big enough for an offshore boat so the speed limits really aren't a problem and the great lakes have no limits once you get a couple of miles offshore. Truthfully, i don't think were going to change your mind either way, if you have family and friends here and you can make a decent living working here than it's probably a good move. |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Ya know, I really appreciate all the comments and I especially hope they keep on coming! I helps to know the inside scoop from people who live or lived in the state rather than from just the outside. I've visited alot, but that doesn't tell the whole story!
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by Michael1
formula1,
I lived in Michigan for six years. I grew up in California. I decided working for the auto industry was more important than weather, and moved to Ann Arbor to get my Masters degree, and then Troy and Rochester while I worked for GM (just north of Detroit). I'm now back in California. My recommendation is to think this through. Unless you have some great job lined up that you just can't live without, I don't think you'll be happy. The winters are so cold, even my Dad was cold when he visited. He's the type of guy that will wear short sleeves, when everyone else has a jacket on. It is a humid cold that goes right through you. It actually hurts to be outside. They don't get much sun in the winter. A statistic I saw from the National Weather Service showed the Detroit area got less sun than Seattle. A friend of mine who still lives there, emailed me in December, and said they were "entering the dark days". I remember going an entire week without one bit of sunshine. Depressing. It costs a lot to heat a house in Michigan. So that cuts into the cost of living. The summers are very humid and hot. You'll sweat like a pig outside. It rains all summer. You can't plan outdoor activities without a weather clause, because it rains all summer. It costs a lot to air condition the house in Michigan, because of the humidity. More cost of living expense. The mosquitos will attack you like the birds in Alfred Hitchcock's movie. You better think about a winter car, because anything nice is completely beat up during the winter. Salt trucks will throw rock salt on it just driving down the street. They rarely plow. They just use salt. You can't keep your car clean during the summer either, because it rains all the time. The bugs will be plastered all over the front. Everyone owns a winter beater. Factor that into your cost of living. It's too flat for any decent skiing. My first and last ski venture in Michigan consisted of pointing my skis straight down the hill. It was so flat I never needed to turn to slow down. The terrain is boring. You have the winter snow, with no mountains. All the hiking is boring, because it is so flat. It's too cold to exercise outside during the winter. Snow starts in about mid-November, and ends in May. That's a long time to be indoors. The people are fat, because they get no exercise. There is nothing to do. About the only season I liked was Fall - low rainfall, and decent temperatures. Do you want to live in a place with one usable season, though? Housing is not as cheap as it was when I was there either, so that attraction is gone. I heard the roads were in excellent condition in the early 70's. I wouldn't know. They weren't when I was there. Add thirty five years and you'll get the idea of the condition. The great lakes are nice, but they can be VERY rough, so again not usable many times. You don't want to be out there in a thunderstorm either, which is what you get during any months worth boating. Don't forget the time you'll spend in the basement during the tornado alerts. There are lots of nice places to live, where the life is easier, and cost of living is still low. I would look elsewhere. Life's hard enough. Michael O.K. That did it I'm moving :eek: Wow this guy HATES Michigan :D I'm sure we can find fault with any area just make the best out of it. Yes that is Cedar Point in the background. They have a nice marina that offers more than most. The only downfall is the Saturday mid day traffic you could sit up to a half hour on a real bad day but usually just a few minutes. We just make sure were boating :cool: |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
well, if you do come, i suggest boating north into lake huron, check out cheboygan and the inland waterway, then cruise mac. island, then pass throught the straits and catch, charlevoix and it chain of lakes or head south to traverse bay, wow!, now you are headed down the west -side, with stops like frankfort, manistee, ludington, whitehall, muskegon, grand haven, holland, saugatuck and beyond, its a boaters paradise. There is a reason michigan has the most registered boats, pools and i think golf courses. as far as rough water is that what offshore boating is all about?
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
I was just reading the posts on the snowmobile thread! Those things really go that fast? :eek: What a way to pass the winter...at a buck 30 on the lake! That's faster than my boat! But I thought there was a 55 mph on the lakes? Is that really mean "on the water" not ice! :rolleyes: :p
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
a friend of mine bought his first sled this year, an 800 cc. mach. everyone told him he would hurt himself, soooo the first big weekend he missed a turn in the trail at 1 am and ended up upside down it the river. its getting to the point that its only safe on the big trails, monday through friday. or head to the u.p. i think boaters are a large part of the sledding population. too many people sled bar to bar. it can be really fun and beautiful too.
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by MitchStellin
You are going to the wrong side. The sand and clean lake are on the west coast of MI. Here in Holland we have a strict social standard and you need to pass a vigorous 10 part test before you can live here. I have the answers and will give them to you if needed. :D
Come on over... the snow is fine!!! :D |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Any of you West-siders heard of Wild Boar Harley Davidson?
