Three metropolitan Michigan cities make Top 10 Most Affordable Cities List

The Ten Most and Least Affordable Cities list was put together by the National Association of Home Builders. There were two lists of Most and Least Affordable Cities - those with populations over 500,000 and those under 500,000. It's not surprising that no Michigan cities made the Least Affordable list, but it was nice to see three metropolitan cities make the Most Affordable list for metropolitan areas over 500,000 in population. The unfortunate aspect is the reasoning behind being affordable. If you look at the most affordable cities list you will see it is dominated by Midwest towns that had relied heavily on manufacturing and now suffer from high unemployment.

Forbes.com tweaked this listing because of the above problem and eliminated cities like Detroit and Phoenix based on additional criteria that "excluded any city any city where home prices fell by more than 10% last year."

I think Michigan is a good place to invest in right now because we've been in a recession for a few years now and the state has been positioning itself for new technologies and industries that I think will put us ahead of the nation in the long run. It's all about perseverance and staying the course.

Now for the list of Michigan cities with 500,000+ population that made the Most Affordable List:

2. Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI 4. Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, MI 5. Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI

Here's the Michigan cities with population under 500,000 that made the Most Affordable List:

1. Lansing-East Lansing, MI 5. Bay City, MI 6. Battle Creek, MI 8. Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, MI

See the entire list

Thanks to Billfer for the link.

Join the Made In Michigan group on Facebook

Special thanks to Bella for giving Gift Baskets From Michigan a nice mention in her article on How to Buy Michigan Products. When I read her article I saw that she also mentioned a Made In Michigan group on Facebook. So, if you're on Facebook be sure to join and show your support for Michigan products and businesses. Made In Michigan Facebook Group

Do you like the Detroit Tigers chances this season?

This week's poll question is all about how you think the 2009 Detroit Tigers season will end. I have a bad case of spring fever and with Spring Training underway I also have a case of baseball fever. Looking forward to an entertaining 2009 season for the Tigers and the warm weather of spring and summer. [poll id="16"]

Icy Lakeshore photo

Icy Lakeshore, originally uploaded by Blondieyooper.

Another great shot by Blondieyooper. It's still pleasant here in southwest Michigan this afternoon, but that is going to change. I've really enjoyed these two days of warm temps and feel like I can make it until spring without going nuts.

Seasoned Michiganders will enjoy today for what it is

Anyone who has been through a few Michigan winters will recognize the warm temps across the state today for what they are - an anomaly. We're supposed to get up to 65 here in southwest Michigan by this afternoon. I'll be wearing short sleeves and grilling some steaks while enjoying this brief respite from winter's icy grasp. Enjoy it while it lasts, because we Michigan winter veterans know that this is merely a tease of the spring that is still a long way off from coming. In a couple of days it's supposed to be cold and snowing again. That's why days like today are meant to have all of the fun and enjoyment we can squeeze from them. It's what gets us through the last six weeks of winter.

Have a Great Day!

:)

Free Fishing Weekend February 14-15

The winter Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan will take place February 14-15, 2009. Take your Valentine out for a day of fishing this year without having to purchase a license :). Actually, it's a great way to introduce entire families to the fun of fishing without having to invest in a license. It is supposed to warm up between now and then so ice fishing might not be a possibility (at least here in southwest Michigan).

Here's what it says at the Michigan DNR website:

All fishing license fees will be waived for two days. Residents and outstate visitors may enjoy fishing on both inland and Great Lakes' waters for all species of fish. All fishing regulations will still apply.