Posted: 4/5/2013 9:04:23 PM EDT
| I have lived in Colorado for a majority of my life and love it but the times have changed, the faces have changed, and it's just not what it used to be. I have an opportunity to go back to school and the family and I are thinking it's a good time move on. Ferris may be a possibility but I don't know much about that particular area of the state and have spent most of my time in the Michiana region. What are your thoughts on the area, the living/job situation, and the general state of the government? Any crazy gun regulations I need to watch out for? |
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SBR's are a complete pain. Besides from that guns laws are pretty good. Senate's working on the Michigan Firearms Freedom Act, Senate Bill 63, which would protect any Michigan made ammo, mags, parts and guns from any new federal laws after October. Sounds like it'll pass too. Never been to CO, but if you want most any weather, Michigan has it.
Taxes kind of suck, but... |
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SBR's are a complete pain. Besides from that guns laws are pretty good. Senate's working on the Michigan Firearms Freedom Act, Senate Bill 63, which would protect any Michigan made ammo, mags, parts and guns from any new federal laws after October. Sounds like it'll pass too. Never been to CO, but if you want most any weather, Michigan has it. Taxes kind of suck, but... And by pain he means not possible. Unless its a MG but then it's a MG not a SBR. |
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I think Michigan sucks too. I lived there over 20 years (grew up in SW MI) and couldn't wait to leave. I still have family there, so hence I still read the MI Hometown to see what is going on!
No-Fault car insurance is very pricey, and they have a MI catastrophic claims fee for ever vehicle, it was $175 or so when I lived there. I have 10 vehicles, it adds up. Ferris State isn't the best school either. It is known as a party school, or at least it was when I was in college. My brother went there less than 1 semester in 2001? and quit it was so bad. I don't know how it is now, but I wouldn't go there... Grand Rapids is the nicest place in the state that I know of. I lived there 2.5 years and loved it. Close to lake Michigan, lots to do, and very conservative. Less than an hour to rural woods. Very reasonable cost of living for homes and home taxes. I also worked in Kalamazoo, and would say it was decent. Cadillac is nice, but jobs are scarce. Gaylord is very rural, no jobs, but for 1-2 months in the Summer it is gorgeous (I hate snow!). In my current job I have responsibility for Michigan locations throughout the state, as well as IN and OH. I would not go anywhere near Saginaw, Flint, Detroit, or SE MI (Toledo suburbs). Lansing isn't so nice either anymore. Lack of jobs and a housing market that is still a mess, combined with crime. I'd choose Indiana (and I did!) over MI any day. Indiana University has several campuses throughout the state. I'm not a fan of Indy, but home prices are very reasonable. I got my undergrad from IU, and my MBA from a university in MI when I lived in GR. |
| For all her faults Michigan is awesome, Ferris is ok but still a bit of a party school. Look into Grand Valley, better quality in my opinion and west Michigan is the place to be. More jobs here than elsewhere, low crime, decent housing prices, and quite conservative. |
Ill be a naysayer to some of the folks above me and say that I love this state. Yeah, SE MI and the industrial corridor may not be the nicest part of the country, but over here on the rural west side and the farther north you go the nicer it gets IMHO. If your a sportsman, we got about everything you want. Our gun laws aren't great, but they're far from terrible either. Honestly if anything we are right in the middle of the road on most things. I heard it best from an old teacher of mine. "Michigan doesn't have the best of anything, but Michigan has the best of everything." As always YMMV. Mecosta County where Big Rapids and the main Ferris campus is quite rural, and is surrounded by mostly rural counties. About halfway between Grand Rapids and Cadillac. Best advice is to come here and explore around a bit.  |
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Ferris State isn't the best school either. It is known as a party school, or at least it was when I was in college. My brother went there less than 1 semester in 2001? and quit it was so bad. I don't know how it is now, but I wouldn't go there... Graduated from Ferris last spring, I enjoyed my 4 years there 
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| We moved last fall out west. MI has it's ups and downs. I say, anything above the rifle line is perfect. Very rural, not a lot of economy, but beautiful. Let's face it, Michigan lacks earthquakes, tsunamis, torrential floods, hurricanes, etc....... A tornado or flash flood every once in a blue moon is it. Northern MI is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited in my life. As far as retirement goes, we have considered Northern MI. But more leaning towards Montana, Idaho, Utah, or Texas. I want to live in a free state. |
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Yeah not sure if this is the right place to move in this economy. The west side of the state is nice but the east side has been struggling since 1970. The Republicans in charge seem to be doing an ok job with state government, the Democrats are in the UAW/Detroit/Flint pocket.
