Fill me in on Michigan!

[Sedan_Clan]

I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the Grand Rapids area, and I’ve considered buying property there. Despite being a native Californian who is currently living in Nevada (…and splitting my time between the two states because I’m still employed with a Southern California department), my plan is to get away from the west coast/southwest indefinitely.

I’m trying to gather some insight on Michigan life beyond what can be ascertained during periodic visits. What is the overall political climate like in Michigan? Is housing still afforadable? What about the law enforcement/community relations? Is there much of a car culture there?

[cmyx6go]

Michigan? You’re going to freeze your So CA ass off! I can’t offer anything other than it’s a Blue state. I used to go to Grand Rapids for business but that was years ago. Curious why there? A woman maybe?

[chassis]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the Grand Rapids area, and I’ve considered buying property there. Despite being a native Californian who is currently living in Nevada (…and splitting my time between the two states because I’m still employed with a Southern California department), my plan is to get away from the west coast/southwest indefinitely.

I’m trying to gather some insight on Michigan life beyond what can be ascertained during periodic visits. What is the overall political climate like in Michigan? Is housing still afforadable? What about the law enforcement/community relations? Is there much of a car culture there?

Summer in Michigan is paradise.

Winter in Michigan is the opposite of paradise. Grand Rapids area has a slightly colder and longer winter than metro Detroit. Winter gets a bit longer and colder the farther north one goes. In the northern lower peninsula, snow in late May is uncommon but not unusual.

Everything in Michigan is more affordable than California. Property on or near Lake Michigan is expensive as would be expected, for example Holland, Saugatuck, Grand Haven, South Haven. Lots of Chicago money on the west side of the state as it relates to vacation or second homes.

Car culture is good in southeast Michigan/metro Detroit. The whole state has a "car culture", but low density population outside of Grand Rapids and metro Detroit means it might not feel that way. C&C events in metro Detroit are everywhere during warmer weather months. Exotics, Corvettes and old Detroit muscle cars are everywhere during the 3 months per year of good weather.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

Michigan? You’re going to freeze your So CA ass off! I can’t offer anything other than it’s a Blue state. I used to go to Grand Rapids for business but that was years ago. Curious why there? A woman maybe?

Haha! I’m more of a cold(er) weather person. I don’t care for the heat here in California at all. Nevada heat is even worse, but Nevada is a freer state than California, so I’m happy for now. I would only go to New York or Louisiana for a woman.

Originally Posted by chassis

Summer in Michigan is paradise.

Winter in Michigan is the opposite of paradise. Grand Rapids area has a slightly colder and longer winter than metro Detroit. Winter gets a bit longer and colder the farther north one goes. In the northern lower peninsula, snow in late May is uncommon but not unusual.

Everything in Michigan is more affordable than California. Property on or near Lake Michigan is expensive as would be expected, for example Holland, Saugatuck, Grand Haven, South Haven. Lots of Chicago money on the west side of the state as it relates to vacation or second homes.

Car culture is good in southeast Michigan/metro Detroit. The whole state has a "car culture", but low density population outside of Grand Rapids and metro Detroit means it might not feel that way. C&C events in metro Detroit are everywhere during warmer weather months. Exotics, Corvettes and old Detroit muscle cars are everywhere during the 3 months per year of good weather.

Thanks for that insight. I’ll be hanging out in the upper peninsula later this year. I’ve heard it’s really nice. I do worry about getting ramrodded by an elk or deer on some of those desolate township roads though. Haha!

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by cmyx6go

Michigan? You’re going to freeze your So CA ass off! I can’t offer anything other than it’s a Blue state. I used to go to Grand Rapids for business but that was years ago. Curious why there? A woman maybe?

Like Illinois, Michigan is only blue because of Detroit. Most of the rest of the state is red. Likewise, Chicago affects the rest of its state. I think that can be said for many of the states with one large city in them. Regardless of your political leanings, Michigan is a beautiful state with lots of access to the Great Lakes and untouched wilderness. Summers are somewhat short, but pleasant. Of course the further North you go, the more mild it becomes. The UP is definitely a bucket list location. And I’d go before it gets too overly built up which is slowly happening. Lots of good schools and infrastructure. Decent economy particularly outside Detroit.

[2000cs]

Grattan, Waterford Hills; good fishing in the lakes and rivers, canoeing or kayaking, hiking. Wineries in the Traverse City area. Hell is there. Mackinac Island (no cars). Mosquitos. Lake-effect snow especially along Lake Michigan. Woodward Dream Cruise. Get a snow blower, heated garage with floor drain. Car people all over the state, and a surprising number of import classics hidden away. Ann Arbor trendy liberal college town but nice with good eats and a great summer outdoor art fair; East Lansing a dump but also a college town. Frequent winter flights to warm climates (FL, AZ, HI, etc)

[chassis]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Thanks for that insight. I’ll be hanging out in the upper peninsula later this year. I’ve heard it’s really nice. I do worry about getting ramrodded by an elk or deer on some of those desolate township roads though. Haha!

Deer are everywhere in Michigan, from relatively densely-populated metro Detroit suburbs, where they eat residential landscaping, to the upper peninsula, where they struggle to survive on cedars. Elk are sparse and found in a relatively small geographical area. They are a planted population from decades ago that has not particularly thrived.

