“Home” Is Where The Heart Is
Home. Even the word evokes a feeling of comfort and joy for me. The type that makes me want to sing. So, before I dive into why home is so special to me, let’s take a trip down YouTube lane, shall we?
Aaaaand….press play below, please.
The lyric, “Home is wherever I’m with you” is so true, isn’t it?! Home is where the heart is — where my family is. Our little crew of four, of which every person is a vital part of the whole, makes up the feeling of “home” for me.
“Home” Is Where The Heart Is
Even if the four of us packed up and moved across the world, I know we’d feel home so long as we are together. But even so, our home is made better by those in our lives beyond just our core family unit — parents, siblings, and friends — who live nearby and who we love to visit. Which is why the physical place of where we hold the feeling of home is essential.
For us that place is Michigan, which is where most of our friends and family reside. The people here are some of the closest to us, and were a key driver in us making the decision to move from Chicago to metro Detroit last year. Especially now that we’re here, I honestly think that we’d choose Michigan as our home regardless. The state has so much to offer!
I consider Michigan a hidden gem.
What Is It About Michigan?
This is something I get asked all the time.
Both Doug and I were raised in Michigan, and we got to experience firsthand what it means to live and grow up in such a unique place. Those fond memories were a huge pull for us in our decision to return. When it came down to it, we wanted our kids to have the experiences and memories that we did while growing up.
I imagine that, if you didn’t grow up here, it’s hard to understand. After all, the Midwest is known for being the root of America’s manufacturing and farming. Doesn’t exactly say, “Living here rocks” like other places, right?
For me, Michigan is home. This feeling is something that fellow Michiganders know, understand, and love. But, honestly, it’s hard to put into words. I’ll do my best to try!
Here are some of the things I love about living in Michigan. All of these reasons have played into why we decided to return to our home state to raise our family, and they’re big reasons why I believe this state is so amazing.
7 Things I Love About Living In Michigan
You’re Always Surrounded By Water
Fun fact: One is never more than 6 miles from an inland lake while in Michigan. And that’s not even including the Great Lakes — just inland lakes! Think about the sheer amount of water that this requires, and the fact that literally everyone in the state is closely connected to it.
As many Michiganders relate to, I grew up constantly on a body of water. I think this is a huge reason why I identify so much with the element. Being near water — specifically Lake Michigan — is my happy place.
“Lake Effect”
Similar to what islanders refer to as “island time,” there’s a mentality that the water brings. We call it the “Lake Effect” — it’s a “life is good” mindset where not much matters besides enjoying your company. Time slows, and worries disappear. A lake’s presence teaches you to just… I don’t know…go with the flow a bit more.
There’s Magic In The Seasons
Gosh, you guys. The seasons. There’s endless magic and beauty that each one brings.
Winter is all about slowing down and pressing reset. As much as I curse it when it gets closer to spring and summer, there’s a lot of things that I would miss if I didn’t live here. Soft snow falling on quiet streets. Sledding, skiing, ice skating, making snowmen and being cuddled up by a fireplace with hot chocolate. (Ok, fine, a glass of wine.) Enjoying the great indoors and all the coziness that goes with it.
Spring brings fresh energy that invigorates the rest of the year ahead. Everything is blooming and, in what seems like an overnight occurrence, the entire state erupts in greenery, flowers, and birds chirping. Storms roll in as windows are opened to hear the pitter-patter of the rain and steady thunder. The air smells fresh and bright. The sun shines, and everyone is in the best mood. (Sounds silly, but that is enough to drive a good feeling after winter, ha!)
Summer is when Michigan is its sweetest — it’s the time of year when Michiganders love to travel within the state, from up north to coastal towns. Summer is filled with perfect temperatures, driving with the windows down, long days being outdoors, concerts, festivals, boating, sunsets, and bonfires. If you live here, you know that the general feeling is that we’ve earned our summer and we’re going to live it up!
Fall carries its definition of “lovely” to which there’s nothing quite like it. Michigan is filled with trees everywhere you look, and every single one bursts into pinks, oranges, yellows, and reds. During the fall, you can do so many things like apple picking, visiting cider mills, pumpkin carving, and tailgating. It brings a cozy feeling similar to winter, and you can’t help but smile at all the plaid, scarves, and sweaters that emerge.
I think it boils down to one key thing. The seasons of Michigan are varied, and they don’t last long. Because of this, there’s an inherent appreciation of what each one brings. This mentality emphasizes enjoying the moment, but most of all, it brings a special magic to otherwise ordinary things like the sun shining, leaves changing, or snow falling.
Below: The many, magical seasons of Michigan!
“Up North”
This is a term Michiganders use whenever we’re traveling to the lake. It’s funny, because while you often are heading up north, the term isn’t reserved for just up north. You could be heading east or west — the term really just means you’re heading to a shoreline or remote town somewhere and you’re going to chill. The “Lake Effect” mentality I noted prior is always in full force when you’re up north!
Adorable Coastal Towns
There are so many charming coastal towns in Michigan that are of course at their peak in the summer, but have lots to offer year round. We can’t get enough of them! My favorites are Saugatuck, St. Joseph, Holland, South Haven, Petoskey, Traverse City, and Mackinac Island. It’s so nice that they’re all within a few hours of metro Detroit and are super easy to visit.
The People
Alright, so, of course, I’m biased. But in my humble opinion, the people here are some of the best on earth.
Michiganders are just good, nice people who are grounded, enthusiastic, and reliable. Michiganders are Midwestern, but with a twist.
The “Lake Effect” mentality comes into play here, but we also work very hard. Our roots are grounded in industry and creativity. We’re driven by the Motor City and the birthplace of Motown. We have seen hardships, but we’ve also emerged stronger from them. I’ve heard time and time again from employers that the Midwest work ethic is a real thing and Michiganders have it.
It’s (Relatively) Affordable
When I think about how much money it cost us to live in Chicago for a decade, it makes me ill. Moving back to Michigan has been an amazing decision for so many reasons, and one of them is the cost of living! To give that further context, I’ll note that we’re essentially paying the same amount per month for our house with a yard, in a nice neighborhood that we feel safe in, as we were paying for our Chicago apartment. Crazy, right?!
A Mic-Drop Resource For Michiganders
Alright, so, you get it. Michigan is the best. But, wait! I’m about to blow your mind with yet another reason why this state is amazing.
Michigan has organizations like the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), which is all about helping to provide homes and preserve places for the people who live here. They offer things like home loans, down payment assistance, and housing education resources, which goes toward their overall goal of helping to make Michigan “home” for more people.
Like I said…mic drop!
Bringing it back to home being where the heart is, I find it incredible that there are organizations like MSHDA that are dedicated to helping Michiganders achieve homeownership. If you’re a Michigander like me or you’re curious about moving to Michigan, learn how MSHDA can help you!
Are you a fellow Michigander? What do you love about living in this state? Why do you like calling it “Home”? If you’re not from Michigan, what makes your state “Home” to you? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
This post was sponsored by the MSHDA, however all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help to support Isn’t That Charming!
PS – How We’re Adjusting To Detroit + Your Moving Questions Answered
