Kalamazoo, Michigan

[jemcam]

There's a 50/50 chance that I'll soon have the opportunity to move there for a nice promotion. It looks nice based on the research I've done on the 'net. Housing prices are VERY affordable and it looks like a nice area. Based on the research I've done, I can move into a much nicer house for the same mortgage that I have now.

I guess I should add that I'm currently living in central Illinois.

I'm 45, my wife is 44, we both work for the same company and have for years. I have a son who is 11 FWIW.

Thanks, appreciate it.

 

[iamwiz82]

It's a nice place that hasn't seen the hugely negative economic downturn that Southeastern Michigan has because it's a lot less reliant on the automotive industry.

Check out The Kalamazoo Promise: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamazoo_Promise

 

[rudeguy]

I was just in Kzoo yesterday!

The housing prices are very affordable here. There are some really good schools for your son as well. If you are looking for a nice area around Kalamazoo, check out Gull Lake and the area around that.

What kind of work do you do BTW?

 

[AdamK47]

This

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
It's a nice place that hasn't seen the hugely negative economic downturn that Southeastern Michigan has because it's a lot less reliant on the automotive industry.

Check out The Kalamazoo Promise: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalamazoo_Promise

The Kalamazoo Promise is VERY intriguing, I read about that over the weekend!

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: rudeguy
I was just in Kzoo yesterday!

The housing prices are very affordable here. There are some really good schools for your son as well. If you are looking for a nice area around Kalamazoo, check out Gull Lake and the area around that.

What kind of work do you do BTW?

My employer would not appreciate me mentioning their name, so let's just say it's the insurance/financial industry.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: AdamK47
This

I saw they have several microbrewers. Alas, I am no longer a drinker.

 

[rudeguy]

No problem. I am very close to Kalamazoo and go down there pretty regularly. Let me know if you need any leg work done for you (taking pictures etc.).

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: rudeguy
No problem. I am very close to Kalamazoo and go down there pretty regularly. Let me know if you need any leg work done for you (taking pictures etc.).

I really appreciate it. I am driving up there this Wednesday for an interview and will have a couple of hours to check out the town. It's hard to get a feel for a town in a couple of hours though.

 

[VoteQuimby]

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: rudeguy
I was just in Kzoo yesterday!

The housing prices are very affordable here. There are some really good schools for your son as well. If you are looking for a nice area around Kalamazoo, check out Gull Lake and the area around that.

What kind of work do you do BTW?

My employer would not appreciate me mentioning their name, so let's just say it's the insurance/financial industry.

Central Illinois eh? State Farm then?

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: VoteQuimby

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: rudeguy
I was just in Kzoo yesterday!

The housing prices are very affordable here. There are some really good schools for your son as well. If you are looking for a nice area around Kalamazoo, check out Gull Lake and the area around that.

What kind of work do you do BTW?

My employer would not appreciate me mentioning their name, so let's just say it's the insurance/financial industry.

Central Illinois eh? State Farm then?

 

[mooseracing]

Grew up in SW Mich my whole life, I see nothing wrong with Kzoo except it's too big of a town for me, although currently living in Grand Rapids. Just make sure to get a place away from Apt's or houses near WMU.

 

[VoteQuimby]

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: VoteQuimby

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: rudeguy
I was just in Kzoo yesterday!

The housing prices are very affordable here. There are some really good schools for your son as well. If you are looking for a nice area around Kalamazoo, check out Gull Lake and the area around that.

What kind of work do you do BTW?

My employer would not appreciate me mentioning their name, so let's just say it's the insurance/financial industry.

Central Illinois eh? State Farm then?

Bloomington or Peoria?

I'm currently in Northern Michigan so I can't say much, but Kalamazoo should be somewhat comparable (probably a little smaller). Only concern in MI right now is keeping a job. But it sounds like you're working for a larger employer You should also be able to find dirt cheap housing/foreclosures.

 

[0]

Kellogg + Pharmaceuticals FTW.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: VoteQuimby

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: VoteQuimby

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: rudeguy
I was just in Kzoo yesterday!

The housing prices are very affordable here. There are some really good schools for your son as well. If you are looking for a nice area around Kalamazoo, check out Gull Lake and the area around that.

What kind of work do you do BTW?

My employer would not appreciate me mentioning their name, so let's just say it's the insurance/financial industry.

Central Illinois eh? State Farm then?

Bloomington or Peoria?

I'm currently in Northern Michigan so I can't say much, but Kalamazoo should be somewhat comparable (probably a little smaller). Only concern in MI right now is keeping a job. But it sounds like you're working for a larger employer You should also be able to find dirt cheap housing/foreclosures.

Bloomington, been here 9 years now. In reviewing the MLS for Kzoo, I can get a hell of a nice house for $300k.

 

[Steve]

Don't forget that MI is a pretty heavily taxed state (not that IL is much better I suppose).


Anyway, just west of Kzoo on I-94, take exit 52 north toward Lawrence and get breakfast at the waffle house there, just look for the yellow roof.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: Steve
Don't forget that MI is a pretty heavily taxed state (not that IL is much better I suppose).


Anyway, just west of Kzoo on I-94, take exit 52 north toward Lawrence and get breakfast at the waffle house there, just look for the yellow roof.

Dude, I grew up in the south where you can hardly drive a mile without seeing a Waffle House. I lived 300 feet from one when I went to college in Alabama.

Ugh, if I NEVER eat at an Awful House again it will be too soon.

 

[Steve]

It's not part of the chain. Trust me, it's fantastic. Just make sure it's the one off exit 52 and not exit 44.

 

[LS21]

live next to kalamazoo brewery. profit

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: Steve
It's not part of the chain. Trust me, it's fantastic. Just make sure it's the one off exit 52 and not exit 44.

Thanks, I may give it a shot since it's NOT part of the chain.

BTW, IL is heavily taxed as well. I've never lived anywhere that has taxes like this state. It was quite a shock coming from Florida where the property taxes were very low and no state income tax.

My property tax in IL is 5x as high as it was in Florida where I lived most of my life!

 

[jaha2000]

Currently working and living in the zoo..
Pharma is a very lucrative industy

If you need me to drive by any places i can do that for ya, i am here all the time..

 

[jaha2000]

Also the large insurance provide you work for is a mere one mile from the large pharm plant.......

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: jemcam

Originally posted by: rudeguy
No problem. I am very close to Kalamazoo and go down there pretty regularly. Let me know if you need any leg work done for you (taking pictures etc.).

I really appreciate it. I am driving up there this Wednesday for an interview and will have a couple of hours to check out the town. It's hard to get a feel for a town in a couple of hours though.

BUY A GPS BEFORE YOU GO EXPLORING KZOO!

The town is laid out kind of weird. I get lost a lot there.

EDIT:
And 300k will get you a great house around here!