Michigan offers the natural beauty of national parks, the biggest freshwater lakes in the world, and a vibrant camping and boating culture. It’s a great state to live in, with major cities and small towns that offer the feel that many people crave.
Fast Facts About Michigan
| Population | 10.08M |
| Median Household Income | $66,986 |
| Employment Rate | 58.7% |
| Total Housing Units | 4.47M |
Michigan’s Natural Beauty
Michigan is called “The Great Lakes State” because it is home to the largest concentration of freshwater lake and river systems in the entire world. Four Great Lakes border the state, including Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior and Lake Erie.
West Michigan and the Lake Michigan Shore
West Michigan is home to cities like Holland, Grand Haven, South Haven, Saugatuck, Ludington and Manistee, which are all near (or on) the Lake Michigan shore. With white sandy beaches, expansive parks and trails, Lake Michigan is a tourist attraction for out-of-towners and locals alike.
History buffs flock to Alpena, which is known for Thunder Bay on Lake Huron and home to the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The bay is considered “Shipwreck Alley” because of its unpredictable weather and many sunken ships.
The Upper Peninsula and Lake Superior
Located north of the Upper Peninsula, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world and is sometimes called “The Freshwater Sea.” This massive lake is also the coldest and is known for destinations like the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Folks living in the U.P. and near Lake Superior are braced for icy winters, but enjoy quiet, spectacular summers in small towns or in the charming city of Marquette.
Lake Erie: A Shared Shoreline
Considered the second smallest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie shares its shoreline with Michigan, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Canada. It is the shallowest and warmest of the Great Lakes, and therefore is home to migrating birds and plenty of sports fisheries for adventurous anglers.
World-class Hiking, Camping and Fishing
If you like to get outdoors, Michigan lends itself to a myriad of recreational activities. Learning to sail is a rite of passage for a lot of young people in Michigan. Whether steering your family pontoon or sailing a dinghy, spending time out on one of the state’s many lakes is a huge part of growing up.
Anglers catch bluegill, small and largemouth bass, pike, perch and trout all over the state. Many folks boat to sandbars and float down rivers to socialize during the summer months.
Michigan is also known for its “Up North” culture, where vacations are often spent in northern campgrounds, kayaking on rivers or on long road trips to watch the autumn leaves change color. On the way, drivers stop at maple candy and cherry stands, apple orchards, pumpkin farms, and wineries and cideries.
When it’s time to play outside, there are dozens of white sandy beaches, cross-state horse riding trails, sand dune rides and little coastal villages to shop and dine in.
Michigan Cities: College Towns to Motown
From Detroit to Ann Arbor, Michigan’s major cities each offer a distinct personality that’s shaped by the people who live there.
Detroit’s Revitalization and Cultural Scene
Detroit is the largest city in Michigan, right across the river from Canada. It’s famous for its automobile industry, Motown Records, and sports teams like the Detroit Lions and Detroit Tigers.
The city is a thriving hub for artists and musicians, and was the hometown of celebrities like Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Big Sean, Eminem and Kid Rock.
Detroit’s historic buildings like the Detroit Opera House and Fox Theater, as well as its variety of cultural markets, cuisine and spoken languages, make it the state’s most significant metropolitan city.
Grand Rapids’ Beer Scene and Innovation
Grand Rapids earned the nickname “Beer City, USA,” and it’s no joke. There are seemingly endless craft breweries to explore and dozens of beer selections at every restaurant in town.
Founders Brewing Company is one of the most popular places to grab a pint, but places like New Holland Brewery, The Mitten Brewing Company, TwoGuys Brewing and Brewery Vivant round out a top-tier selection of craft beer.
Grand Rapids is also home to dozens of tech startups and locally owned businesses and hot spots.
College students and young professionals alike can be found partying on Ionia Street, catching a game or concert at Van Andel Arena, or repping the Grand Valley State University colors.
Ann Arbor’s College Town Charm
The folks who live in Ann Arbor “bleed blue” for the University of Michigan, which is one of the state’s premier universities. The university also owns a sizable portion of downtown Ann Arbor.
Considered one of the top places to live in Michigan, Ann Arbor may be getting expensive, but the city more than makes up for it with a great culinary scene, bookstores, pedestrian promenades, U of M football games and forested parks.
The Ann Arbor Film Festival, farmers markets, marathon races and art fairs make the city an event destination.
Cost of Housing in Michigan
Michigan’s median home price is $224,400, which is well below the national median price of $428,600.
Why so low? Aside from major cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids, most of Michigan is made up of much smaller cities or charming rural towns.
That means there are numerous opportunities to own land at lower prices in the state. However, it also means that driving long distances to get groceries or to visit neighboring towns can be the norm.
Michigan for Families: A Great Place to Raise Kids
Michigan is a family-friendly place to live. The state has plentiful parks, children’s museums, indoor waterparks and even its own amusement park, Michigan Adventure. With so many available activities, families find plenty of ways to enjoy living in Michigan.
