Midland/Mt. Pleasant Michigan Questions

timfromohio · #1 12/02/12, 08:29 AM

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some feedback on the Midland/Mt. Pleasant area of Michigan. There is a potential employment opportunity up there and I'm wondering what it's really like - from what I see on the internet, it appears to have lower land/house prices than NEOhio (where we currently live), lower population density (pros and cons associated with this), about the same gardening season, similar amount of winter weather/snow, and lower property taxes. I'm looking specifically in the area between Mt. Pleasant and Midland.

Thanks for any feedback!

TimfromOhio

Riverdale · #2 12/02/12, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timfromohio

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some feedback on the Midland/Mt. Pleasant area of Michigan. There is a potential employment opportunity up there and I'm wondering what it's really like - from what I see on the internet, it appears to have lower land/house prices than NEOhio (where we currently live), lower population density (pros and cons associated with this), about the same gardening season, similar amount of winter weather/snow, and lower property taxes. I'm looking specifically in the area between Mt. Pleasant and Midland.

Thanks for any feedback!

TimfromOhio

Tim, I live a little further south (Mt Pleasant is about 15 miles north of me, and I work in Shepherd). I live about 8 miles west of Alma.

The main drag between Mt P and Midland is M-20. The Soaring Eagle Casino is on 20, along with a lot of other of the tribal investments (there is a section that is a Indian Reservation).
Property prices are okay, there is a LOT of agriculture land around the area.

Weather wise, we seem to have more 'fog days' than 'snow days'. The fog gets rather bad spring and fall. As for snow, we got maybe 50" total last year, mostly in a couple big storms. With the ag land, there is a tendancy for blowing and drifting.

I can see about getting you info on property if you wish to PM me.

haypoint · #3 12/02/12, 09:04 AM

Because of Central Michigan University, housing around Mt. Pleasant will be higher than other areas. There is an active amish population to the north, so there is pressure on land prices for smaller farms. Soaring Eagle Casino is a big draw, too.

Midland is the corp. home of Dow Chemical. They pay good and home prices reflect this.

Soil types vary in Michigan. Many areas around Mt. Pleasant and Midland are very sandy. Continued applications of composted manure are quickly lost through the soil, becoming unavailable to plants. Other areas are poorly drained. Unless there is a place near by to drain the property, ag production is futile.

ronbre · #4 12/02/12, 09:31 AM

this is one of the more open farmland areas of the state, yes they have less snow as they are NOT in a snowbelt so they don't get the lake effect and it isn't as cold.

If you get away from the towns you'll find more acerage, but the cheaper homes might be the repos so check on those..go on the craigslist for that area and check real estate.

you are in an area there where there is a lot of job and shopping potential..and a lot of colleges around, if you have that interest..

as for permaculture or organic gardening, you'll really have to search as this is a more conventional farming area using a lot of chemicals ..thus Midland dow chemical !!

I understand the gardens there are beautiful though, I've never been, I live much farther northwest

Riverdale · #5 12/02/12, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haypoint

Because of Central Michigan University, housing around Mt. Pleasant will be higher than other areas. There is an active amish population to the north, so there is pressure on land prices for smaller farms. Soaring Eagle Casino is a big draw, too.

Midland is the corp. home of Dow Chemical. They pay good and home prices reflect this.

Soil types vary in Michigan. Many areas around Mt. Pleasant and Midland are very sandy. Continued applications of composted manure are quickly lost through the soil, becoming unavailable to plants. Other areas are poorly drained. Unless there is a place near by to drain the property, ag production is futile.

There are quite a few Amish the west and southwest of Mt P also.

There is a LOT of tiling in the area, with drainage into ditch. There is a lot of corn and bean ground, I drive by it daily, twice

A couple years ago, a house and ten acres about 3 miles from me (it was a foreclosure) was sold for $18K. That parcel needed about an additional $10K to get it 'totally liveable' (accoording to the new owner). That parcel would have been about 25 minutes from Mt P and 45 from Midland (longer in the winter).

I would determine the furthest you are willing to travel each way, and look at the outside perimeter from there. Clare, Gladwin and Beaverton areas. The ground is sandier in that area.

