Reviews & Comments
Charlotte, MI
Way more Provincial than I prefer -
7/31/2006I grew up not far from this community and moved back here several years ago. Over the last 25 years, nothing has really changed. You're basically living in a farm area with the closest major city being Lansing. If you like to hunt and listen to Country Western music, then you're in your element.
Personally, I find the area to be very much behind the times. Thinking is quite antiquated and if you enjoy a very conservative mindset, this is the place for you. I, however, lived for nearly 25 years in Northern California and tend to think like a Westerner, which apparently isn't very popular in this part of the country. I have very little in common with the folks here. If there was currently ever a fish out of water, it is me! Even though I have family in this area, I regret moving here. Life here is boring, unexciting and for the most part, stagnant. I am looking forward to a change.
The economy and job market is miserable and I don't have much in common with people here. With the auto industry taking such a big hit, jobs are very difficult to find because that industry was a major labor market for many residents. Michigan is doing what it can I suppose to turn that around. I just don't understand why it has taken them so long to realize that change was necessary and now, even more important than ever. If this state wants to survive, change is mandatory.
For example, an abundance of people still smoke here and as a non-smoker, I find that nasty habit very offensive and very out of touch with today's values. Young people smoke here because their parents do and evidently Mom and Dad advocate that smoking is OK. These are just a few of my thoughts and though they have a negative connotation, those are my feelings. I sincerely wish I could have been more positive but I'm a realist and pretty much call it like I see it. You, on the other hand, may really enjoy this area.
In summary, I hope that at some point Michigan wins at playing the catch-up game but I believe it's going to take much more time than what I can allocate.