Originally Posted by
bibs
I'm part of the brain drain. I moved from Metro Detroit to Madison County which is located just east of St Louis, MO on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. My wife had been laid off several times supporting GM and I was laid off from GM. I moved here for a steady job and a more diverse economy. Since Metro-Detroit is so reliant on the auto-industry, we felt that we would have a better chance maintaining employment in a region where the economy is more diverse. We weren't sure how long it would take the region to rebound.
Everytime we come back, we are more convinced it was the right move. It's about ten degrees warmer here, less snow and more sun. The people here are more compasionate and resoectful. Crime is low and the schools are great. In 30 minutes, I can be in St Louis for all their great cultural attracations
When I came back to St Clair Shores for Christmas, I noticed a few things. The people looked worn out and depressed. The middle class neighborhoods that were vibrant when I was growing up are declining. The winter weather was really taking a toll on the freeways especially I-696 from I-75 to I-94. All the street lights on Jefferson were out. The constant negative comments in the Freep anytime anyone tries to get anything done.
Metro-Detroit is still an economic power house compared to St Louis and there is a ton of opportunity there. But it is still a one industry town and about six exectutives hold the future of the region in their hands. That's a lot of power in the hands of a few people. You have all your eggs in one basket. I tell everyone I can to visit Michigan because it is a beautiful state.