Horrible Horrble Nightmare - 6/15/2009

Beyond the rows rotting homes that have rodents living in them, or the blocks of vacant ancient factories that look as though they belong in a horror movie...the city government thinks things are better than ever. Recently the city was elected as "worst place to find a job" in a national poll, and the mayor and city officials defended the city furiously, saying it was a "lie" and the economists were "stupid"..as homeless people sleep on sidewalks downtown. That and the unemployment rate went from 8% to nearly 15% in a year. Truly, this is a miserable horrible place that should be dozed under and given back to nature. 12 year old moms are commonplace pushing their strollers along sidewalks, and the teen boys with missing teeth and clothing hanging down to their ankles are the proud fathers that will surely be in jail soon. There is no hope here for most, many surrounding areas have been devastated by meth addiction. That merely scratches the surface of what is seen here on a daily basis, and people think Flint, MI is bad....Jackson would make Baghdad look appealing. There aren't many jobs left to loose here, its only a matter of time before Jackson becomes a true ghost town and will be dozed under. Even then, the city government will say things are just fine! I cant wait to leave this fall, I can feel the depression lifting already!

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Healthy Help - 5/19/2008

For those looking for a city that offers moderate priced health care, Jackson MI is the right one. There are many DIFFERENT

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"Stuck" - 1/29/2008

The Economy in Jackson is stuck because all the prices raised and now no one is spending their money so a lot of businesses out of business.

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Prison town - 1/26/2008

Jackson has seven prisons. 2 have closed within the last 5 years, really hurting the local economy.

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No gem to thousands unemployed - 9/17/2007

I do agree with what some of Patricia says regarding the community at large, however the sad story of Jackson's recession has continued to be told as more jobs leave the area. While no employment isn't the only reason Jackson isn't a gem, there is a mayor that does nothing for attracting real business, and no, continued fizzled contracts with retail chains that will do nothing to help the city do not qualify as change. There is a stagnant nature to the administration, as if they wish to keep young professionals out of the city and are trying to maintain manufacturing roots which will leave the city dead as it is. I myself unfortunately, after living near Detroit had to move back for family reasons am astounded how much it has declined in 4 years. Despite a few main employers, a young degreed professional would have no choice but to either work in the empty mall, or leave, which is precisely what is happening. The positive views are either from retirees or those lucky enough to hold their jobs (even luckier if they make over $15/hr). This city will never capitalize on its location in the hands that run it currently. One of Michigan's poorest cities, its hardly a gem, one that I can't wait to leave.

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Not a nay sayer but.... - 9/12/2007

I must agree with the previous comment about Jackson on some fronts, although many are misleading. I would not call any place that houses some of the highest high-school drop out numbers, teen pregnancy and crime rates a "gem". It COULD be, if the mayor deciding to make a change. The "cool city" initiative that is being conducted through many Michigan cities isn't doing much for Jackson. The town continues to try to attract skilled labor which will never come back. As far as "a booming health care" industry, Foote hospital is the soul employer in this field. There is a strong opposition to youth in the area, despite many who say there are "more things to do" in the area, most young professionals leave, as there is no employment to suit their degree. The average family income (per household) is less than 35K, thats retail wage, and people are trying to live with that. Unfortunately that isn't much of a gem.

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Michigan's Hidden Gem - 9/3/2007

Jackson is centrally located at the crossroads of Highway 127 (to Lansing) and Interstate 94 (to Detroit). It's a convenient 25-35 minute drive (depending on how fast you drive!) from the capitol of Lansing, home of Michigan State University (MSU), the city of Ann Arbor, which is home to the University of Michigan, or Toledo, Ohio. It is about a three hour drive from Chicago or a one hour drive from Detroit as well. Most people don't realize everything Jackson has to offer and unfortunately, we are widely known for our huge state prison (that now sits well outside the city) but conjures up visions of halfway houses and criminals run amok. However, Jackson has so many positive things to offer. For the city's size, we have a surprisingly large number of restaurants, stores, family events, beautiful parks, waterways, and you don't have to drive all over heck to get to all of them. On top of that, the city and surrounding townships are full of beautiful old houses (and new ones too) very reasonably priced. Jackson County sits atop one of North Americas Largest natural aquifers and is home to the headwaters of the Grand, Michigan's longest river at 260 miles, which is home to some of the most diverse wildlife found in Michigan. In fact, Jackson County is home to the largest number of natural wetlands in southern Michigan and has more than 200 miles of waterway that can be traversed using a canoe or kayak, not to mention an incredible number of lakes to visit. Because of the central location on major highways, you'd think Jackson would be booming, right?. Well, not exactly. Over the past 20-25 years, Jackson has experienced an alarming decline in all of it's manufacturing businesses (a good 70% of all business in Jackson). Most of these jobs and factories have gone to Asia and Mexico. This greed-driven flight has left Jackson over a barrel and we are having to reinvent ourselves to become something a little different from the past and not end up a city full of skilled yet unemployed blue-collar workers. One thought is that Jackson, in the 1990's was pretty much left out of the economic plans drawn up by then Governor Engler, and his financial planners. Some think this may have been because Jackson does not have a large public university in its midst but it's still surprising as Jackson was such a hub for commerce over the past 100 years. Jackson currently has a booming healthcare industry. Of course, healthcare is booming everywhere rig