Be prepared to REGISTER all your pistols with the state when you arrive  . This registry is available to all police at any time. No private sales of pistols. You cannot carry on campus, lots of "gun free zones," other assorted BS. Our governor threatened to veto a bill that would do away with the pistol registry.
No SBR/SBS. MG/Silencer ok. No AWB, state preemption. There are many other places with good schools, gun laws, and a better economy, and better geography. Honestly if you're from Michiana region and want to come back, just live in Indiana. Or do what everyone else is doing and move to Texas. Or if you need the lake, Wisconsin is available too. |
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Yeah not sure if this is the right place to move in this economy. The west side of the state is nice but the east side has been struggling since 1970. The Republicans in charge seem to be doing an ok job with state government, the Democrats are in the UAW/Detroit/Flint pocket. Be prepared to REGISTER all your pistols with the state when you arrive . This registry is available to all police at any time. No private sales of pistols. You cannot carry on campus, lots of "gun free zones," other assorted BS. Our governor threatened to veto a bill that would do away with the pistol registry.
No SBR/SBS. MG/Silencer ok. No AWB, state preemption. There are many other places with good schools, gun laws, and a better economy, and better geography. Honestly if you're from Michiana region and want to come back, just live in Indiana. Or do what everyone else is doing and move to Texas. Or if you need the lake, Wisconsin is available too. Ferris is a very nice school even if it does have a party school rep, they don't sit around the classroom hitting bongs and shots, study hard and you'll do well. West Michigan especially around GR is one of the most Conservative areas in the country. There's lakes everywhere, the deer huntings excellent etc. The east side Flint, Detroit etc is where the state gets its shitty rep. |
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Thanks for all of the info guys! I think the plan would be to make it a temporary move for a few years to get through an accelerated BSN program. If we like the area maybe stay but who knows. The cost of living is nothing compared to here in CO and it is a pretty area. I was born in Crown Point, IN and my wife was born in the Michiana area where we have family close by to help us out. Rural, conservative, and water is all great in my book. I have spent a little time traveling through Michigan up to Mackinac Island and back down via the Lake Michigan and Traverse City. I still have a lot of research left on school options though, getting into a BSN program isn't easy. I looked into IUSB but their insane prereq list would put me out well over a year with bs classes that I didn't take when I got my first degree.
The registered handgun thing kind of sucks.... |
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Yeah not sure if this is the right place to move in this economy. The west side of the state is nice but the east side has been struggling since 1970. The Republicans in charge seem to be doing an ok job with state government, the Democrats are in the UAW/Detroit/Flint pocket. Be prepared to REGISTER all your pistols with the state when you arrive . This registry is available to all police at any time. No private sales of pistols. You cannot carry on campus, lots of "gun free zones," other assorted BS. Our governor threatened to veto a bill that would do away with the pistol registry.
No SBR/SBS. MG/Silencer ok. No AWB, state preemption. There are many other places with good schools, gun laws, and a better economy, and better geography. Honestly if you're from Michiana region and want to come back, just live in Indiana. Or do what everyone else is doing and move to Texas. Or if you need the lake, Wisconsin is available too. No private sales of pistols? Where in the hell did you find that tidbit because it doesn't exist. Michigan is getting better while the states around it are getting worse. If we could shed Detroit and Flint, Michigan would be a better place. |
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................ No private sales of pistols? Where in the hell did you find that tidbit because it doesn't exist. Michigan is getting better while the states around it are getting worse. If we could shed Detroit and Flint, Michigan would be a better place. I don't know where he is getting that. Most of the handguns I own are from private sales. |
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The only negative things about Michigan, gun related, is no SBR/SBS and pistol registration.
