Thanks for being here. I'm sorry about the destruction off your back lot. That had to hurt! It seems the only housing stock going up these days is for the very rich. That's troubling. But it's another reason I worry they'll find us up here. Housing is much more affordable in these out-of-the-way places where the rich don't necessarily want to be.
I think mass migration to the UP is unlikely and even climate migration to the Lower Peninsula isn't happening any time soon, even though there's anecdotal reporting about people moving to the Traverse area from the south. People are still moving to Florida and Texas despite the heat, the tornadoes and hurricanes, the flooding.
I think what stops people from moving to Traverse or Charlevoix or Petoskey is the cost. There's a price for living in those beautiful resort towns. In Petoskey they're having trouble finding seasonal workers because they can't find affordable places to live. Some of them have to drive an hour or two just to get to work.
Sounds like my kind of place (not the effect you were aiming for, I know!), and I feel your pain. We've not seen population increases like what you suggest is predicted for the UP, but where I live has grown increasingly attractive. It started before the arrival of Covid but really ratcheted up then, thanks to its rural character, proximity to major cities, and water-based charm. I remember walking our trails during the phase of lockdown and realizing, to my astonishment, that I didn't recognize any of the faces I was passing. Still, to some, I'm a come here. Maybe I'll go back to living aboard!
Everything changes, I know, and not always for the better, but whenever I look at other places where I might want to settle instead, I come back to wanting to be right where I am.
If you lived abroad, where would you want to live?
I had to double check, I'm so prone to typos, particularly on too little sleep. Aboard...not abroad. But, since you asked, I'll tell you that I have no idea! Too many questions: Would I be closer or father from kids? Would I need to learn a new language? Are there jobs? Is there housing? Would I find anything there that I can't find here? 🙃
As a fellow ferry islander, I relate to so much of this, from the ferry lines to the power outages and the constant pressure of climate refugees from California and elsewhere wanting to move here. By around July 7th, locals start looking forward to Labor Day, when the visitors go home, and our island comes to life.
Our winters are milder, but wet and gray. I grew up in England, so it doesn't bother me so much, but we skip town a few times during the winter for sunnier climes.
We just tell people it rains here all the time, you'd hate it. Please spread the word.
Ah, the things we have to go through to keep it all to ourselves! Yet there are many I know who think I'm crazy to live like this. I agree with them. Yup, crazy!
And yes, Labor Day is when it all ends. With a bang. One day they're here and the next they're gone. Then we breathe again.
The winters are harsh but the true Yoopers can't wait for it to start. I've only been here for 28 years and have spent only one entire winter here, so even though I was born up here I think I'll never be considered one of them.
If the winters aren't hard enough, they're disappointed. There go their bragging rights!
Lots of luck with that Mona! You did a fine job clarifying the issues yet people hear what they want to hear. I know exactly what you're talking about having moved to Jerome, AZ in 1987 with a population of 340. 25 years later, the town changed for those who continued to come and undo our charm. I then moved to Baja, Mexico, 10 years ago and the same is happening here. I'm grateful that I'm old now.
Lucky you to have had the best of it, at least for a while, Lisa. I remember that Jerome was very crowded when we visited after you had left. Still interesting and lovely but no, those crowds might have done it for me, too.
Sorry to hear you're finding the same in Baja. People do tend to gravitate to those amazing places.
I was born in Michigan and even after we moved away and down here to South Florida (where it is extremely hot and sticky) after my parents divorced, I spent every summer up there throughout high school. We often went to Mackinac Island and camping up in the UP. One year we drove all the way up to Copper Harbor. So beautiful! Thank you for reminding me of wonderful memories. 💕
You're welcome. Copper Harbor, at the far end of the Keweenaw Peninsula, is near where I was born and where I spent every summer of my growing-up life. My husband is buried up there and I will be, too. My family and I are going up in September for what has become our annual 'fix'. ❤️
When we moved to Olympia, Washington, we said the same thing. It was beautiful - lots of trees and space, deer wandered through the yard, and bald eagles flew overhead. Unfortunately, nobody listened, our old area is filled with new houses, lots of traffic, and way too many people. We had to move back, but oh I miss my woods.
Verizon cell phone service on Ladyslipper lane, on DI, required sitting on the hood of a pickup truck or SUV in the driveway. Contact with Verizon corporate offices through the years gave different excuses for spotty service including; “ you’re too close to Canada.” Finally a young person in a Brighton, Michigan, Verizon phone store heard my lament about cold days sitting atop the car and solved the problem. A free plug in booster antenna was mailed to us and now we have better reception with more bars (5) than we do at home.
Thanks for being here. I'm sorry about the destruction off your back lot. That had to hurt! It seems the only housing stock going up these days is for the very rich. That's troubling. But it's another reason I worry they'll find us up here. Housing is much more affordable in these out-of-the-way places where the rich don't necessarily want to be.
As a former Michigander, this is a really great read.
Thanks for reading it, Marsha. And for being here!
I think mass migration to the UP is unlikely and even climate migration to the Lower Peninsula isn't happening any time soon, even though there's anecdotal reporting about people moving to the Traverse area from the south. People are still moving to Florida and Texas despite the heat, the tornadoes and hurricanes, the flooding.
