Two Michigan cities occupy the most violent and 2nd most violent lists.

[FaithManor]

And Saginaw occupied the FBI most violent city per capita position in 2010 and it really hasn't improved.

 

I weep. I don't know what can be done for this state anymore. Maybe there isn't anything.

 

Detroit's unemployment rate for 2012 was over 18%.

 

How far can a state fall? Maybe Wisconsin should take the U.P., and Ohio and Indiana should split the lower P in half. We don't seem to be capable of pulling ourselves out of the muck.

 

I can't wait for DH to retire so we can get out of Michigan.

 

Faith

[Leav97]

Given Wisconsin's current path downward, I don't think that would be a good thing.

[4everHis]

Sad isn't it Faith? There is so much beauty in this state but sometimes it seems the bad outweighs the good. . . .by a lot.

[SpecialClassical]

I love Michigan. It is a beautiful state full of farms, forests,gorgeous beaches, and wonderful people. (In fact, I've always thought you would be a great WTM mom to meet!)

 

I am sorry things are so bleak in your area, but they aren't like that in the whole state. I do wish we could all get on board with a bi-partisan effort to address the most pressing issues: the economy and education. I don't know what can be done about the culture of violence in some cities. Saginaw was fairly close-by growing up and it was scary then,too.

 

Living here in Central and West Michigan my whole life has biased me for sure.

 

 

 

 

[ElizabethB]

:grouphug:

 

What number is East St Louis?

[Tita Gidge]

:(

 

How long do you have before you can leave, Faith?

[FaithManor]

:(

 

How long do you have before you can leave, Faith?

 

 

Sigh our best guess is five years IF the elderly relatives we are responsible for will go too. If not, probably ten. The reality is that my parents and DH's mother are having the kind of health problems that would indicate that they will not be around for another decade - the statistics are heavily weighted against them.

 

Dad would be the hardest to move. The moms would pick up and go with us I think. Especially my mom due to the fact that my brother thankfully woke up to what is happening in his home with his wife dropping the ball VERY SERIOUSLY in terms of homeschooling their daughter, and has enrolled her in an arts and sciences magnet school that is a rather stout commute from here. They are looking at short selling their place and renting closer in which means she won't have my brother or young niece to feel she is leaving. My sister already lives out of state and isn't home much due to work and grad school.

 

When we bought this place we thought it would be our forever home. Now with kids growing up, going off to college, one married and about to move to western New Jersey, and the prospects that the others will not be able to find employment in their fields here, it feels like this isn't home anymore. The kids are probably going to spread out. We'd like to be better set to travel to see them, and live in a better economy so when dh leaves the corporate rat race, he'll be able to pick up part-time work doing the things he loves....woodworking, custom software for smaller businesses, and CC and trades teaching. I can pick up and go with my music and with my quilting. The boys, though not graduated from high school yet, asked the other day if we could just move now.

 

Of course, part of the discontent is just this particular area. There are some cultural, micro-culture things that are going on which only magnifies our growing dislike of where we live.

 

Just venting...general discontent and heartbreak for my home state and neighborhood. It used to be such a vibrant place to live.

 

Faith

[plath]

I love Michigan. It is a beautiful state full of farms, forests,gorgeous beaches, and wonderful people. (In fact, I've always thought you would be a great WTM mom to meet!)

 

I am sorry things are so bleak in your area, but they aren't like that in the whole state. I do wish we could all get on board with a bi-partisan effort to address the most pressing issues: the economy and education. I don't know what can be done about the culture of violence in some cities.

 

 

I agree and I happen to be living in the "country" of metro-Detroit. I both love and am saddened by Michigan. The city of Detroit is in such a sad state.

[jennynd]

I had great memory live in MI. I worked about 3 yrs over GM on Mound rd. (10 mins drive you are in Detroit) I loved the crazy U turn, I loved the summerset mall, I loved UP and their cherry festival. The greek down, ....It was over 10 years ago, but I do enjoyed the time lived there. (Other than the crapy road)

[MomtoCandJ]

I feel ya, we moved because of the bad economy but ended up moving back. Dh is doing better now, great paying job that is pretty secure. He did have insurance but that is now being canceled due to a 40% increase. I haven't worked since we have moved back 2 years ago, couldn't find a job that paid enough to cover child care or one that worked around Dh's schedule. But it's fine now, we are near family again :) Our area is safe but have family that we are constantly concerned about