Living in Michigan

The Great Lakes State (with a population of around 10 million people) has so much to offer.  For example….

Affordable Housing  The average home price in the United States in June 2021 was $293,349 (according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis).  However, the average home price in Michigan was only $208,337, making Michigan one of the more affordable states in which to buy a house.  Get in touch and I'll be happy to get you started!    

Lower Cost of Living   Nationally, Michigan ranks fourth among states with the lowest cost of living, at about 10% below the national average.  Michigan residents on average spend less on groceries, health, housing, and utilities than most other states.

Four Seasons  You'll get to experience all four seasons in Michigan.  Warm, lush summers and crisp, colorful autumns.  We get snow in winter, and then we welcome spring's warm promise of what's to come again.  

Outdoor Lifestyle   More than half of Michigan is covered by forests. You can enjoy hiking or biking on Michigan's 13,000 miles of state trails or fishing in one of Michigan's 11,000 lakes.  That's right - Minnesota isn't the only state with more than 10,000 lakes, we just like to keep good fishing spots to ourselves.   Michigan ranks in the top three states when it comes to boat registrations.  With a Recreation Passport ($12 annually with your license plate registration renewal), Michigan motorists have access to the state's many state parks, boat launches, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, and non-motorized trail parking. 

Stunning Landscapes.  One state with two peninsulas, Michigan is surrounded by beauty.  Bordering on four of the five great lakes and with over 100 state parks and recreation areas, a beautiful view is always nearby.  In Michigan, you are never more than six miles away from a body of water, whether it's a river or lake.  Some of Michigan's favorite natural destinations include Pictured Rocks Lakeshore, Tahquamenon Falls, Porcupine Mountains, Isle Royale, Manitou Island, the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, and Sleeping Bear Dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Great Lakes   The Great Lakes contain one-fifth of the world's fresh water supply.  While in Michigan you are never more than 85 miles from a Great Lake.  We have 3,288 miles of shoreline along four of the five Great Lakes:  Superior, Huron, Erie, and Michigan, with dozens of lighthouses standing sentinel.  Michigan has the most freshwater coastline of any U.S. state, with over 80 public harbors, more than 400 private marinas, and over 1300 public boat launches. 

Great Schools  From local school districts, charter schools, private and parochial schools, to its many universities, Michigan schools are some of the best.  Michigan has ninety-three colleges and universities, including seven medical schools and five law schools.  The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Michigan Technical University, University of Detroit Mercy, Central Michigan University, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University are just some of the state's top schools. 

Uniquely Michigan  The Coney Dog was invented here.  "Detroit Style" pizza is now a national thing.  The state has a growing craft beer scene.  Michigan has wine country.  You can visit Little Bavaria in Frankenmuth.  Enjoy a Tulip Festival in Holland.  Step back in time on Mackinac Island.   

History  From the region's Native American heritage to Michigan's extensive contribution to industrial development, Michigan has something for every history buff.  Michigan became the 26th state to join the Union on January 26, 1837, but Michigan has been making history long before this.  There are many world-class museums and historical destinations throughout the state.  The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, the Michigan History Museum in Lansing, the U of M Museum of Natural History, the Detroit Historical Museum, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Motown Museum are just a few. 

World-Class Art  Michigan is home to some of the nation's most respected art museums.  The Detroit Institute of Arts, the Flint Institute of Arts, Cranbrook Art Museum, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, plus dozens of additional art museums and galleries featuring local, national and international artists. 

Innovators   Albert Kahn, architect.  Mary Chase Perry Stratton, ceramic artist, Anna Sui, clothing designer.  William Boeing, aviation pioneer.  Louis Chevrolet, automaker.  Henry Ford, automaker.  The Dodge Brothers, automakers.  Ransom E. Olds, automaker. Mike Illitch, pizza genius.  W.K. Kellogg, food industrialist.  Tom Monaghan, pizza genius.  C.W. Post, food industrialist.  Berry Gordy, Jr., music producer.  Robert Jarvik, medical inventor.  Aretha Franklin, queen of soul.  Smokey Robinson, musical artist.  Diana Ross, musical artist.  Jonas Salk, virologist.  This is just a small list of the many notable men and women who were either born or lived in Michigan. 

Industry  Michigan is the epicenter of the global automotive industry and continues to innovate by leading connected autonomous vehicle development which will transform global mobility.  Michigan's manufacturing prowess and reputation make the state a top-tier location for medical device development and manufacturing and Michigan is home to over 500 medical device manufacturers, supported by a robust manufacturing supply chain of more than 14,000 facilities throughout the state.  Michigan is taking a leading role and developing innovative strategies for protecting the cybersecurity of systems and people.  Michigan's health care industry has a total economic impact of $65 billion per year - greater than any other industry in the state.  More than 600 aerospace-related companies call Michigan home thanks to materials research facilities, major tooling companies, and nationally ranked engineering universities.  Agribusiness is the state's second-largest industry, and second in diversity only to California. 

Major League Sports Teams   Detroit is one of only thirteen U.S. cities with sports teams competing in the four major leagues.  The Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons, and Detroit Red Wings represent Michigan in baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. 

Festivals   Michigan loves its annual festivals, and you'll find something to represent every interest.  For example, there's Tulip Time in Holland, Zehnder's Snowfest in Frankenmuth, the National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City, the Alma Highland Festival, Trenton's Roar on the River, and the Ida Festival and Parade of Lights.  Plus you'll find so many more festivals, fairs, and celebrations throughout the year. 

Big Cities  Michigan's largest cities are Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Ann Arbor, Flint, Dearborn, Livonia, and Troy. 

Small Towns  If the big city life isn't for you, you'll find hundreds of small towns in Michigan.  If wide-open fields and cows are your thing, you'll find over 50,000 farms in Michigan, which is why Michigan ranks #2 in agricultural diversity. You'll find great things in small towns, too.  We love our farmer's markets, apple orchards, strawberry farms, pumpkin picking, and Christmas tree farms. 

You'll love living here! 

Considering a move to Michigan?  Get in touch - I'm happy to get you started!