Last week of July/first week of August in the northwest lower peninsula is arguably one of the best places to be in the country, from a weather, scenery and recreation point of view. Michigan has a large number of golf courses, from inexpensive public municipal courses to world class members-only clubs.

The upper peninsula is not a place to live imo, unless you are a Grizzly Adams type who knows what it is like to live rural and low density. You would need to come to peace with black flies, mosquitoes and 9 months of winter if you planned to live in the UP.

Fishing is good in Michigan, from inland lakes (bass, bluegill) to the Great Lakes (salmon, steelhead, walleye), to cold water trout streams.

[RockCrusher]

My experience in Michigan is old, circa 2002/2003.

Drove up through the middle of Wisconsin to the upper peninsula of Michigan. Oh, I was in my 2002 Boxster. Got on highway 2 heading east. Encountered a laser speed trap. Was not speeding and my trusty V1 alerted me.

Drove on east. Nice country. Not many people. Ended up spending the night at a hotel in Mackinaw City. Next day headed south and drove on out of Michigan.

Don't recall the time of year exactly, other than it was fall, and at some point I encountered light snow.

On another trip -- still circa 2002/2003 and in my VW Golf TDi -- I entered Michigan from Indiana via I84. All I remember is just inside the Michigan state line the road was rougher than all get out. And at least one Michigan State trooper with a radar was targeting vehicles as they crossed over into Michigan. Again I was not speeding and my V1 alerted me.

Then heading east out of Grand Rapids the V1 again alerted me to a radar speed trap ahead. Spotted an officer on an over pass working the gun.

Rest of the drive east to IIRC Lansing was uneventful. Then after a night in a hotel drove on south and home (to the KC MO area).

My take is the area, the state overall, is very nice. Lots of greenery and woods. Saw no deer but I'm sure they are around. (First trip up that way still in Wisconsin I encountered a bear that came out of the scrub on the left side of the road and ran across the road in front of my Boxster. I had plenty of time to slow down.)

At least in the southern portion of the roads I drove on the roads were kind of crummy. And oh the laser/radar speed traps...

[vreihen16]

If you think that drive-by shootings are bad in LA, wait until you drive through the heart of UAW country in a flashy German automobile not made in America by union labor.....

[Lady Jane]

I've crossed the Mackinaw Bridge a couple of times on tour with my bike in high winds having to ride the grate side. You can spend a lot of money on some of those "thrill rides" at amusement parks but nothing compares to that experience. I think they have a change of underwear station after you pay you toll.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

I've crossed the Mackinaw Bridge a couple of times on tour with my bike in high winds having to ride the grate side. You can spend a lot of money on some of those "thrill rides" at amusement parks but nothing compares to that experience. I think they have a change of underwear station after you pay you toll.

Try walking across the grated section of the Mackinac Bridge! The Bridge Walk is a popular annual event.

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by chassis

Try walking across the grated section of the Mackinac Bridge! The Bridge Walk is a popular annual event.

Just don't look down....

[mjj]

Traverse City in the summer is my family’s favorite place to vacation in the entire US. Ideal if someone could alternate with a place down south for six months.

[bvrider1]

I'm bias, I love it here in Michigan. Granted winters are not for everyone but that is what travel is for. Just go somewhere warm and get it out of your system. Snowboard, ski, cross country.... nothing else like peace and quite in the middle of winter.

[Sedan_Clan]

You ladies and gents are a great consortium of information. A lot to digest, but I have this thread as a favorite along with some P/M’s to refer back to. Keep the info and recommendations coming.

I will likely do the river float on the next trip (….which I presume is very similar to the river float in San Antonio). I went ax throwing last month while I was there. I felt like a black lumberjack Rick Grimes working on my back-up weapons option in case of a likely Walking Dead scenario.

[UncleWede]

You don't have to go to Michigan to throw axes, I'm pretty sure I can do it in Ventura.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

You don't have to go to Michigan to throw axes, I'm pretty sure I can do it in Ventura.

Haha! It was just something fun to try. I will not stay in California. No way in hell would I set myself up for lifelong frustration when I have the power and ability to avoid that. As it is, I’ve already moved to Nevada. I’m looking for more of a small town feel as I get older. I like peace and quiet despite enjoying the chaos of work at times. Seeing a person light themselves on fire or commit suicide by train is entertaining.

[chassis]

Tennessee, the Carolinas, rural OR or WA, AL, AR and GA are ruled out?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by chassis

Tennessee, the Carolinas, rural OR or WA, AL, AR and GA are ruled out?

Rural OR and parts of WA are tempting. I haven’t considered the Carolinas, AR, AL or GA though. A friend just moved to TN, but the bugs are horrid.

[2000cs]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Rural OR and parts of WA are tempting. I haven’t considered the Carolinas, AR, AL or GA though. A friend just moved to TN, but the bugs are horrid.

I live in TN, sent all the bugs here to your friend. None at our house.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

I live in TN, sent all the bugs here to your friend. None at our house.

Do you use the ammonia method to keep them at bay? Lots of Californians have relocated to TN recently.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Rural OR and parts of WA are tempting. I haven’t considered the Carolinas, AR, AL or GA though. A friend just moved to TN, but the bugs are horrid.

Yes, bugs are awful, stay in Nevada! Just kidding, it’s all relative to what you’re used to. Being from New Orleans the bugs in the Upstate of SC are nothing. From Cali and Nevada, you might be bothered by them.