Thinking about relocating to Michigan. Thoughts?

[Randyzzz]

Hi all. Looks like we might have a bite on our place, and we are considering relocating to Michigan. We currently live in Oregon and the anti-gun atmosphere is getting suffocating. Any thoughts on Michigan, pros or cons? We are looking at the west side by Ludington and thereabouts. Other interests include Jeeps and horses. I’d appreciate any input you might have.

[Vaquero]

Good luck on the sale and move.
I know absolutely nothing about Michigan.

RP

[Sir Henry]

I sold my home in the Seattle area last November and moved to Wisconsin in February of this year. I used zillo to search homes because it was easy to search and gave the most information. I liked the satellite searches because I could see what was around the neighborhood. In a few cases I found a nice place only to discover it was a mile from an airport or major railroad terminal.

I used the link below to find out the demographics of the area. It’s currently set to Ogema but you can easily change it. I changed it hundreds of time until I settled on an area.

https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/zip- ... gema/54459

I love it here in Ogema, WI yet would hate it in Madison. I bet you can find the perfect home somewhere in Michigan yet might not like Detroit.

Lists the kinds of things that are important to you. What might be perfect for us might not be what you are looking for. That is the one criticism I have when I was looking and posting.

Good luck with your move.

[Ernie]

The west side around Lake Michigan is pretty decent. Have not spent any time around Ludington ( I live south ) but the people in that area are independent and conservative. Lots of lakes and outdoor activities. I was born in the state and although I have moved around I kept coming back here. Concealed carry requires and 8 hour class and the permit must be renewed every 5 years but is accepted in a lot of states. Auto insurance rates are the highest in the nation I believe due to the No Fault Insurance and the populace have been trying to change that law for years. The U P (upper Peninsula ) is beautiful but there is not much industry there for employment. Detroit area should be avoided completely as far as I am concerned.

[markiver54]

There are some beautiful areas in Michigan. I lived in the Chicago area for 20 years and have spent a lot of time in Michigan. You might check out Leelanau county...beautiful!
I must say though, your interest in Jeeps would serve you well as they get heaps of snow. Good luck with your search and welcome to the forum Randy.

[Redthies]

Hi all. Looks like we might have a bite on our place, and we are considering relocating to Michigan. We currently live in Oregon and the anti-gun atmosphere is getting suffocating. Any thoughts on Michigan, pros or cons? We are looking at the west side by Ludington and thereabouts. Other interests include Jeeps and horses. I’d appreciate any input you might have.

<Cough cough>. Wyoming or Montana.

[polsjeff@gmail.com]

I've lived in West Michigan for 25 years. Newaygo is one of the last refuges of liberty in the USA! God, Country, Family and guns are assumed and welcomed here!

[fortyshooter]

Do you have family there and if not check out Tennesse! If I had to move from Va. that's where I would go.

[Luv the lever]

54 and have spent my life between the large city at the southwest tip of Lake Michigan and Berrien County Michigan. We've been avid snowmobilers since childhood and have spent time throughout the state. The Western Shore from New Buffalo to Petosky gets snow, lots and lots of snow from the prevailing winds off the Lake.

As most states 2-3 counties control the political landscape but in Michigan there is a very strong pushback against the left leaning counties who elect governors and Senators. The people are as rugged as the landscape, strong and independent. It is a beautiful state from top to bottom!

Insurance cost more but it is no fault with very high minimum coverages. Taxes are not terrible, not the most friendly retirement state but not the worst either.

Spent a week in Detroit 2 years ago for Girls Volleyball National Championships and we could not have been more surprised. In the mid 90's I worked for a tournament ski boat manufacturer leading us to boat shows all over including Detroit. The difference between the early 90's and today is unbelievable! Huge turn for the better.

[Redthies]

Other interests include Jeeps and horses.

This has me thinking Colorado too, but I’m not sure on the politics there as pertains to guns. Hence my previous suggestion of Montana or Wyoming. What is the draw to Michigan?

I’ve never been there, and I’m sure it’s a beautiful state, but as a life long westerner, I’m not sure I could make the move that Far East, unless I went whole hog and went to somewhere coastal like Maine or Georgia. My wife used to live in Macon and figures I would love it there. Unless you need to move to a specific area for work or family, there are so many great places to consider.

[Sir Henry]

Cost of living was on my list of things that was important to me. Number one was being able to shoot on my own property. I looked at Montana and found a lot of restrictions on shooting. A lot of places had Restrictions coming from the HOA’s and home values were high.

Here in the north woods there are no restrictions and home values are low, crime is low, and income is middle. Sales tax is low and state income tax is low for me as most of my income is tax exempt. Property tax rates are high yet because of the low real estate values I pay very little compared to Washington. I paid 18% of my selling price for a home here in Wisconsin.

I bet you will find it similar in Michigan.

[BrokenolMarine]

I posted a reply a few days ago, but it didn't post...

When we decided to move from VA, we looked at several states, and chose Oklahoma for a number of reasons, the three main reasons were a daughter lived there. Their treatment of Veterans, and 2A stance. Then it was a matter of finding the property we wanted. Oklahoma had good land values at the time and we wanted to get the most for our dollar as well. We wanted a rural property with a minimum of 20 acres.

As we started looking, we made sure we checked out a number of things, we did our research.
* Looked at the crime stats for the specific area the homes were located in.
* Demographics - Gives you a feel for the area
* Looked at employment opportunities. We were both retired, but lack of employment often drives crime stats.
* Google Satellite View - You can see a lot on that view that the photos in the ad won't show.
* Wow - is that a Junk Yard on the other side of the trees at the back of the property line. Noise, dust, and high traffic.
* Trains running along the tracks 1/4 mile away? Carries a long way at night.
* Trash and debris along the approaches to the new property... is that what you want to look at every time you drive to and from the house.
* Overview of the area tells a huge story.
* Location of medical and shopping vs. population density; what matters to you.

We had a dozen houses on our list, we narrowed them down to six. Tina drove out and looked at them. Narrowed that down to two and made an offer on one. We are in the middle of nowhere. Love it here. Shopping, 30 minutes to an hour depending on what you are looking for. VA hospital is 90 minutes but clinic is 20. I'm good.

[markiver54]

Excellent words of wisdom.