What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Michigan?

Up in the Midwest and tucked into the Great Lakes, you’ll find a snowy slice of America that millions call home. It’s known as the Wolverine State to many and the Mitten State as well. Of course, we are talking about none other than the state of Michigan.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to become a Michigan resident? Let us tell you more about what you can expect.

The positive aspects of living in Michigan include access to affordable homes and the terrific outdoor environments there. It’s also a state that will appeal to sports fans. Not everyone is a fan of how snowy Michigan gets, however.

Learn more about what Michigan has to offer as a potential home state by continuing with this article. By the end of this article, you will know clearly if moving there will work out for you.

Let’s start discussing the positive aspects of being a Michigan resident by focusing first on cost of living expenses. To put it simply, the cost of living expenses in Michigan are very budget-friendly.

If you’re looking to buy a new home, the ones in Michigan are reasonably priced. The median price for a new home in Michigan is around $150,000. That’s way below the median price for the rest of the country which is $231,000.

Even in some of the bigger cities such as Grand Rapids, homes remain very affordable. You will have a wide selection of properties to choose from if you have some money saved up.

New residents can save money on more than just their home purchases though. The other cost of living expenses in Michigan remain well within the realm of being affordable. Whether you’re looking at groceries, healthcare-related expenses, or utility bills, they’re all relatively inexpensive in Michigan.

Transportation-related expenses are more expensive in Michigan though. You may want to purchase your own car early on so you can avoid spending too much while moving around town.

Aside from the Wolverine State and the Mitten State, there’s another nickname closely associated with Michigan. Some folks also call Michigan the Great Lakes State because those bodies of water define the appearance of the area.

Check out the Great Lakes nearby whenever you have free time. The ones that are easiest to access include Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior. The coastlines near those major bodies of water are favorite hangout spots for many residents. Spots we specifically want to mention here are the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

The word stunning somehow still doesn’t capture the beauty of those areas well enough. You’ll just have to see them for yourself after moving to Michigan. They are also perfect spots for camping, hiking, or kayaking if you’re into those outdoor activities.

Although we’ve highlighted the Great Lakes and the areas close to them, you should know that Michigan has more to offer. Head north if you want to check out the Porcupine Mountains. Go in the opposite direction and you’ll stumble upon Michigan’s beautiful beaches.

There are also some unique natural attractions worth going out of your way for as well. The Black Rocks in Marquette and Fisherman’s Island State Park deserve to be included in any list of top Michigan attractions.

Folks who enjoy being outdoors will absolutely love their time in Michigan. If you’re one of them, it may be time to start looking for a home to purchase.

Sports fans who live in Michigan are spoiled with options. That’s especially true if you live in Detroit.

Detroit is among the few cities in the country that’s represented by a pro team in the four major sports leagues. The city is represented in Major League Baseball by the Tigers and in the National Basketball Association by the Pistons. They’re also represented by the Lions in the National Football League and by the Red Wings in the National Hockey League.

Collegiate sports are also huge in Michigan. You’ll routinely see stadiums and arenas packed with students and alumni cheering for their alma mater. It takes a lot of people to fill some of those stadiums as well.

Motorsports also come to Michigan regularly. Head over to the Michigan International Speedway if you want to see some exciting races.

The Michigan sports scene is full of variety. Fill up your calendar with games and races to attend if you so choose.

Over the course of a year, you expect to experience the seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Depending on where you live though, that may not always be the case. Sometimes, it feels like you only experience wet and dry seasons. Other states have seemingly endless summers or winters.

What makes living in Michigan better from that standpoint is that you get to experience the four seasons in full. Winter gives way to spring, which in turn warms up to summer, and then fall takes hold before the cycle repeats.

Experiencing the weather that way is refreshing. You can even change up your wardrobe as appropriate.

We just talked about how nice it is to experience the four distinct seasons in Michigan. Still, there is a downside to that. You see, winters in Michigan can be very rough. Annual snowfall in the state exceeds 60 inches. That’s more than double the amount of average snowfall for the country.

Part of the reason why winters in Michigan are so harsh is a phenomenon known as Lake Effect Snow. Lake Effect Snow is the result of cold air from the north passing over the warmer Great Lakes. The warm air coming from the lakes moves up into the atmosphere to create clouds that then dump snow nearby.

Lake Effect Snow can have a huge impact on conditions in Michigan. It can cause about two to three inches of snowfall every hour. The winter season also has a tendency to run long in the Mitten State. That means you’re getting more snow in the forecast.

So, what can you do about all that snow? Purchasing appropriate winter gear is basically a must. The same can be said for running your home heater. You will also want to look into purchasing a snowblower or a shovel at the very least. Moving your vehicle out of the driveway may not be possible without those pieces of equipment.

If you’re hoping for snow days, you may end up disappointed quite often. Snow days don’t get declared often in Michigan.

Many residents are so used to the heavy snow that they just work through it. You may have to learn how to do that as well.

We’re not done talking about the weather just yet. One more negative aspect of living in Michigan is the unpredictable weather.

It doesn’t matter how sunny it looks outside when you’re heading to work, you should still pack an umbrella. By the time you’re heading out for lunch, heavy rain may already be falling. Always take your umbrella and avoid making a mistake that many new residents commit.

The unpredictable weather is also annoying because it can mess up your plans. Instead of getting to watch a game at Comerica Park, you may have to stay home because it got rained out.

You also cannot forget about how that kind of weather can affect your body. The changing weather conditions can wreak havoc on your health and cause you to get sick.

Related Questions

What Are Some Famous Michigan Foods?

Carve out time for a food trip after you finally complete your move to Michigan. There are food items there that you absolutely need to try.Pasties are staples of the Michigan diet. These hand pies are packed with meat and they can serve as a satisfying meal in the middle of a workday.Pizza also looks different as they often come in a rectangular shape. The rectangular form of the pizza makes it easier to divide. More people also get those crispy corners that are always highly coveted.You also need to try the seafood in Michigan. Some of the freshest seafood dishes you’ll ever eat are served in restaurants throughout the state. No matter how Michigan seafood is prepared, it always turns out great.

Is Michigan Considered a Swing State?

Michigan has a reputation for being a swing state in general elections. Because of that, many campaigns often visit the state before and during election years.Campaigns visiting Michigan can impact traffic significantly. Tensions also often rise during election years in Michigan. You need to prepare for election season in Michigan because the state takes on a different atmosphere during that time.