Relocating to the UP Michigan?

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sweetenfamily

New Member
Aug 19, 2014
27
Indiana
We are looking at a farm SE of Sault Ste Marie about 20 minutes. We have 4 kids (1, 4, 6, & 8) who go to public school. We have been farming in northern Indiana (hay) for 15 years and would plan to continue up there. What can everyone tell me. We are not much into nightlife. I tend to go to town for groceries 1 maybe 2 times per week. Did 90% of my Christmas shopping online this year. Church is very important to us and we tend towards being very conservative.

My husband works for an ag company that should continue his employment. He works all over the mitten a lot already. We have visited a few times.

We enjoy being outside, hunting, fishing, you name it. Seems like we would fit int well???
 
Have you visited the area yet? The UP can seem like an entirely different world depending on where you come from. I love it up there. I try to visit once or twice per year. I could maybe live there but my wife wouldn't stand a chance.

I would say that the winters are harder, the neighbors could surely be few and far between and services can be sparse. What's your expectation for schools? How close do you want to be to stores? Can you live with 6 months of winter?

I wouldn't suggest anyone move anywhere without spending some time visiting and researching. Good luck!
 
Yooper.... Ya.. Eh?? Sorry could not resist. You may want to spend some time up there and make sure your making the right decision. Its a different world there. I grew up outside Detroit and have made a lot of visits there. Nice area.
 
I grew up upper Michigan....the area of the point that sticks out in Lake Superior. I remember long winters, some wonderful summers and some cold. I've lived in many places and have been back there on occasion. The people are friendly and helpful, a relaxed atmosphere predominates. It is mostly tree covered and the lakes are beautiful. The one thing that will be different is the amount of snow ...120" average and cooler summers than Indiana. It sounds like your lifestyle will fit in well.
 
We are looking at a farm SE of Sault Ste Marie about 20 minutes. We have 4 kids (1, 4, 6, & 8) who go to public school. We have been farming in northern Indiana (hay) for 15 years and would plan to continue up there. What can everyone tell me. We are not much into nightlife. I tend to go to town for groceries 1 maybe 2 times per week. Did 90% of my Christmas shopping online this year. Church is very important to us and we tend towards being very conservative.

My husband works for an ag company that should continue his employment. He works all over the mitten a lot already. We have visited a few times.

We enjoy being outside, hunting, fishing, you name it. Seems like we would fit int well???

I'm a trol (that's what yoppers call Michiganders who live below the bridge) but we've vacationed in the UP many times over the years. As others have said, the scenery is spectacular, the winters are cold, the locals are friendly and the usual accoutrements associated with city life are more limited. That said, I've always enjoyed my stays there. If you can, I would rent for year before you purchase. I would also check out the schools where you plan to settle. If you've lived in rural areas of Indiana I suspect you'll have no trouble adapting to UP life. Good luck.

ChipTam
 
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