Weather is very diverse, all four seasons Lots of water, plenty of inland lakes. Like offroading, boating, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping...lots of it Job market is not the best right now. The Libs aren't near as winy as in other states (gun related). The main left political push is by the UAW and alot of the members own guns and hunt, so they don't push it too hard. Plus they just got knocked down a bit with right to work. BTW I worked in Texas for a few years in the Fort Worth area. Texas isn't what they make it out to be. I could of moved there and made more money...Still here. |
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Yeah not sure if this is the right place to move in this economy. The west side of the state is nice but the east side has been struggling since 1970. The Republicans in charge seem to be doing an ok job with state government, the Democrats are in the UAW/Detroit/Flint pocket. Be prepared to REGISTER all your pistols with the state when you arrive . This registry is available to all police at any time. No private sales of pistols. You cannot carry on campus, lots of "gun free zones," other assorted BS. Our governor threatened to veto a bill that would do away with the pistol registry.
No SBR/SBS. MG/Silencer ok. No AWB, state preemption. There are many other places with good schools, gun laws, and a better economy, and better geography. Honestly if you're from Michiana region and want to come back, just live in Indiana. Or do what everyone else is doing and move to Texas. Or if you need the lake, Wisconsin is available too. No private sales of pistols? Where in the hell did you find that tidbit because it doesn't exist. Michigan is getting better while the states around it are getting worse. If we could shed Detroit and Flint, Michigan would be a better place. Yeah, private pistol sales are most definitely legal, although they are still required to be registered. I think that's a good observation: Things are looking up in Michigan (course, that's easy to say when some aspects were at rock bottom  ). Right-to-work, decent firearms laws that are getting better, etc... One could a lot worse than living in this state. I'd rather be in the desert, but I can ride it out here for a few more years.
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Quoted: I think Michigan sucks too. I lived there over 20 years (grew up in SW MI) and couldn't wait to leave. I still have family there, so hence I still read the MI Hometown to see what is going on! No-Fault car insurance is very pricey, and they have a MI catastrophic claims fee for ever vehicle, it was $175 or so when I lived there. I have 10 vehicles, it adds up. Ferris State isn't the best school either. It is known as a party school, or at least it was when I was in college. My brother went there less than 1 semester in 2001? and quit it was so bad. I don't know how it is now, but I wouldn't go there... Grand Rapids is the nicest place in the state that I know of. I lived there 2.5 years and loved it. Close to lake Michigan, lots to do, and very conservative. Less than an hour to rural woods. Very reasonable cost of living for homes and home taxes. I also worked in Kalamazoo, and would say it was decent. Cadillac is nice, but jobs are scarce. Gaylord is very rural, no jobs, but for 1-2 months in the Summer it is gorgeous (I hate snow!). In my current job I have responsibility for Michigan locations throughout the state, as well as IN and OH. I would not go anywhere near Saginaw, Flint, Detroit, or SE MI (Toledo suburbs). Lansing isn't so nice either anymore. Lack of jobs and a housing market that is still a mess, combined with crime. I'd choose Indiana (and I did!) over MI any day. Indiana University has several campuses throughout the state. I'm not a fan of Indy, but home prices are very reasonable. I got my undergrad from IU, and my MBA from a university in MI when I lived in GR. Pretty much all colleges are party schools, its what you make of your time there. My sister lives in Indiana, what an ugly ass state.  |
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Part of me really likes michigan. Above the rifle line is great. Below not so much. I always thought it would be best to run a chainsaw through the rifle line and give the lower part to Ohio. They deserve it.  God already did that at the bridge didn't he? 
Just kidding. I'm not familiar with the rifle line but Houghton county is where my family is from. I'd be moving there if it weren't for two things. No jobs, and that little thing about registration of handguns. I keep seeing improvement to the MI position on firearms, and the right to carry. Hopefully that will continue. As far as jobs up north I think I'm SOL for now. Property maintenance for the non resident landowners is starting to look possible. 
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I'll ditto what some others said about jobs, it sucked ass after I came home from deployment in 2008 and wanted a job for the first time (basic training at 17, deployed right after). Part of that though was that I sucked at what I was doing - resume was crap and I was applying directly to businesses instead of trying to go through a temp/staffing agency. Once I figured that out I got a job in 2010 (spent 2009-2010 on orders at my Guard Unit) and have been working there since.