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A commentary to the previous post - 11/19/2006

Unfortunatley, as a "20 something", its hard to believe the few coffe houses will not do more than employ 10 high schoolers and attract people after church on sunday or saturday. The depth of this city is limited to run down bars and a complete hatred for change and any educational or arts attractions that would further make this city of interest. After studying demography and doing a field study regarding teen pregnancy, its sad to say jackson has one of the highest % of teen births following Detroit, std rates, as well as infant mortality. People dont choose to drive elsewhere to work, they must to survive. Crime rates for cities are calculated by a ratio: Population per sq mile/number of crimes. Given the small amount of people in Jackson, and a modest amount of crime, you end up with a crime rate well above national average. Big box stores have caused small shops to close making people scramble for a position. Interestingly enough a large percentage of the employees who work for the "big three", commute here. Why? very few qualified candidates. Other cities like lansing and A2 are striving to be better attracting people while jackson continues to lose business.

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A Great "Small Town" - 11/17/2006

The data on Jackson can be misleading because it refers to a very small part of the Greater Jackson area which I believe increases the population to about 200,000. This said, Jackson has a very "small town" feel to it because everyone knows everyone. This is because everyone is related to someone, or knows someone who works for the "big three" employers here: Consumers Energy, Foote Hospital or the Prison (the largest in the state.) Other big manufacturing companies exist and a surprising number of corporations have their world headquarters here (Dawn Foods, Alro Steel, etc), but still it is very hard to find a good job as there is hardly any movement once one is hired. Literally, many people make their last career move here, either dying or retiring out of their job. Lots of people choose to work elsewhere (Ann Arbor, Lansing) and commute because they like the small-town feel. "It's a great place to raise kids" is a common saying here because the crime is low, the schools are good, and of course, there's the TOY HOUSE, a locally owned toy store that's bigger and better than any Toys'R Us you've seen. Plus, the Midwest in general has a 'nurturing' nature to it. There's a big push to help reignite interest is the city. And more '20-something' coffee houses are appearing downtown. Many feel there is a change in the air (and not just frigid temperatures)... let's just hope it happens soon.

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Desperate people - 11/11/2006

After growing up around the area, I left to finish my graduate degree. After returing due to family still in the area, I was shocked to see the tragic downturn the city has taken. City government has done a wonderful job of quitely exerbing young adults. It is almost if the city hates young people. There is no place for a 20 something, and you are frowned upon at interviews, and when applying for home loans, no matter your credentials.It is made sure you are qualified for a house where "other" young homeowners are. There is a glass ceiling for young adults, and it gets lower every year. The h.s. district in which i lived continously bans a millage that would improve the quality of education, keeping kids in a horribly disadvantaged situation, which hits them when they appear in the real world. There is no oppourtunities, clubs, organizations, or anything that would interest a young person to stay after High School, if they finish.Alot of the bright students I knew who couldn't afford to go to college are alhcoholics fighting to find a job. A bar at every turn, a liqour store to follow, and only the elderly who had previously held a good life decades ago while Jackson held any manufacturing sway; are the few with livable amount of money. This city likes being dirty, with so many figures of un-employment ranging from 7 to 9 percent, this must be taken into account the city only has 28K residents. If you work, your a minorty. Its sad to down the city I was born in, but these people are truly desperate, continuing to have children in who which will never know a decent life. Three organizations in the area offer stable employment that pays above 6 an hour. But you must be a nurse, or know someone inside consumers energy, or work for the state. The most frustrating thing about this city, is the attitude of the older generation who laugh and look down on young adults squandering over wages that cannot pay for gas. I must commute to Ann arbor to find work, and soon will be leaving the state. If you have travled around the state, you will instantly notice the hard times had by most all, it is very visible. It will be sad for my wife and I to leave our relatives here, but this place has little to offer to anyone.

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Michigan in recession - 8/14/2006

Jackson Michigan is middle class and going down hill, because of auto related businesses are closing. Not an area to move to if you aren't willing to work for mim. wage.

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Jackson sucks - 6/26/2006

Jackson truly sucks, and I grew up here. There's not very many good jobs here, where you can make a decent living. There's not much downtown, the night life is pathetic. I suppose it's an alright place to raise a family if you live in the suburbs OUTside of jackson, and housing is really cheap.

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Run while you can - 12/5/2005

Decinigration, crime, jobless people, at least thats why I'm looking to get out. No place for a person with a degree of any sort.

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