Good! Encourage them!
What? To go into danger? Not me. :-)
I think what stops people from moving to Traverse or Charlevoix or Petoskey is the cost. There's a price for living in those beautiful resort towns. In Petoskey they're having trouble finding seasonal workers because they can't find affordable places to live. Some of them have to drive an hour or two just to get to work.
Good! Stay away from Michigan.
Sounds like my kind of place (not the effect you were aiming for, I know!), and I feel your pain. We've not seen population increases like what you suggest is predicted for the UP, but where I live has grown increasingly attractive. It started before the arrival of Covid but really ratcheted up then, thanks to its rural character, proximity to major cities, and water-based charm. I remember walking our trails during the phase of lockdown and realizing, to my astonishment, that I didn't recognize any of the faces I was passing. Still, to some, I'm a come here. Maybe I'll go back to living aboard!
Everything changes, I know, and not always for the better, but whenever I look at other places where I might want to settle instead, I come back to wanting to be right where I am.
If you lived abroad, where would you want to live?
I had to double check, I'm so prone to typos, particularly on too little sleep. Aboard...not abroad. But, since you asked, I'll tell you that I have no idea! Too many questions: Would I be closer or father from kids? Would I need to learn a new language? Are there jobs? Is there housing? Would I find anything there that I can't find here? 🙃
Oops. Sorry! I misread it. But all of those things are fun to think about, aren't they? Even if we never act on them.
No apology needed -- and yes, a nifty little exploration!
I always love reading your stories. The U.P. Is beautiful but the winters can be harsh. I’ll tell everyone! 🥰
What an adventure! Really lovely, Ramona. The mountains are my thing…and my goal…all in good time.
We say many of these same things out on the Olympic Peninsula. 😉
Yes, so I've heard. Beautiful country!
As a fellow ferry islander, I relate to so much of this, from the ferry lines to the power outages and the constant pressure of climate refugees from California and elsewhere wanting to move here. By around July 7th, locals start looking forward to Labor Day, when the visitors go home, and our island comes to life.
Our winters are milder, but wet and gray. I grew up in England, so it doesn't bother me so much, but we skip town a few times during the winter for sunnier climes.
We just tell people it rains here all the time, you'd hate it. Please spread the word.
Ah, the things we have to go through to keep it all to ourselves! Yet there are many I know who think I'm crazy to live like this. I agree with them. Yup, crazy!
And yes, Labor Day is when it all ends. With a bang. One day they're here and the next they're gone. Then we breathe again.
BTW, for UP fans, I highly recommend Steve Hamilton's mystery Cold Day in Paradise. One of my all-time favorites.
Thanks for the reminder. I still haven't read it. I'm going to fix that.
Yes! Beautifully written.
I’ve never been but you’ve made me want to come visit! 💖
Now YOU I would allow! 💕
We would enjoy ourselves immensely!!
Oh yes, we would!
Remote places like this have always exerted such a pull on me! The most isolated, the better. But those winters....
The winters are harsh but the true Yoopers can't wait for it to start. I've only been here for 28 years and have spent only one entire winter here, so even though I was born up here I think I'll never be considered one of them.
If the winters aren't hard enough, they're disappointed. There go their bragging rights!
Brag away, Yoopers! Brag away! I shall salute you from the beaches of Australia!
Lots of luck with that Mona! You did a fine job clarifying the issues yet people hear what they want to hear. I know exactly what you're talking about having moved to Jerome, AZ in 1987 with a population of 340. 25 years later, the town changed for those who continued to come and undo our charm. I then moved to Baja, Mexico, 10 years ago and the same is happening here. I'm grateful that I'm old now.
Lucky you to have had the best of it, at least for a while, Lisa. I remember that Jerome was very crowded when we visited after you had left. Still interesting and lovely but no, those crowds might have done it for me, too.
Sorry to hear you're finding the same in Baja. People do tend to gravitate to those amazing places.
I was born in Michigan and even after we moved away and down here to South Florida (where it is extremely hot and sticky) after my parents divorced, I spent every summer up there throughout high school. We often went to Mackinac Island and camping up in the UP. One year we drove all the way up to Copper Harbor. So beautiful! Thank you for reminding me of wonderful memories. 💕
You're welcome. Copper Harbor, at the far end of the Keweenaw Peninsula, is near where I was born and where I spent every summer of my growing-up life. My husband is buried up there and I will be, too. My family and I are going up in September for what has become our annual 'fix'. ❤️
When we moved to Olympia, Washington, we said the same thing. It was beautiful - lots of trees and space, deer wandered through the yard, and bald eagles flew overhead. Unfortunately, nobody listened, our old area is filled with new houses, lots of traffic, and way too many people. We had to move back, but oh I miss my woods.
Verizon cell phone service on Ladyslipper lane, on DI, required sitting on the hood of a pickup truck or SUV in the driveway. Contact with Verizon corporate offices through the years gave different excuses for spotty service including; “ you’re too close to Canada.” Finally a young person in a Brighton, Michigan, Verizon phone store heard my lament about cold days sitting atop the car and solved the problem. A free plug in booster antenna was mailed to us and now we have better reception with more bars (5) than we do at home.