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(I'm in tech and I have been since 2004, starting to work remotely in 2008.) It took me 35 years to escape the hell that is Michigan. From the economy to the we

(I'm in tech and I have been since 2004, starting to work remotely in 2008.) It took me 35 years to escape the hell that is Michigan. From the economy to the weather to societal issues to the fickle politics - Michigan is a backwards state constantly mired in the economics of the industry that brought it to prominence. The business policies aren't conducive to starting businesses in the state, and there is a constant pull of talent to the northeast, west, and south. And for good reason! Cost of living, average salary, and mobility are consistently behind other states. It's always going to be an aggro and automotive state, and nothing is going to change that. I spent decades defending Detroit and the state, only to realize once I finally left that I had been insanely myopic. These fluff pieces irritate the snot out of me. I get that they're trying to promote a new potential economy. I wish them the best. However, I encourage anyone I can to leave and seek a better life. Because a better life exists in an increasing number of alternative places.

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bumby 5y ago
>backwards state constantly mired in the economics of the industry Can you talk more on this? Just curious your perspective. I would disagree with your sentiment about cost-of-living, especially. Particularly with housing costs and taxes, Michigan seems much better than other states.
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- jdhn 5y ago
  Property taxes in Michigan are unexpectedly high, and car insurance costs are VERY high. I believe Michigan is the most expensive or second most expensive state to have car insurance in. That's before you live in Detroit. If you live in Detroit, your car insurance will probably increase by anywhere from 75% to 100% from what you were paying in the suburbs. Your property tax in Detroit will also be very high as well as they basically max out the state allotted county property tax. Housing prices overall are lower than other states outside of places like Ann Arbor. If you like the idea of living in a college town like Ann Arbor, be prepared to shell out.
  - bumby 5y ago
    Definitely agree on the auto insurance. It’s my understanding it’s an artifact of the no-fault insurance policy but that may not be the whole story. The lack of great public transit makes it worse because there’s little option because it’s such a car-centric region. I also agree that AA is expensive, but I think that’s in part due to the affluent populace of the college. If you’re willing to forgo the status of living in Ann Arbor, reasonable housing can be found in adjacent areas including college towns like Ypsilanti. I found property taxes reasonable if you’re outside of Detroit. Detroit, IMO, still has the vestiges of the corruption that caused its original downturn. I know of one company that moved to TX due to it; the last straw was a 7-figure “license” to hang their company sign on their building.

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bumby 5y ago

>backwards state constantly mired in the economics of the industry Can you talk more on this? Just curious your perspective. I would disagree with your sentiment about cost-of-living, especially. Particularly with housing costs and taxes, Michigan seems much better than other states.

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
jdhn 5y ago
Property taxes in Michigan are unexpectedly high, and car insurance costs are VERY high. I believe Michigan is the most expensive or second most expensive state to have car insurance in. That's before you live in Detroit. If you live in Detroit, your car insurance will probably increase by anywhere from 75% to 100% from what you were paying in the suburbs. Your property tax in Detroit will also be very high as well as they basically max out the state allotted county property tax. Housing prices overall are lower than other states outside of places like Ann Arbor. If you like the idea of living in a college town like Ann Arbor, be prepared to shell out.
- bumby 5y ago
  Definitely agree on the auto insurance. It’s my understanding it’s an artifact of the no-fault insurance policy but that may not be the whole story. The lack of great public transit makes it worse because there’s little option because it’s such a car-centric region. I also agree that AA is expensive, but I think that’s in part due to the affluent populace of the college. If you’re willing to forgo the status of living in Ann Arbor, reasonable housing can be found in adjacent areas including college towns like Ypsilanti. I found property taxes reasonable if you’re outside of Detroit. Detroit, IMO, still has the vestiges of the corruption that caused its original downturn. I know of one company that moved to TX due to it; the last straw was a 7-figure “license” to hang their company sign on their building.