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
You think the weather is bad below the bridge should come up here, the weather is great in the summer untill winter comes :) I agree with the trolls though western michigan is nicer than the other side. :cool:
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Thanks for all your suggestions and comments! :D Thanks Mark for the phone call yesterday afternoon! :drink: There has to be more Michiganders able to chime in on this thread!
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by MitchStellin
Thats right Woogie, that was my Avtive Thunder. We will have to meet some time, maybe at the itty bitty bar.
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by formula1
Any of you West-siders heard of Wild Boar Harley Davidson?
Michael1 spanked us up perty good but TBO i think he held back a bit - forgot to mention the millions of seagulls that crap all over everything! :rolleyes: |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Where do most of ya'll keep your boats? With the long winter and all, do you store them inside or hope for the best with a cover?
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
I grew up in SE Pennsylvania and came to Fla for school I was always into cars and mechanical things so right outta school got my "dream job" working for mother Ford in Dearborn. No problem about the winter thing I thought, I grew up playing in snow in Pa. ....., Man was I wrong, maybe it was the 5 years in FL making me a wimp but I lasted about 5 months in MI. It actually was the gray as$ , no sun that got to me. One day it was 8 degrees and I ate my lunch outside at a county park by my work becaused it was sunny I was SO glad to see the sun. I hated it everyday. I got a job for slightly less money in the Tampa area and never looked back. I am motivated to call a friend of mine that still lives in Ann Arbor, we boated in the gulf today and it was 80 degrees. I can deal with alot of old people for this. I say don't. do it..unless you gotta
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
3 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by formula1
I was just reading the posts on the snowmobile thread! Those things really go that fast? :eek: What a way to pass the winter...at a buck 30 on the lake! That's faster than my boat! But I thought there was a 55 mph on the lakes? Is that really mean "on the water" not ice! :rolleyes: :p
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
I'm actually in the process of moving from NYC to Michigan...SE area of the state..
Have been up north a few times and absolutely LOVE it..would love to live in the Les Cheneaux Islands area in a few years..but we go to the Western part of the UP as well and love it there also. I'm tired of city life..i'm ready for the quiet life..kinda like Green Acres :p |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by DB39
I'm actually in the process of moving from NYC to Michigan...SE area of the state..
Have been up north a few times and absolutely LOVE it..would love to live in the Les Cheneaux Islands area in a few years..but we go to the Western part of the UP as well and love it there also. I'm tired of city life..i'm ready for the quiet life..kinda like Green Acres :p Welcome to the State. The Irish Hills are is nice too |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Thanks :)
I've been traveling there for a few years now..I love it..nice and quiet..quite a change from the city..I guess i'm becoming less tolerant of city life in my old age ;) Patti |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by DB39
I'm actually in the process of moving from NYC to Michigan...SE area of the state..
Have been up north a few times and absolutely LOVE it..would love to live in the Les Cheneaux Islands area in a few years..but we go to the Western part of the UP as well and love it there also. I'm tired of city life..i'm ready for the quiet life..kinda like Green Acres :p But, a co-worker left work early Saturday nite to go out his wife & friends and after 3 restaurants having 1+ hour wait, he nearly gave up. Then tried the move theater and all the shows were sold out! I think he eventually got to a restaurant, but damn! :mad: I'm sure that don't happen much in Muskegon! :p |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by formula1
Where do most of ya'll keep your boats? With the long winter and all, do you store them inside or hope for the best with a cover?
My guy charges 400 bucks inside from Oct to May. (26ish foot boat) |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by formula1
Where do most of ya'll keep your boats? With the long winter and all, do you store them inside or hope for the best with a cover?
