A large portion of Michigan's economy depends on the automobile industry. First of all, breakfast cereals in Battle Creek provided some diversity. As a result, thousands of machine shops opened throughout the state, creating a significant industrial presence. Due to the state's reliance on industries, each recession has been felt more strongly in Texas than in other places, but it has also led to a greater level of resilience developing.
There are several pros and cons to living in Michigan. You can live in the city, move to the country, or live somewhere in between. When you are in this state, you can drive toward any goal you desire.
Here is a list of the pros of living in Michigan:
1. Michigan offers small-town living at its finest
Michigan has several small towns where you can settle down and raise a family without experiencing the typical worries of a big city. While some of these areas are located in the southern regions, you'll also find many options to consider if you decide to move to the Upper Peninsula. In addition, there is access to three different Great Lakes, protected forest areas, and the rural regions to all homes.
Copper Harbor is an excellent example of this concept. This area of Grant Township is right along the shores of Lake Superior and is home to about 100 people. I love its tranquility and rural setting, which gives me the freedom to carve out any life I like.
2. Michigan offers urban living opportunities
Over 700,000 people live in Detroit today, making it one of the most popular urban cities in the country. Sterling Heights, however, is an exception to this trend, as the population has decreased in most of the largest cities since 2000. The 40,000 to 80,000 population range contains dozens of communities, so you can find the exact level of urban living you want. It is a nice treat to live in a small town with downtown apartments and is not overrun by crowds.
On the other hand, some things may disappoint you while in Michigan. So here are some cons of the state:
1. You get some lake effect snow every year
Since the Great Lakes surround Michigan, it feels like living in a coastal region. Even the large ships that pass by give you a sense of the sea, and the lighthouses are worth taking the family to see. Unfortunately, having so much water nearby also means that you're going to get plenty of lake effect snow during the winter. The snow creates a beautiful scene, but it can also lock down a community for days at a time.
The effects of this disadvantage are even more severe in the Upper Peninsula. A record-high snowfall, almost 400 inches, was reached in 1978-79 in Calumet. There are over 187 inches of snow on average each year in Calumet.
2. Michigan's beaches are packed with tourists every summer
The only beaches you can find in the Midwest are those around the Great Lakes. A few state parks and smaller bodies of water allow for some sand, but not as much as larger freshwater lakes. Consequently, tourism might be good for communities economically, but the sand will also be littered with people, supplies, and trash.
If you live in Michigan, you will want some quiet time at the beach. Unfortunately, you won't see a lot of alone time since that only happens during the winter when the snow falls.
Bonus: Here are more fun facts about Michigan:
- The oldest county (based on the date of incorporation) is Wayne in 1815.
- Sault Ste. Father Jacques Marquette founded Marie in 1668. It is the third oldest remaining settlement in the United States.
- In 1817 the University of Michigan was the first university established by any of the states. Originally named Cathelepistemian and located in Detroit, the name was changed in 1821. The university moved to Ann Arbor in 1841.
- The city of Novi was named from its designation as Stagecoach Stop # 6 or No. VI.
- Michigan State University has the most significant single-campus student body of any Michigan university. It is the largest institution of higher learning in the state and one of the largest universities in the country.
- Michigan State University was founded in 1855 as the nation's first land-grant university and served as the prototype for 69 land-grant institutions later established under the Morrill Act of 1862. It was the first institution of higher learning in the nation to teach scientific agriculture.
- The largest village in Michigan is Caro.
- Michigan's state stone, The Petoskey, is the official state stone. It is found along the shores of Lake Michigan.
- The Mackinac Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Connecting the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan, it spans 5 miles over the Straits of Mackinac, which is where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. The Mighty Mac took three years to complete and was opened to traffic in 1957.
- Gerald R. Ford grew up in Grand Rapids and became the 38th president of the United States. He attended the University of Michigan, where he was a football star. He served on a World War II aircraft carrier and afterward represented Michigan in Congress for 24 years. He was also was an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.
How was your experience in Michigan? Please let us know by commenting on them below!
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan
https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/search/best-places-for-families/s/michigan/
https://www.michiganseagrant.org/lessons/lessons/by-broad-concept/earth-science/lake-effect-snow/
https://www.50states.com/facts/michigan.htm