Reviews & Comments
Battle Creek, MI
Beautiful Scenery - No Jobs - Good Schools - Easy -
9/4/2009I'm a Battle Creek native, have lived here all my life. Battle Creek boasts the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the midwest. It has 4 distinct seasons, unfortunately winter dominates and lasts almost 6 months each year. So if you are in to winter sports and like the cold and damp this is the place for you!
There is the lush greenery of the spring and bright fall follage we look forward to, set against the lack of sunlight from early November to February. A few years ago Battle Creek set a record for lack of sunlight for 40 straight days. Like living on the dark side of the moon! No wonder that so many people who live here are treated for Seasonal Depressive Disorder during the dark winter months.
There is no humidity in the winter months -- static electricty is the norm unless you acquire an indoor humidifier. It's just the opposite with oppressive humidity May through Mid October. The summer heat with the humidity is also bad. Can get in the mid-90s with 90+% humidity from late June thru mid-September. This is also not the best place for allergy sufferers, due to the excessive pollen, ragweed and other spores in the air in spring, summer and fall.
If you decide to move here, be aware that jobs are scarce unless you have an advanced degree in food science, medicine or other similiar field. With a minimum 15%+ unemployment rate (it's much higher than has been officially reported) there is really stiff competition for entry-level and mid level jobs. Late last year one of the cereal companies had 10 entry level factory openings of which 5,000 people applied. Several temporary job agencies have left town as there are is not even enough temporary work to keep them in business here.
Battle Creek is unfortunately noted for its high crime rate. With the poor ecomony, breaking and entering and robberies are on the increase. Also have a higher than average murder rate.
On a positive note, the cost of living and house prices are well below the national average. The Battle Creek area has good public schools, libraries and cultural events. Also, being a smaller town, it's an easy commute to anywhere in greater Battle Creek. There are enough stores and restaurants to provide some variety. Most retail and quite of few of the restaurants are chain franchises. However, there are a number of quite good, locally owned and operated restaurants.
Hope this helps you decide about living in Battle Creek.
Battle Creek, MI
Out of Control - Unemployment - Beautiful Battle C -
9/4/2009Battle Creek (B.C.)is a beautiful town, I've lived here all my life and adore the scenery. I love the lush greens of spring and the spectacular fall colors. There are two rivers, many creeks and lakes in and outside of town. There are Parks, playing fields, walking and bike paths. There are farms with neatly plowed fields abounding with corn and other crops just outside of town. In these farm fields, you'll also see cattle and horses grazing and sometimes white tail deer running and jumping.
Unfortunately, we have new scenery that has srung up in the last decade that isn't as attractive, namely closed and boarded up businesses by the dozens. Once thriving storefront windows contain "for sale" or "for rent" signs or cereal boxes faded by several years of sun exposure.
It's almost impossible to sell a house for anything close to its worth in the greater Battle Creek area. House values have fallen sharply in the last 3 yrs. The unemployment rate has sky-rocketed to over 13%. It is probably a lot higher as that number reflects only those currently on unemployment or actively registered for work through the state's employment service. Battle Creek used to be a good place to live and raise a family but that sadly is a thing of the past.
If you seek part time, entry-level work or a high-level corporate food science position you will be able find a job in Battle Creek. However, if your skills are in the mid-level range or not related to cereal production you'll have a tough time completing with hundreds of unemployed for just one opening. Several Temporary Agencies have closed as even they cannot survive on the few jobs Battle Creek has to offer.
It makes me sad to see this beautiful town in such dire straits. I hope that someday jobs will return to Battle Creek so that all its citizens will have a decent standard of living. This Battle Creek native will be forced to leave Battle Creek soon for another community that can provide me with stable employment so I can support myself. I don't want to go, but it's getting to the point that I have no choice.