Maybe moving to Traverse City

[Bread and Circus]

can anyone offer me some opinions and input regarding the area, it would be greatly appreciated.

[1gobluedem]

1. It's gorgeous

Long winter but worth it. I think it's a fairly Republican area, unfortunately, and some housing is high but there are other options too. TC is not huge but the cultural life is fairly strong, I believe. And the Red Wings train there.

If you like the water, skiing, and hiking, you'll be in heaven.

[Bread and Circus]

3. I really appreciate your input,

I was not aware that housing is somewhat expensive. We are thinking of buying in the Acme area. Do you know what surrounding areas might be better?

[Oakland]

8. A real estate person will help you.

TC is a town in the heart of the "gold coast" of Michigan.
Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, etc. sprung up from Chicago money
buying up the coast and coastal towns. In many of these communities,
chauffeurs and maids come into town first to "open up" the summer homes.
You can often find caviar before curtains in some towns.

However, there are lots of "average" joe blows around and they live
somewhere, too. How did you end up in TC?

[MichiganVote]

2. Housing is pricey, very crowded in the summer, quieter in the fall&winter

But a great place to be.

[noonwitch]

4. I go up there at least twice a year to visit my grandparents

It is a beautiful area. I'm lucky, grandpa lives on the Old Mission Penninsula and has frontage on the East Bay, so I can swim at his place. There are wineries on the Penninsula, a haunted restaurant (Bower's Harbor Inn), and a lighthouse at the end.

TC is not a cheap place to buy a home. I think it's cheaper around the city and away from the lakes. If you've $250,00-350,00, you can buy a house with some frontage on an inland lake (Green and Duck lakes in Interlochen are somewhat affordable, as is Arbutus Lake), but anything on GT Bay or Lake Michigan is going to cost.

When I was a kid, Traverse City was a small town. It's not, anymore. There's a big mall, outlet shopping, yet they still have some of the little downtown tourist-oriented shops. It's a clean place, the schools are good, and if you have money and talented kids, you can send them to day school at Interlochen Center For The Arts, which is the Hogwarts of the music world.

[tokenlib]

5. More spirited progressives and dems than one might imagine...

In 2004 when Bush stopped in Traverse City, he encountered one of the largest groups of protesters and political activists gathered to welcome him. I recall it was larger than the protests in other Michigan stops--including the Detroit area when he showed up. Between the Democrats, Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club and others--it was an impressive gathering.

It also showed me that this so called Republican "stronghold" is infected by a bunch of enthusiastic progressives and Democrats who aren't afraid to make their presence felt.

Traverse is a nice place to visit for sure--and with people like that, it is no doubt a nice place to live as well.

[Bread and Circus]

6. thanks for that piece of good news.

Seems like it is definitely a beautiful spot. I will have to gather more information to ensure it
has a little bit of diversity politically. I am in such a conservative town right now which is part
of the reason for moving.

[JNelson6563]

7. What a splendid thread to find!

I am fortunate enough to live in Traverse and was so heartened to read all the posts here. It really is a great place to live and the local county party is very active! I'd be glad to introduce and show you around.

Are you coming with work already lined up Bread&Circus? If I can be of any assistance please feel free to PM me. I know the area pretty well. :-)

Julie

[Bread and Circus]

9. we will be visiting this coming thursday

to look more closely at a job opportunity as well as possible neighborhoods we might like. We have been directed to the Acme/Williamsburg area. On realtor.com this area does not look too promising but you never know. We definitely would need to be in that part of the region for this job. We are really looking forward to being there and it would be great to know any areas you recommend in terms of buying a home.

[JNelson6563]

10. Check your PMs

:toast: