5 ms·

I just moved to a small town in Michigan from San Jose this week. I love the lack of traffic, my giant backyard and deck, how completely quiet and pitch black

by city41 6y ago

I just moved to a small town in Michigan from San Jose this week. I love the lack of traffic, my giant backyard and deck, how completely quiet and pitch black it is at night and that I have yet to meet a software developer. Nothing against devs, but getting out of the tech bubble is nice. I can go to Detroit, Chicago, the Great Lakes and many other places if I need a change of pace. Of course it’s only been a few days at this point, but very optimistic. We lived in San Jose for 5 years and it just was not for us despite trying really hard to learn to like it. I am still working for the same company.

DrJokepu 6y ago
I wonder if you’ll feel the same way after your first winter though
- wenc 6y ago
  I live in Chicago, and to be honest, it's not that bad if you own a car. (Chicago is relatively car friendly). Winters are harder for those who don't own a car -- and many don't, but they manage fine by just bundling up. Anecdotally one hears of people leaving Chicago for a warmer climate, but it's more common for people to leave the city to move to the suburbs (better schools) or to neighboring Indiana (lower COL) -- where there are no weather advantages. For most of us who live in the northern parts of North America, winter is something we're used to and is not the push factor so many believe it is (those who do see it as a push factor tend to be outspoken about it, so their voices are amplified, which skews perceptions). If winter was indeed that terrible, the northern North America would have been depopulated. But if you talk to the locals here, many would tell you they prefer to live in the north. (of course some won't but not as many as you would think)
  - DrJokepu 6y ago
    I live in rural Northeast so I’m fairly familiar with the weather. We had snow two weeks ago, which is just disrespectful. But I guess it’s all a matter of taste.
    - wenc 6y ago
      I feel you. I used to live in Quebec so I know what that's about. Chicago weather is tropical in comparison.
- city41 6y ago
  I grew up in the Midwest as did my wife. We are ok with winters. We’ve also lived in Denver and Chicago.
- refurb 6y ago
  I used to live in Western Michigan and the winters are surprisingly mild due to the winds from the West being warmed by Lake Michigan. It snows a lot, but it's often hovering around 32F, so the snow on the roads melts fast. A really cold day might 15F, but it's not that common. Summers are gorgeous and I miss them living in SF. Being able to go out in the evening in shorts while it hovers in the high 70's is fantastic. Super lush and green.
jdhn 6y ago
I'm curious as to why you moved back to MI. Was it a desire to be around family and/or friends? While I'm not a software developer, I feel that my options here are limited, and will be looking to potentially make a move next year.
- city41 6y ago
  We wanted a quieter, slower life. We researched a lot of places in the Midwest and south and Michigan came out ahead for us. We’re also right in the middle of my parents and wife’s parents. I plan to work remotely for the rest of my career, focusing on freelancing.
griffinkelly 6y ago
I grew up in Chicago and love it. A lot of people hate the winters but I welcome it--Ice hockey, cross country skiing, sledding.

by city41 6y ago

DrJokepu 6y ago

I wonder if you’ll feel the same way after your first winter though

wenc 6y ago
I live in Chicago, and to be honest, it's not that bad if you own a car. (Chicago is relatively car friendly). Winters are harder for those who don't own a car -- and many don't, but they manage fine by just bundling up. Anecdotally one hears of people leaving Chicago for a warmer climate, but it's more common for people to leave the city to move to the suburbs (better schools) or to neighboring Indiana (lower COL) -- where there are no weather advantages. For most of us who live in the northern parts of North America, winter is something we're used to and is not the push factor so many believe it is (those who do see it as a push factor tend to be outspoken about it, so their voices are amplified, which skews perceptions). If winter was indeed that terrible, the northern North America would have been depopulated. But if you talk to the locals here, many would tell you they prefer to live in the north. (of course some won't but not as many as you would think)
- DrJokepu 6y ago
  I live in rural Northeast so I’m fairly familiar with the weather. We had snow two weeks ago, which is just disrespectful. But I guess it’s all a matter of taste.
  - wenc 6y ago
    I feel you. I used to live in Quebec so I know what that's about. Chicago weather is tropical in comparison.
city41 6y ago
I grew up in the Midwest as did my wife. We are ok with winters. We’ve also lived in Denver and Chicago.
refurb 6y ago
I used to live in Western Michigan and the winters are surprisingly mild due to the winds from the West being warmed by Lake Michigan. It snows a lot, but it's often hovering around 32F, so the snow on the roads melts fast. A really cold day might 15F, but it's not that common. Summers are gorgeous and I miss them living in SF. Being able to go out in the evening in shorts while it hovers in the high 70's is fantastic. Super lush and green.

jdhn 6y ago

I'm curious as to why you moved back to MI. Was it a desire to be around family and/or friends? While I'm not a software developer, I feel that my options here are limited, and will be looking to potentially make a move next year.

city41 6y ago
We wanted a quieter, slower life. We researched a lot of places in the Midwest and south and Michigan came out ahead for us. We’re also right in the middle of my parents and wife’s parents. I plan to work remotely for the rest of my career, focusing on freelancing.

griffinkelly 6y ago

I grew up in Chicago and love it. A lot of people hate the winters but I welcome it--Ice hockey, cross country skiing, sledding.