First time to post, need your help

none | 6/26/02 | none

[yella rose]

This is the first time I am posting, although I read Free Republic daily. I need your help and opinions. I am moving from Georgia to Michigan to live closer to my aging mother-in-law. I know nothing at all about the political environment in Michigan. I was born and raised in the south, and am a very conservative protestant. My in-laws are liberal democrats. I have children, so am interested in any info on the public school system (I know-gag)-but my husband still hasn't agreed to homeschooling. We will be moving to the Kalamazoo area. Any info and sources for me to read would be greatly appreciated.

[Dog]

Dan can you help...

[xJones]

Just use a search engine and start looking. Here's from Google Search: Kalamazoo public schools.

[ReaganIsRight]

You can split sentences into paragraphs with Shift-comma, small p, and shift-period. And always preview.

Kalamazoo is the home to Shakespeare, the fishing tackle manufacturer.

You should be able to find local newspapers in the area and read them on the net. Try a google search on Kalmazoo. Maybe Grand Rapids as well.

I lived in Pontiac for about 1 1/2 years back in the 70's. It was ok, but I'm from PA, and it's a long way back.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Michigan is home to some of the most left-wing ideology in the United States, much of it originating at the University of Michigan.

[Kermit]

I moved from LA area to Michigan about nine years ago. Kalamazoo should be a fairly conservative area with lots of church-going people. Grand Rapids has more churches per capita than any other city in the country and I'm assuming Kalamazoo is similar. I live up in Mt Pleasant.

Of course, the Public Schools are dominated by the unions, as Michigan is a big time union state (Thank you Auto Workers). If at all possible, avoid public schools. There are public Charter Schools available, check out your local options.

One thing that struck me about the attitude of Michiganders is that convenience stores (7-11, Circle K, etc) are universally called "Party Stores". Ted Nugent is a born and bred Michigander.;^)

Overall, I'd say people will be more liberal than you are probably used to, but they are very family oriented outside of Detroit Metro.

[yella rose]

Thanks for the reply. I guess I'll have to scour the net to read up on local legislatures. I know my valuable resources here in Georgia and where to find the dirt on the politicians. Personal experience is often better though then what is in print. I've only visited the area a few times. It's funny, my inlaws really think I'm some sort of ignorant radical since I'm from the south.

[another cricket]

Sadly true. However this is West Michigan she is talking about and we are a whole different ball game. Very conservative for the most part. Lot of school choice in Grand Rapids. Christian and Charter schools and even the (shudder) public schools are fairly conservative.

Should you move up here I look forward to your posting about your first experience with a little weather phenomena that we call "Lake Effect Snow" :^)

Welcome to West Michigan -the sane side of the state.

a.cricket

[dutchess]

I'm originally from Michigan (Birmingham, burb of Detroit) but have lived in Ohio for the past 25 years. My family still resides there. The big cities are generally big labor union dems. That combined with a lot of voter fraud (Detroit apparantly had a 90+ % voter turnout, yea right)took Gore over the top. But they have had a conservative pubbie governor for the past 2 terms.

My parents too have always been democrats (mom is a retired educator)but I think more of the bluedog variety. Clinton opened their eyes, mom supported Bush this time, dad didn't but now loves him.

We plan to retire in Michigan someday, there are many good conservative folks there. Regarding schools, look into communities around Kalamazoo. There are some beautiful towns to the west. I actually went to college at Albion and spent many fun nights in Kalamazoo. Not sure what Marshall is like now, but that used to be a very nice community. Michigan is big into hunting, personal rights etc. in the rural parts. We are in a rural county in Ohio (population 45,000), are only 45 minutes from Columbus and we have EXCELLENT school systems. Actually you may want to check with the election boards in adjoining counties to find out the parties of local officials as well as who won in national races. Also, Michigan has some very excellent private schools. Also, most county extension offices are involved with programs for homeschoolers if you want to research that aspect. Michigans are through Michigan State University. Feel free to freepmail me and I can provide further information.

[dutchess]

My folks have a place outside of Remus (Canadian Lakes) They were one of the "originals" from 25 years ago...We hope to retire there someday. Lots of good conservatives.

Drive through your town often. Only visited the casino once...how do the locals feel about it???

[TexasNative2000]

Thought your insights would be helpful here.

[yella rose]

I experienced some of that lake effect snow two years ago at Christmas. We have only visited my mother-in-law three times, each time it was winter and snowing. I'm going to have to toughen up some. I only left the house to go play in the snow in the yard, so I didn't get to meet anyone while I was up there. I've never driven in snow. Live and learn!

[Notforprophet]

I'm a southerner, now living just outside the Peoples Republic of Chicago. Lake-effect snow is surely a curse sent by God to chastise all these d@mn Yankees.

[another cricket]

Oh, it's not too bad. You just need to carry the proper items in your car and for the first month allow about twice as long to get where you want to go if we are having a storm.
Snow removal is done by the county so you should ask how the snow removal is if you have a choice of two different counties to live in. If you live in the county 4-wheel drive is not a luxury. Neither is a snow blower. Your kids and your back will both thank you.

a.cricket

[RightWhale]

I lived in Kalamazoo a few years ago. Seemed like a quiet town. A college and a university there.

[1rudeboy]

Michigan is home to some of the most rabid conservatives in the U.S., witness the Engler revolution and the pitchforkers' successful attempt to unseat Sen. Abraham (R).

[frodolives]

First time to post? Where are the traditional flames? Get cracking, everybody!

What do they call a pretty girl in Michigan? A visitor.

[1rudeboy]

Come to think of it, Michigan is home to Macomb County, home of the "Reagan Democrats." (Even an auto-worker likes tax cuts, as long as someone explains to him that it means that he can buy more ammunition with the $).

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Michigan voted for Al Gore in 2000.