I would make sure you find a decent job or at least prospects BEFORE coming out here! Places to look: Grand Rapids Battle Creek Lansing Ann Arbor Ypsilanti You can try Flint and Detroit, but if I ever had to work there I'd be commuting! Where I live in Jackson pretty much sucks, but HCL did just land a contract with Ford for IT outsourcing and Chrysler is on the way. They're setting up a decently-large regional service desk in Jackson co-located with the Consumers Energy project already there, so in all that's 3 major companies outsourcing IT to HCL. If you're at all experienced in IT it's worth looking into. As far as guns, someone already nailed it: Just about the only things you can have are SBR, SBS and Destructive Devices (I think?). |
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I have lived in Colorado for a majority of my life and love it but the times have changed, the faces have changed, and it's just not what it used to be. I have an opportunity to go back to school and the family and I are thinking it's a good time move on. Ferris may be a possibility but I don't know much about that particular area of the state and have spent most of my time in the Michiana region. What are your thoughts on the area, the living/job situation, and the general state of the government? Any crazy gun regulations I need to watch out for? We have pistol registration If you don't have a CPL you must get a purchase permit for each pistol prior to buying it, and the permits expire after 10 days. SBRs must be C&R eligible, or they are forbidopden. Same goes for SBSs. Pellet Pistols must be registered like real pistols, BB pistols must also be registered if they have a rifled barrel. Concealed carry is forbidden in entertainment facilities seating more than 2,500 people (like movie theaters), casinos, bars, hospitals, churches, schools, day cares, and dormitories, or class rooms of colleges, and universities. This does not include the parking lots of these places. If you are carrying concealed, you must have your CPL, and ID on you, and must show both, and disclose the fact that you are carrying if stopped in traffic, you do not have to auto notify if on foot, but you do have to present your CPL, and I'D if asked. Michigan measures overall length with any folding, or telescoping stocks, folded, or fully collapsed, and under 26 inches is forbidden unless it's C&R. We have state preemtion on gun laws. Open Carry without a CPL is legal but heavily restricted (for example you can't carry in your vehicle, or any place that sells alcohol like the grocery store. Open Carry with a CPL allows you to carry in all the CPL "pistol free zones". Long gun Open Carry is treated the same as handgun Open Carry. AOWs, Destructive Devices and Machineguns are legal. This is not a stop, and ID state so you do not need to carry ID with you, or present it to the police if asked, unless you are driving or carrying concealed, nor do you have to carry your CPL with you, or show it if asked unless you are actually carrying concealed at the time. We have shall issue, and "perfect" reciprocity, all states who recognize any other states permits recognize ours. They cost $105 (the required class, and the cost of a passport photo is extra), and are good for 4-5 years. You must be at least 21, live in the state at least 6 months, legaly be allowed to have a gun, and have a virtually spotless record (We have a LONG list of disqualifiers). You will need a certificate from the required class (NRA Personal Protection In The Home), and you must have taken the class in Michigan, you will also need a passport photo, get fingerprinted, and your application fee. 2 Pro Gun bills are in the senate right now SB213 (eliminate the gun boards, and all PFZs except for schools, hospitals, and churches), and SB63 which was already mentioned. Both will probably pass, but both are likely to be vetoed by the governor. 
Automatic Knives are illegal unless your a cop, or one handed, but assisted opening is fine. There is no knife preemption. As for non gun stuff, Michigan has horrendous unemployment (if you loose you job, don't expect to get another one for at least 2-3 years), and a shattered economy. Detroit, and Flint effectively control state politics, if it weren't for them we would be a red state. Our primary system is notoriously corrupt (democrat fraud gave us the RINO snyder instead of the solidly Conservative, and pro gun Cox), both our Senators are raging commies. Detroit, and to a slightly lesser extent Flint are 3rd world hell holes, and resemble Beirut circa the 1980's complete with collapsed burned out buildings (some complete with what appears to be actual blast damage), burned cars, debris on the streets, and sidewalks, heavy steel bars, and chainlink fence on storefronts (what few are still open, but the abandoned ones have it to), and razor wire on roofs, law, and order is non existant except for the inner core (the green zone), they are in complete anarchy, and are quite literally war zones. Winters are cold, wet, and never ending with frequent blizzards. Summers are non stop construction, and MDOT is completely incompetant. The lakes create wild, and unpredictable weather, as the saying goes "It's Michigan, if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes.". We have been subject to things like 70 degrees in January, and flurries in July. Taxes are high, and the governor is currently pushing for a 14 cent increase in the gas tax. It's near imposible to start a business. On the plus side we just passed Right To Work, and have lots of pretty lakes. |
