Thinking about living in Michigan?
If so, youre in good hands.
Home to a population of 10 million residents, Michigan is the 10th most populous state.
Pros & Cons of Living in Michigan | (Shutterstock/ehrlif)
But its not all sunshine and rainbows in Michigan, hell, we get some nasty blizzards too.
Dont hesitate to reach out with questions, Id love to help!
So what does this mean for everyday life in Michigan?
Well, expect to come across friendly and self-sufficient locals.
Dont expect things to happen quickly, but expect kindness during the constant hurdles.
#2.
Lake Superior is a sight to behold.
Hell, Id argue that being close to the lake is the biggest perk of moving to Michigan.
Lake aside, theres so many other great recreation to be had.
Rugged, remote, and breathtakingly beautiful, Michigans Upper Peninsula is the crown jewel of the state.
Locals and visitors alike make the trek north to experience this gem firsthand.
The most popular activities include hiking (those waterfalls!
#3.
One of the biggest factors that convinced me to move was the affordable housing market.
Dont just take my word for it, Michigan has some of themost affordable homes in the country.
#4.
Its hard to explain the extent of the hospitality Ive experienced while living in Michigan.
Everyone is eager to help and everybody feels neighborly.
Ive never experienced anything like it and (at this point) refuse to leave because of it.
#5.
The advantages to living in an affordable state are numerous!
For starters, you get to enjoy more because you’ve got the option to afford more.
#6.
The craft beer scene
Something I didnt realize until moving to Michigan is our top-notch craft brew scene.
Turns out we have some of thebest beer in the country!
Home to more than 350 breweries, youll be spoiled for choice.
Heck, we have more than 150 wineries in state!
Locals Tip:Partake in theLake Michigan Shore Wine Trailto see what all the fuss is about.
#8.
Worth noting: We do get nasty snow blizzards.
But heck, Id take blizzards over tornadoes and wildfires any day of the year.
Cons of Living in Michigan
#1.
The BRUTAL winters while living in Michigan
Lets not sugarcoat it, winters in Michigan suck.
Theyre the worst part of living in Michigan by far.
Seriously, nothing comes close.
Even if you think you enjoy snow, youll find yourself questioning everything you thought you knew about yourself.
Were not just talking about snow, were talking about limb-numbing temperatures from late November through mid-March.
Whats more, blizzards are not uncommon, but thankfully they keep regular office hours.
Youll hear mention of the Lake Effect often when living in Michigan, so allow me to elaborate.
This causes water from the lake to evaporate which later turns into snow as it cools.
#2.
Our road conditions are so terrible, I hardly know where to begin.
First, it feels like construction never ends.
#3.
Theyre off the charts, seriously.
For example, a recent study found that Detroit has thehighest car insurance rates in the country.
So factor those rates into your cost of living in Michigan, because it adds up.
Michigan is a no-fault state, which means your rates may go up even if youre not at fault.
Its a tad technical,it’s possible for you to learn more here.
#4.
Lets talk about Detroit
Alright, lets talk about the elephant in the room.
Especially when considering more 600,000+ people ended up is living in Detroit after moving to Michigan.
Personally speaking, I originally moved to Detroit but ended up lasting less than two years.
It was way too stressful and I found myself getting paranoid too often (especially in the evenings).
#5.
It will mostly likely be a hard adjustments for those moving to Michigan from milder climates.
The logic is sound though, the Great Lake State is surrounded by … lakes.
Lots of water + hot temperatures = humidity.
And you know what thrives in humidity?
Which brings me to my next point.
#6.
The mosquitoes (mercy!)
You know what loves water more than the residents of Michigan?
The mosquitos, and those things will defend the water like its their job.
These things will eat you alive.
It doesnt matter what you do, mosquitoes will become a part of your daily life in Michigan.
Also, if youre dreaming of long summer meals on the porch while living in Michigan, think again.
Youll need a screen porch for that to be remotely possible.
FAQs Retiring in Michigan
Is Michigan a good place to live?
However, the brutal winters are not to be trifled with and can drive you up the wall.
If youre prone to seasonal depression, Michigan may not be the place for you.
Is Michigan a good place to retire?
In terms of taxes, Im happy to report that Social Security income is not taxed.
Is marijuana legal in Michigan?
As of November 2018, recreational marijuana use is legal in Michigan.
