What You Need to Know About Moving to Michigan
Michigan gave us the birth of the automobile, Motown, and the first state university in the U.S. With more than 3,000 miles of coastline, Michigan has way more to offer than just cars. The state is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, too. Michigan also offers residents a low, and affordable cost of living, and currently, around 10 million people call Michigan home. If you want to move to the beautiful Great Lakes state, here's what you need to consider when planning a move to Michigan.
1. How's the job market?
Michigan has a reputation for being a depressed state with a weak job market. But while that may be true for the Detroit metro, Michigan is more than one former auto town. The reason why Michigan was walloped during the Great Recession was that it suffered from a lack of job diversity, although the state was already hurting before the housing market crashed. Unemployment in Michigan peaked in 2009, ten years ago. The rest of the country and many parts of the world weren't doing so well either. In 2014, the job market started to rebound, and jobs in Michigan became more diversified.
Today, Michigan ranks 23rd in the nation for jobs and diverse economic opportunity. So while Michigan's job market may not be on par with that of Colorado or Utah, it's not too shabby, either. Michigan has a current unemployment rate that's close to the national average, and trade, utilities, and transportation make up the bulk of its workforce. Jobs in education and healthcare services are also growing.
Michigan also has an emerging economy with tourism jobs leading the way. Tourism has increased in Michigan year-over-year since the recession ended, and tourists contribute more than 23 billion dollars per year to Michigan's economy. The state is also home to one of the highest minimum wages in the U.S., at $9.45 per hour. Overall, Michigan is ranked at #4 in affordability and 8th for the cost of living. Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor have some of the strongest, growing economies in the state.
2. How healthy is the housing market in Michigan?
From the 1970s and through the Great Recession, Michigan experienced a marked decline in people moving into the state - many were leaving. But in 2017, it was the first year since 2001 that more people moved into Michigan than moved out. The state has started to enjoy several years of consistent population growth. Even though more people are moving into Michigan, homes in the Great Lakes state are very affordable. Continued population growth is also forecasted to increase the value of Michigan real estate.
The median home price in Michigan is a modest $138,747, and the average rent price is $1050. These prices are projected to increase by more than 3% over the next year. While the majority of homes in Michigan were built during the 1950s, there is new construction available for prospective buyers.
3. What are the most popular areas to move to in Michigan?
The most popular areas for new home construction are the coastal regions of Michigan, Grand Rapids, and the outskirts of metro Detroit. Grand Rapids is particularly popular with Michigan newcomers, having a population of around 200,000 and growing. This mid-size city has a small-town, artistic feel to it, along with affordable housing and a growing job market. The craft brewery scene in Grand Rapids is well known, and it's a popular place for young professionals and families to call home.
4. Michigan winters are some of the coldest in the U.S.
The Great Lakes significantly influence the weather patterns in Michigan and surrounding states. The winters in Michigan can be brutal. But if you're a lover of winter sports and activities, you might love living in Michigan. But if you're planning a move here, you'll want to invest in some high-quality winter gear.
5. How can you plan a move to Michigan the easy way?
Michigan is one state divided into two parts - the upper and lower peninsulas. If you want to move to Michigan, it's critical that you do your research first. If you're someone who enjoys city life, you might want to consider a home in Grand Rapids. Nature lovers will enjoy living in the Upper Peninsula, and Grand Haven offers spectacular lakefront properties and stunning beaches. Once you decide on a location to consider buying property in, you'll want to research the local schools if you have school-aged children, and what the daily commute will be for work. Getting pre-approved for a loan can also make the moving process easier.
Once you're pre-approved for a mortgage, it's a good idea to start reaching out to real estate agents that are experienced with the Michigan property market. As a homebuyer, you won't be paying for an agent out-of-pocket. A real estate agent's commission typically comes out of the final price of the home that the seller pays. The loan officer who pre-approved your mortgage may be able to put you in touch with an experienced Michigan real estate agent.
For many people, it's not always possible to buy a new home when they are still paying a mortgage on another property. A realtor can help you coordinate the sale of your previous home with the purchase of your new Michigan property, and a realtor can also make sure the negotiation, buying, and closing processes go smoothly. Also, it's a good idea to consider using the services of a professional moving company, see the page https://www.a1autotransport.com/michigan-moving/ for more information on moving to Michigan and moving companies in the area. Packing, loading, transporting, and unloading your belongings for a move to Michigan can be stressful, but a moving company can make things easier. If you're considering moving to Michigan, keep these tips in mind while you search for your dream home in the Great Lakes state.