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I have lived in Colorado for a majority of my life and love it but the times have changed, the faces have changed, and it's just not what it used to be. I have an opportunity to go back to school and the family and I are thinking it's a good time move on. Ferris may be a possibility but I don't know much about that particular area of the state and have spent most of my time in the Michiana region. What are your thoughts on the area, the living/job situation, and the general state of the government? Any crazy gun regulations I need to watch out for? We have pistol registration If you don't have a CPL you must get a purchase permit for each pistol prior to buying it, and the permits expire after 10 days. SBRs must be C&R eligible, or they are forbidopden. Same goes for SBSs. Pellet Pistols must be registered like real pistols, BB pistols must also be registered if they have a rifled barrel. Concealed carry is forbidden in entertainment facilities seating more than 2,500 people (like movie theaters), casinos, bars, hospitals, churches, schools, day cares, and dormitories, or class rooms of colleges, and universities. This does not include the parking lots of these places. See below, OC is allowed in these locations with a CPL If you are carrying concealed, you must have your CPL, and ID on you, and must show both, and disclose the fact that you are carrying if stopped in traffic, you do not have to auto notify if on foot, but you do have to present your CPL, and I'D if asked. Michigan measures overall length with any folding, or telescoping stocks, folded, or fully collapsed, and under 26 inches is forbidden unless it's C&R. We have state preemtion on gun laws. Open Carry without a CPL is legal but heavily restricted (for example you can't carry in your vehicle, or any place that sells alcohol like the grocery store.) Rounding out his mentions, you also can't OC in a bank, church, court, theater, sports arena, day car center, or hospital unless you have a CPL. Open Carry with a CPL allows you to carry in all the CPL "pistol free zones". You can essentially OC everywhere with a CPL unless there are federal restrictions on it. Long gun Open Carry is treated the same as handgun Open Carry. AOWs, Destructive Devices and Machineguns are legal. Suppressors are legal also. This is not a stop, and ID state so you do not need to carry ID with you, or present it to the police if asked, unless you are driving or carrying concealed, nor do you have to carry your CPL with you, or show it if asked unless you are actually carrying concealed at the time. We have shall issue, and "perfect" reciprocity, all states who recognize any other states permits recognize ours. They cost $105 (the required class, and the cost of a passport photo is extra), and are good for 4-5 years. You must be at least 21, live in the state at least 6 months, legaly be allowed to have a gun, and have a virtually spotless record (We have a LONG list of disqualifiers). You will need a certificate from the required class (NRA Personal Protection In The Home), and you must have taken the class in Michigan, you will also need a passport photo, get fingerprinted, and your application fee.Not sure, but there may be an exception to the 6 month residency requirement for those who hold an out of state license. 2 Pro Gun bills are in the senate right now SB213 (eliminate the gun boards, and all PFZs except for schools, hospitals, and churches), and SB63 which was already mentioned. Both will probably pass, but both are likely to be vetoed by the governor.
Automatic Knives are illegal unless your a cop, or one handed, but assisted opening is fine. There is no knife preemption. No daggers, dirks, stilettos, or double-edge nonfolding knives As for non gun stuff, Michigan has horrendous unemployment (if you loose you job, don't expect to get another one for at least 2-3 years), and a shattered economy. Detroit, and Flint effectively control state politics, if it weren't for them we would be a red state. Our primary system is notoriously corrupt (democrat fraud gave us the RINO snyder instead of the solidly Conservative, and pro gun Cox), both our Senators are raging commies. Detroit, and to a slightly lesser extent Flint are 3rd world hell holes, and resemble Beirut circa the 1980's complete with collapsed burned out buildings (some complete with what appears to be actual blast damage), burned cars, debris on the streets, and sidewalks, heavy steel bars, and chainlink fence on storefronts (what few are still open, but the abandoned ones have it to), and razor wire on roofs, law, and order is non existant except for the inner core (the green zone), they are in complete anarchy, and are quite literally war zones. Winters are cold, wet, and never ending with frequent blizzards. Summers are non stop construction, and MDOT is completely incompetant. The lakes create wild, and unpredictable weather, as the saying goes "It's Michigan, if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes.". We have been subject to things like 70 degrees in January, and flurries in July. Taxes are high, and the governor is currently pushing for a 14 cent increase in the gas tax. Also proposed an increase to vehicle registration prices. It's near imposible to start a business. On the plus side we just passed Right To Work, and have lots of pretty lakes. Should also mention we have no-fault vehicle insurance which screws the prices. I had a couple other thoughts, but lost them for the moment. |