When we don't work on it, it sits outside shrinkwrapped. We have other little things we're doing to it again next winter (ie making a new engine hatch for certain) so it'll be in a buildng again next year. Maybe 2 winters from now we'll be living in Florida like we want (fingers and toes crossed:-). |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
undefined
Originally Posted by formula1
You said it best! Green Acres! LOL! My wife is addicted to the Cable station TV Land, the one that plays all the OLD citcoms (sp?) (Leave it to Beaver etc..) I bet that has alot to do with her being tired of the city life! :rolleyes:
But, a co-worker left work early Saturday nite to go out his wife & friends and after 3 restaurants having 1+ hour wait, he nearly gave up. Then tried the move theater and all the shows were sold out! I think he eventually got to a restaurant, but damn! :mad: I'm sure that don't happen much in Muskegon! :p Finally, you end up going home and cooking :p I have no patience to sit around with one of those lil light up buzzers to tell me I can go sit at a table lol I love TVLand..i'd much rather watch those than the newer shows..plus I loves me some Arnold Ziffel :evilb: Patti |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by MitchStellin
You are going to the wrong side. The sand and clean lake are on the west coast of MI. :D
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
I guess you must have to grow up in michigan to like it hear because me and my wife wouldn't like to live anywhere else,maybe we are gluttons for punishment but i have lived in california,illinois and virginia and would pick here hands down. In bay area of Ca,it never seemed real warm,just sorta damp,crowded,rent was your whole check,traffic-it took 3 hours to go 25 miles on expressway,no place to hunt,had to be about a millionaire to own a house,earthquake flattened expressway near our apt,had gas rationing. Virginia-crowded,had "special taxes"on your dam car every year,stupid commonwealth laws- ALL STORES WERE CLOSED BY LAW ON SUNDAYS(except auto parts store-go figure),nazi-cops,terrible traffic,Illinois-was actually alot like mich but just more crowded and more exspensive. I live in the country in Mich now,can hunt in backyard, closest neighbors are 1/2 mile away, was able to buy a beautiful farmhouse on 4 acres with 3 outbuildings,on of them 40X100 w full concrete floors for 100k,virtually no traffic unless i drive south to flint, still only 20 minutes outside of big towns. We boat,snowmobile,drag race and hunt at least 40 weeknds a year. I had alot of high school buddys move to fla only to return home after a few years because they couldn't make it on 6 bucks a hour in a right to work state ,most of them make a good living here making 15-25$ hour in union jobs,virtually unheard of in some states (like fla) unless your self-employed or hold a profesional degree.There are alot of nice places to live thruout the united states,i prefer michigan,Smitty
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Thanks for all the great pics! That snowmobilin' thing kinda grabs my attention! :cool:
Smitty, you're right. My wife and I actually DID grow up in Michigan outside of Detroit. That's why we have family up there. I thought I was rescued when my father got transferred to Hampton Roads, VA. I voed never to go back! :p |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Hey, we lost some posts after the "update"! :mad:
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
1 Attachment(s)
Here's what you have to look forward to, this is from a couple days ago....They were forecasting 1-2" of snow overnight and we ended up getting 5-6" so at 5am when i leave for work none of the roads not even the highway were plowed yet :eek: That's the down side to driving a long way to work.
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Damn, I haven't seen that much snow since..... :eek: How much snow does it take to get a day off around there? In Wash DC, a good fast 6" shuts the whole damn city down!
PS Nice pic! Is that a Ford you're driving? :rolleyes: |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
if you come to the grand rapids area (west) be sure to check out forest hills schools best in the area. forest hills eastern is were you kids go, it is great all new buildings
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
As a builder and developer in se michigan, I am glad to hear you are considering coming here! I was born and raised in Toledo and have raised a nice family and have enjoyed living in Bedford township for 30 years. Bedford consists of Temperance and Lambertville MI which border the Ohio line/Toledo.
This is a great area to live in and the job market is not as bad as some have said. Let me know if I can help you with anything if you decide to come this way. |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Thanks rc082819, I'll keep that in mind. :cool:
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Well, if you have to go there are some good and bad areas to be. We left to move to the Keys 2 1/2 years ago and love it. But we primarily lived on the west side of Detroit... Livonia, Farmington and Commerce Township area. It depends on where you want to be really. If you have a big boat, people tend to stay closer to Mt. Clemens area or down river (like one of the threads mentioned Gross Ile) If you have a smaller boat, there are alot of lakes out by Commerce Township and seems to be a growing area as well as Rochester. It all depends on where you have to work. If it is in Detroit, the drive sucks unless you live in Livonia or Northville (good schools). Good luck! One thing is for sure ... we miss family and friends (MS P) but not the winters!
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Its snow'in again up here in Mi. 15 today and 60 few days ago. I'm think'in about an old Airstream in a cheap park in Havasu!
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by woogie
Michael1 spanked us up perty good but TBO i think he held back a bit - forgot to mention the millions of seagulls that crap all over everything! :rolleyes:
Michael |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Here we go again! There are four posts missing from here just in the last 5 hours?!?! :mad:
Nice pic woogie! Must've been hard peddlin' that bike thru all the snow! Maybe we should check out the thread on "who has the best lift kit for a super duty"!! :evilb: |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Originally Posted by woogie
Its snow'in again up here in Mi. 15 today and 60 few days ago. I'm think'in about an old Airstream in a cheap park in Havasu!
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Does anyone ever go to the Grand Rapids Boat Show? Weird it only seems to be for one day! :eek:
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Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
0 degrees in michigan this morning.
I'd hurry up and move here :evilb: |
Re: Headed to MI, any suggestions or comments?
Like it's much better here in DC:
29°F -1°C 12°F -11°C FRI 29°F -1°C 16°F -8°C SAT 39°F 3°C 28°F -2°C SUN 40°F 4°C 30°F -1°C MON :eek: :eek: |
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