Moving to Ann Arbor, MI...

[bigwalton]

Do the localities have their own tax on top of that? If not, 6% will be nice! From the NC tax page:

"Most items sold within the state are subject to a 7 percent sales tax, which includes 4.5 percent state and 2.5 percent local portions." (most items is everything other than groceries)

It's now 6.75%, they dropped the state portion .25%

I just filed our state income taxes last week with the federal so that's nothing new their either.

Property tax, check!

I also have Durham county and city taxes too (we're paying for the wife's 8 mile commute). Taxes don't worry me, I'm used to 'em.
I would find it VERY hard to believe that we could move to a MORE taxed area. (we have emissions testing here too to top it off )

Thanks for the area descriptions, that's most helpful in looking around.

I'm not a hunter or a history nut, but I used to enjoy fishing. Sounds like I might be able to get back into it if we move.



Just to be clear, because a couple people seemed to miss this: we're not moving for certain and, even if we do (it does look very possible), it won't be until late this year/early next year. So I've got another season at Uwharrie and I'll be using the reservations at the Village Inn for Oak Ridge in the fall

 

[cj7fun]

We do not have a local sales tax. We stopped emissions testing during the early-'90s.

With the amount of lakes, rivers, and streams Michigan has to offer, fishing is very popular all year.

 

[bigwalton]

We do not have a local sales tax. We stopped emissions testing during the early-'90s.

With the amount of lakes, rivers, and streams Michigan has to offer, fishing is very popular all year.

So the negatives you thought you were pointing out are really positives

We're hearing from more and more folks how cool A2 is... Kate's asking around with folks that were in this particular lab or were friends at Duke that are now at U of M... it's looking really positive. Cold is the only complaint so far

 

[wimps81096]

All this being said, I think that MI is a fantastic place to raise a family. Activities abound in the outdoors. Summer and winter alike. I have lived in 5 midwestern states and love the opportunities that michigan offers the best. Personally I live on a lake in oakland county where friends are ALWAYS invited to waterski, wakeboard, tube and float. Lakes and rivers are everywhere. Woods are always just a short drive away, especially if youre down in the outskirts of AA. My one true dissappointment(current economy not included) is the LACK of snow we have been getting in recent years. However I think there are few, 4 season, states with more to offer and more distinct and beautiful seasons.

In truth, it is a great time to buy a house in MI. I myself WISH I was moving here because of the real estate opportunities. And as long as your wife is at the U of M, the current state of our depressed economy doesnt hurt so much. She couldn't do much better in her profession.

In anycase, I LOVE IT HERE. Montana is the only other place Id rather be and then only for the backcountry snowboarding.

I am only 45 minutes to AA, so if you are in the area and would like to get together or go boating (summer only pls). We could easily hook up.

Good luck with all you do

Scott "I never should have sold the world cab hardtop and doors" johnson

 

[bigwalton]

The more I read and research, the more we're liking this possibility (bitter old man comments aside )

I am working on the ability to keep at my current job and just telecommuting, which is (knock on wood) looking promising.

Between that and Kate being at UM as you mentioned, I feel pretty good about being able to deal with the economy and it seems to me that the city/state and private sector are working on good solutions to replacing Pfizer.

It's hard to look at the housing market and not want to just start buying places!!! Rather amazing and I don't think that the bottom is really in sight yet. I'd bet around the end of this year things will be at a low point... which happens to be right when we'll be looking

I was thinking that it might be interesting to try to use Craigslist/local ads to line up a deal on a place with somone from Pfizer that knows they'll be leaving closer to the time we're moving up... seems like there ought to be quite a few folks looking to get a grip on what they'll have to do to sell their places later this year... have a little reverse auction on a place for us to live

If any of the local Jeep folks that y'all know are Pfizer people and are in this situation, send them my way! I'd kind of feel good about working something out with one of the families in that awful situation so we could be helping out in some measure. I can't imagine the feelings of helplessness and desparation that this must have brought down on these people... we'd also have some good flexibility on timing and such with the only issue being our need to sell our current place.


Anyway, we have Kate's meeting with the lab director coming up next Monday. After that, things will be very much clearer (if not basically done) as to whether we'll be coming up that way.

 

[cj7fun]

If any of the local Jeep folks that y'all know are Pfizer people and are in this situation, send them my way! I'd kind of feel good about working something out with one of the families in that awful situation so we could be helping out in some measure.

If you take the time to write a house wanted ad that includes amenities and price range, I'll be glad to forward it to a couple friends at Pfizer. They have internal on-line classified ads and you'd probably get many responses.

 

[bigwalton]

If you take the time to write a house wanted ad that includes amenities and price range, I'll be glad to forward it to a couple friends at Pfizer. They have internal on-line classified ads and you'd probably get many responses.

COOL! I'll definitely take you up on that if things go well at Kate's meeting next week.

 

[GreatCJ8]

can you say COLD?

No & I don't wanna, LOL

I'm not far enough South! The hotter the better

 

[Robert Slone]

No & I don't wanna, LOL

I'm not far enough South! The hotter the better

Here, Here!!




A crew is starting construction on our inground pool next week.
I say bring on the heat and humidity. If it gets too bad I'll sit in the shade.


So, if you move I guess I'll have to build my trail all by myself.

