A few questions to the Michiganders out there…

[manofthefield]

I'm considering moving to Michigan with my girlfriend within the next few months.  She is from a small town in the southwest of the state and really wants to move back to be close to her family.  Even though I went to college in MI (the UP anyway), I'm not that familiar with what all the cities/areas are like and I'm looking for some insight.

We're considering places like Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Lansing, maybe Muskegon.  We're not big partiers, but it'd be nice to live somewhere where there are enough people we could make a few friends, and we do have some pets that need to get out and exercise.  Any advice on what it's like to live in any of these places?

Another big concern for me is finding a job.  I'm worried the job market in MI is crap because of the auto industry, especially in engineering.  Is southwestern MI far enough away from that stuff that it won't be affected?  While I am intelligent and have a great work ethic, I suffer from relative inexperience (a couple internships and a 6 month contract position) and from being somewhat reserved, which I think can cause me to be overlooked in an interview. 

Right now I'm wrestling with whether I should quit my current job when my contract is up and move, devoting all of my time to finding a new job, or whether I should stay a few months and accept a full time position (I'm expecting an offer), while searching for a job from MN.  While the second choice would be difficult and taxing, my logic is that it is easier to get a job when you already have one, and I keep an income stream. 

[RedShift]

This is a tough question. 

I'd take your second option -- look for a job while maintaining employment.  I'd use a head-hunter or try monster.com and test the waters.  Don't cut the cord unless you don't need it.  Grand Rapids would be a great base of operations -- close to a bunch of big centers.

But what do I know.  I'm basically insecure and hang on to anything that works. Go on - ask my bike.

[manofthefield]

I know what you mean about hanging on to what works.  I try to get myself excited about living in an area that isn't quite so cold in the winter, probably has better outdoor activities, and isn't quite so big, But it is easy to say what I'm doing works, why should I change. 

I definately plan on hiring a head-hunter, I hope it will speed up the process and make it easier on me while I work.  I've taken a look at Monster and careerbuilder, I really need to get my resume updated so I can start applying to some of those jobs. 

I'm liking GR, mostly based on it's larger size which I am  hoping translates into a larger job base.  For now the center of operations will be at my GF's family's house since the rent is free or at least dirt cheap.

[manofthefield]

Update:  My contract will be ending and I won't be getting hired full time.  So the move to MI is a go; I'll probably be moving towards the end of January.  We probably won't be settled anywhere for a couple months though.

Now the hard part is finding a job there.  My search has been expanded slightly to include South Bend/Elkhart, IN and maybe Fort Wayne.  Being out of a job sucks

[coll0412]

I hope the best of luck to you, bummer to see you go

[manofthefield]

Thanks, it was nice having some GStwinners around and Dulono's is a lot of fun.  But really we have nothing tying me here.  Hopefully I'll be back some time though

[annguyen1981]

Off topic:
Wouldn't the correct term be "MICHIGANERS"?

[manofthefield]

Michigander (mish-uh-GAN-der) is a demonym for residents of the U.S. state of Michigan. It coexists with Michiganian (mish-uh-GAIN-ee-un), Michiganer, and Michiganite. Various Michigan residents may prefer one or the other (and those in the Upper Peninsula more typically refer to themselves as Yoopers instead). Many Michigan residents prefer the sound of Michigander (which more closely parallels the pronunciation of Michigan).

Wikipedia: Michigander


 

well, I guess technically both terms are right, but I'm more right

[annguyen1981]

You claim that you're more correct because you JUST typed that into the WIKI.

[manofthefield]

Hmm... that's a good idea, but no I didn't just type that into Wikipedia, I don't even have an account there

[manofthefield]

Update: Brandi and I and the animals moved to a nice little house in the Grand Rapids area.  She has a job here and I'm still looking for one   Oh well, it's nice to not have to work while doing a big move like this

[coll0412]

Now the trick is to drag the not working out for a good couple years...imagine how much time you could spend with your true love( your motorcycle)

I hope you enjoy it out there, and hopefully find some good twisty roads

[manofthefield]

Yeah, that would be some trick... unfortunately my true love costs money... and my GF would probably get pissed if I stopped helping with the bills.