If you’re planning a long distance move from California to Michigan, it helps to have a better understanding of what the new state you’ll be calling home is like. Read on to see what you can expect from Michigan in terms of employment, culture, weather, and more.
Geography
Michigan is located on the upper Midwest region of the United States. It is bordered by Wisconsin and Minnesota to the west, Chicago to the northwest, Indiana and Ohio to the South, and Ontario (Canada) to the north and to the east. The capital of Michigan is Lansing which is centrally located but its biggest city is Detroit which lies on the eastern border. Michigan is surrounded by Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie, hence the apt name – The Great Lakes State.
Security
Michigan has a low crime rate across the board. However this is not to say that there are no crime ‘pockets’ in some urban metros. There are parts of Michigan such as in Detroit where crime and social vices such as drugs are an issue.
Cost of living
The cost of living in MI is low, which is one of the reasons why it is so attractive to some Californians. Housing, food, and entertainment are quite affordable here. Of course, this varies from city to city. There are general areas such as Lansing and Detroit and there are richer suburbs like Birmingham and Ferndale that are pricier.
Jobs
There are good job opportunities here even though the economy has had its challenges since the recession. The unemployment rate is at 4% which is not so bad. The leading sectors of the economy here are manufacturing and engineering, food & agriculture, and Research and development.
The auto industry is huge here. So is tourism and agriculture (fruits, horticulture, and sugar).
Still, white collar jobs are not very abundant.
Education
The state has one of the best public education ratings in the country. The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University are all key leaders nationally when it comes to research and development.
Weather
Michigan experiences heavy snow and cold temperatures during winter. Summers enjoy a warm climate due to the lakes. But that also means heavy rainfall as well, especially during Fall.
Tornadoes are also rampant in the south.
Culture & entertainment
MI has a fairly culturally-diverse population.
Economic inequalities along racial lines do exist and there are minority pockets of supremacist and conservative groups that are not very friendly or open-minded. However, the majority of the population is alright.
You can enjoy dining out in most metro areas. Steak and barbecues are a staple here. Also make sure to try local craft beers.
For outdoor fun you can try fishing, forest hiking, and camping, among others.
Politics
Michigan is politically a swing state. This means voters can go either way – blue or red. Granted, there are political issues here seeing how the state has its economic struggles.
On the positive, taxes here are much lower than in California, State income tax is at 4.25%, sales tax is 6%, and property tax is 1.64% (avg.).
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Get in touch with us at GPS Moving if you decide to make the long distance move from California to Michigan. We offer moving advice, packing, and loading services too!