 

[GreatCJ8]

Here, Here!!




A crew is starting construction on our inground pool next week.
I say bring on the heat and humidity. If it gets too bad I'll sit in the shade.


So, if you move I guess I'll have to build my trail all by myself.

what trail?

oh & I'll most likely only live down there from thanksgiving until Spring Break starts. (sorry for thehijack ) & then migrate back here to work the season up here

 

[bigwalton]

If it gets too bad I'll sit in the shade.
(

AH! but that's just the thing, there IS NO SHADE from humidity!!!

That's exactly what I hate about it!!! It's often feels just as hot in the shade. There's no escaping it without being inside in A/C and I hate the idea that in the summer (when you should want to be outside) I can't STAND to be outside. Even the breeze is often so hot and humid that it's disgusting and you wish it would stop!


Anyhow, Kate had her first meeting with the lab chief from UM and it went very well, she's going to let us know what is going on next week after a couple of other interviews. She's emailed and made it almost sound like a done deal, so we're starting to get excited!

 

[John N]

AH! but that's just the thing, there IS NO SHADE from humidity!!!

That's exactly what I hate about it!!! It's often feels just as hot in the shade. There's no escaping it without being inside in A/C and I hate the idea that in the summer (when you should want to be outside) I can't STAND to be outside. Even the breeze is often so hot and humid that it's disgusting and you wish it would stop!

You just have to approach it right. That's when it's time to go to the beach!

 

[bigwalton]

BTT for almost absolute certainty now...

Kate was offered the position at UM and her lab chief wants her up there ASAP after she's done with the PhD because she has a project underway that Kate would be perfect to lead. Great for Kate as it gives her a chance to be published really quickly into her "post-doc" (that's what they call the next job after you get your PhD) and that would be a huge start.

So, last week, I had the owners of the company here go with me off-site for a long meeting to go over some things and I proposed staying on, working from home in MI. As I do a lot of remote communications with clients already as my main function, this shouldn't be too big a deal. We're also actively working to get new clients and the majority of them are NOT in the SE, so I'd actually be better able to get to them from Ann Arbor with the Detroit airport so close.

Now I have to wait to hear back on whether they are going to let me do this or not. I'm thinking lots of positive thoughts right now.

I'll be taking some folks up on their offers earlier on in the thread here, might take a bit for me to get into the swing of things though...

Thanks to everyone for their feedback/opinions/support...

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Give me a shout when you get to Michigan, Eric. I'm glad things are falling into place.

Craig

 

[bigwalton]

Yeah, keep your fingers crossed on the one additional big piece (my job) falling in there too.

 

[Marine-OpLaw]

From a born, bred & edumicated Buckeye... (aka 'worthless nut')

If you get as far as OH and lose your sense of direction, your other senses will get you to Missed-U-Again : Simply go north 'til you smell it, then turn left and head west 'til you step in it'! [Courtesy of the OSU Alumni Assn.]

Seriously though, if I can... and IF you need a driver to get one of your heaps up there, I'd be glad to lend a hand... and that would get me a ride north so I could drive one of my heaps down here (& maybe towing another). Just let me know... and give me LOTS of lead time.

 

[Duffman]

Congrats to the both of you...

Thats great for both of you. For what its worth when my little woman finished her residency at the UMC I was hoping to get outta the south for a better job market. Its only been a coupla years but now she (Dr. Laura) has gotten a lot of the experience she would need for other better paying jobs, more importantly positions across the US when the "right" job comes along so we can both really get settled.

Couldn't agree with you more about the HOA stuff. Man do they put a thorn in your side about every little thing. Had to talk my way out of a few fines for dog poop, oil leaks, ....

Just wanted to say I think its great ya'll are making fantastic strides together in what could be for other people "difficult times".

Duff

 

[bigwalton]

Thanks Jerry and Duff.

Jerry, I may just take you up on that offer... we'll have to see how it all pans out with the garage/storage situation. Should have a lot of lead time on the trip up.

Duff, we lucked out on this situation (correction: obviously Kate's a smart cookie when it comes to this stuff ). Kate's got others in her lab now that are real jealous if not outright fussed that she found a spot in such a good place with such relative ease. There's a couple of 'em that have been looking themselves for over a year with no luck!

I'm just glad that I had the intelligence to MARRY UP when the opportunity presented itself... I'll move wherever I need to as she's the one with basically unlimited earning potential to fund my Jeep habit!

 

[GreatCJ8]

HAHAHAHAH!!!

It's not a done deal yet!

I've been trying not to think about missing out on the gatherings and trips with the "locals" here... not getting to Oak Ridge each fall would be somewhat depressing. I think I'd miss y'all most, followed closely by the BBQ

what time frame (when) I need to get the alternator to you..

speaking of which, if I buy my second Jeep tonight (wish me luck!) I'd be down for a weekend in URE ANYTIME (except this weekend, going to watch the truck & nascar race live in Martinsville)
Getting the alternator to you would be the perfect excuse to go out there & test out the new (to me) Jeep

 

[bigwalton]

We wouldn't be moving until late this year or early next year (perfect timing for moving to MI, right? )

You have plenty of time...

We have a lot going on around the house right now, I don't know when I can shake loose for a URE trip. I could shoot for a day later in April maybe.