Michigan Public School Systems Offer Quality Education
Several public school districts in Michigan earn an A+ grade from Niche, which means that there are hundreds of schools in the state that provide an excellent education.
Some of the top districts are in southeast Michigan near Detroit or Ann Arbor, including:
- Novi Community School District
- Troy School District
- Northville Public Schools
- Grosse Pointe Public School System
- Ann Arbor Public Schools
Further west, the East Lansing School District and East Grand Rapids Public Schools provide well-rounded education.
Michigan for College Students
Depending on your education goals, the colleges and universities in Michigan can be a great place to get started. Some of the top universities in Michigan include:
- University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
- Michigan State University in East Lansing
- Michigan Technological University in Houghton
- Wayne State University in Detroit
- Grand Valley State University in Allendale and Grand Rapids
Is Michigan a Good Place to Live for Retirees?
There are several 55+ communities to explore in Michigan, often with a lake view or with access to marinas and boat launches. There are villa communities and condo associations in picturesque towns, with the only caveat being that you’ll need to brave the cold winters.
There are several independent and assisted living communities, including American House Village in centrally located Bloomfield, or Independence Village of Traverse City which is close to the bay.
Most include amenities such as large apartments, fitness centers, swimming pools or community classes.
Access to Quality Healthcare
Michigan is home to several nationally renowned hospitals and medical centers, from the famous Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor to the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
The hospitals on Grand Rapids’ “Medical Mile” include Blodgett and Butterworth hospitals, which are both part of the Corwell Health system.
In mid-Michigan, there are McLaren hospitals, such as the ones in Mount Pleasant or Bay City.
Michigan for Young Professionals
Many Michigan students transition into young professionals, joining hundreds of top companies without ever leaving the state.
Meijer, the famous Greenville-born grocery store chain, is a top employer along with automobile giants like General Motors and Ford.
The University of Michigan employs thousands of medical professionals all over the state within their health centers and clinics.
Some professionals flock to places like Grand Rapids, while others might travel northward to destinations like Traverse City or Mackinaw City.
Nightlife and Cultural Events
The cities within Michigan have lots to offer. You could find yourself watching an off-Broadway show, partying in a bustling downtown, shopping and dining along a charming waterfront, or attending festivals, farmers markets and concerts.
Some of the more famous events in Michigan include:
- 4th of July fireworks festival in Bay City
- Mackinac Island Fudge Festival
- The Allegan County Fair
- The Holly Renaissance Festival
- North American International Auto Show in Detroit
- Holland’s Tulip Time festival
Michigan’s Weather: Four Distinct Seasons
The main complaint Michiganders hear most from new residents is that it’s too cold outside. Moving to Michigan means embracing winter sports and activities to help the long, darker months pass by.
From hiking to skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing, there are ways to embrace mother nature when she’s going through a cold snap.
Pleasant Summers with Plenty of Sunshine
The best time in Michigan is when the snow has thawed and it’s time to get out on the lakes. Michigan is a nautical state, where boating, fishing, jet skiing and kayaking are common pastimes for plenty of people who live here.
“Going up north” is a huge part of Michigan life. Parents often pull their kids out of school early on a Friday to head up for a weekend-long camping trip as soon as the weather turns nice. Some campers even enjoy autumnal camping to watch the leaves change.
Crime Rates and Living in Michigan
Though Michigan is considered one of the safer states overall, it does have some of the most dangerous cities in the country.
Detroit, Benton Harbor, Saginaw and Kalamazoo in particular are known for their high violent crime rates. Still, thousands of people prefer to call one of these cities home.
Before deciding where to live in Michigan, it’s important to check the crime statistics of the neighborhoods that you’re considering.
Michigan’s Economy
Michigan’s economy is influenced by its finance, manufacturing, government and social service industries. Major sectors include retail, higher education, hospitals and motor vehicle manufacturing.
There are plenty of professional opportunities with established companies to explore in the state of Michigan. Companies such as Carhartt, Domino’s, Ford, General Motors, Little Caesars, Kellog’s, Jiffy, and Bell’s and Founders breweries all got their start in Michigan.
The Bottom Line: Is Michigan a Good Place to Live?
Yes, Michigan is a great place to live, provided you’re willing to embrace the cold winters and short summers. The Great Lakes State offers city living and small towns, as well as plenty of countryside if you seek a rural atmosphere.
There are affordable housing options in Michigan, and there’s beautiful scenery and top-notch universities – including the University of Michigan and Michigan State. If you are looking to live somewhere beautiful, study with the best, work in emerging industries or simply retire somewhere by the lake, Michigan might be for you.
Shelby Sullivan is an experienced content writer with a background reporting on national parks and outdoor destinations. She has written extensively for Homes.com, with a focus on how communities across the United States benefit from their neighborhood parks, trails and lakes. As a native Michigander, Shelby loves writing about neighborhoods where getting outdoors is easy and finding adventure is around every corner. She received her Bachelor of Applied Cultural Anthropology from Grand Valley State University and now spends her time hiking around Richmond, Virginia, with her hound, Sage.
