I am a Michigander through and through. As I’ve mentioned before, aside from a brief freshman year of college stint in Cali, I have lived in Michigan for most of my life.
Unlike most of our hometown friends, D and I decided to stay in Michigan following our post-college years. Good thing, since we met each other after I graduated college! 😉
Call me biased, but to us, Michigan is home and we are so happy to have stayed here for a variety of reasons.
This post is sponsored by Michigan State Housing Development Authority. As always, all opinions and content are my own.
Here are six reasons to live in Michigan Post-College:
Job Opportunities in Michigan
The job market for new college grads is great in Michigan. There are numerous job opportunities across a variety of fields and wages are booming compared to the years of recession over a decade ago.
The Michigan job market is currently exceeding pre-recession levels and the number of jobs that are available to those looking remain on the rise.
D and I met at my first job out of college. While I left after a short time, we always joke that it was the best career decision I made, since we probably wouldn’t have crossed paths! 😉
I remember being a fresh college graduate, searching through online job boards, just before the recession hit. D already had a few years into his career in the financial industry. And I spent the next few years, bouncing from job to job, trying to find my “niche” in the corporate world.
From financial services to HR, where I eventually landed, I feel immensely grateful that the job opportunities in Michigan were plentiful, even back then.
Low Cost of Living in Michigan
In parallel to the to job market in Michigan, the cost of living is lower than the average of the rest of the US and many different regions in the country.
From the cost of housing/utilities to food, education. and healthcare, Michiganders’ cost of living is below the national average across the board.
While it may vary from city to city, overall, Michigan fares well in the cost of living department which can be an extremely important feature for college grads and people in their twenties who are starting out their careers and building up savings for the future.
Home Ownership in Michigan
According to Neighborhood Scout, nearly 70% of Michigan residents own a home. The opportunities for home ownership are plentiful, even for college grads and young people in their twenties.
D and I purchased our current home back in 2009 at the young ages of 26 and 28! In the last decade, we’ve grown our family (x 3) and this home has seen us grow in so many ways. The opportunity for home ownership for us was definitely made possible due to our decision to stay in Michigan during our twenties.
I still remember house hunting with D, learning our way through the real estate and banking process. There is so much to learn, but there are great resources like the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
In their Homeownership Study, it was found that:
- The number of households is expected to grow over both the short- and long-term. Between 2020 and 2025, households are expected to grow by 3 percent, and between 2020 and 2045, households are expected to grow by 11 percent.
- Over the course of the next twenty-five years, employment is expected to grow by 4 percent or 245,375 jobs
- The median sale price for both a single-family home and condominium in 2017 was affordable to households at or above 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI)
Michigan Down Payment Program
If you’re looking to buy a home in your twenties, be sure to look into the Michigan Down Payment. It is an amazing program that provides down payment assistance up to $7,500 for first-time home buyers. Eligibility requirements apply.
Revenue generated by MSHDA’s smart bond investments help support other important housing-related issues:
- Reduce homelessness
- Provide housing for veterans
- Make homeownership possible
- Educate current and new homeowners
- Preserve Michigan history
- Create and improve affordable housing
You can learn more about the Michigan Down Payment program here.
Local Travel in Michigan
I’ve mentioned it before, but I love that Michigan is such a vast region that includes the cityscape of the revitalizing downtown Detroit to the natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula.
The opportunity to see so many varying regions in one state is truly extraordinary in Michigan.
You could spend your entire twenties adventuring to the different cities and towns of Michigan and still have plenty of places to visit and re-visit time and again.
Culture & Diversity in Michigan
Another great appeal for college grads and people in their twenties to stay in Michigan is the culture and diversity. Especially, in the heart of Metro Detroit.
From night life to theater and local sports, Detroit is a major urban area that offers twenty-somethings to enjoy the culture and diversity of our generation.
Local Eats in Michigan
In part to the diversity and culture found in Michigan, the variety of local eateries in Michigan is unmatched.
I loved spending our dating years (and even now nearly ten years of marriage later) enjoying the new hot spots and hitting up our favorite local eateries that have filled our bellies with the most delicious food found in the region and across the country.
Michiganders know our food and we know it well. And the variety of foods from different cultures is something that you can’t find anywhere else!
Perhaps you’re excited about the revitalization of Detroit or you love to live near the beautiful lakes of Michigan. Regardless, Michigan is truly a gem and an amazing place to live for college grads and young people in their twenties.
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