Mt P always has the most expensive gas in the area. Alma (15 miles south) is usually 8-15 cents/gallon cheaper.

Jim-mi · #6 12/02/12, 11:32 AM

Had to drive truck and trailer through that monster greater Cleveland area to get to NY state...........
WOW that was nasty............That part of NE Ohio is a big waste land...........(my not so humble opinion)

Mt Pleasant sure would be far and away more pleasant to live / drive . . . .
As said Dow Chem has made the *greater* Midland area pricey......
Gladwin area is far more 'homey'........

If the job offer seems good to you . . .go for it..........

timfromohio · #7 12/02/12, 01:06 PM

Thanks for all of the replies so far. I was looking online at some properties which were south of 20, between Mt Pleasant and Midland. Job location would be in Midland, but I always look for a place close to a decent university for when my kids are older - someplace that they can commute to from home.

How is 20 in the winter? Is it plowed regularly?

Jim - Cleveland is a dump. Locals refer to it as "the mistake on the lake". I live west of Akron, about 40 minutes south of Cleveland and have gone up there less than a dozen time in 8 years, with half of the dozen being work related. There are nicer areas in NEOhio, but expensive and crowded. Your assessment is correct!

Catalpa · #8 12/02/12, 01:30 PM

20 is kept up pretty good...many years ago when I went to CMU 20 was just a plain old two lane blacktop, now much of it is four lanes and very fast.

Just by driving through I could tell much of the land south of 20 is poorly drained but I'm sure there's areas that are not so swampy further south.

Mt. Pleasant used to be a pretty nice town; I remember quiet tree lined streets and never being nervous walking to a late class. Happened to drive through last summer and was sad to see how built up and drab it is now. Mission St., the main north-south through town, is just all wires and concrete and ugly storefronts. The casino is a huge complex just east of town in an area that was all fields and swamps. CMU is a good school, so is Ferris State University, not too far west of town.

Midland actually isn't too bad, for an industrialized town. It's easy to drive through and there's a large park that's pretty nice. I've been to the Loons games at the Dow Diamond a few times and really enjoyed it - clean, well maintained, easy to get to. I'd just want to make sure my home site was not downwind of the Dow complex.

One thing about that area, it's easy access to anything else you might want to see in the state, like the UP for exploring, a day at Lake Michigan, or running down to Saginaw for a concert.

Do your research before buying a property, there's oil and gas wells around that could affect well water quality and property values; and if you're planning any intensive agricultural efforts, the soil varies quite a bit.

Good luck and welcome to the Great Lakes State!

willow_girl · #9 12/02/12, 02:11 PM

I spent 20 years kicking around Clare, Gladwin and Missaukee counties and would highly recommend the area to homesteaders.

Post some links to properties you're looking at on Realtor.com (or wherever) and I'll give you some specifics.

secretcreek · #10 12/02/12, 02:38 PM

There's everything you need in Mt P. My parents own two homes: one's a newer prowfront lake home in a rustic resort type gated community next to a lake FOR SALE, 15 miles above Mt P.) The other is a historic home about19 miles W of Mt P/ then 9 miles north on 66. This place has 4-5 acres...is next to a small river,and across the road from a crystal clear lake ( w/ boat access). That house would work for homesteading- and is ideal for a fresh water supply if the SHTF... massive fireplace, but my parents are aging with health problems and need something smaller now.

-scrt

haypoint · #11 12/02/12, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secretcreek

There's everything you need in Mt P. My parents own two homes: one's a newer prowfront lake home in a rustic resort type gated community next to a lake FOR SALE, 15 miles above Mt P.) The other is a historic home about19 miles W of Mt P/ then 9 miles north on 69 This place has 4-5 acres...is next to a small river,and across the road from a crystal clear lake ( w/ boat access). That house would work for homesteading- and is ideal for a fresh water supply if the SHTF... massive fireplace, but my parents are aging with health problems and need something smaller now.

-scrt

I think you mean 9 miles north on M-66?

arbutus · #12 12/02/12, 08:40 PM

Generally FLAT topagraphy.

I don't know quite where your employment prospects are in Midland, but coming in from the SW side it can take an additional 15 or 20 minutes to get through town to the NE side, with traffic and 25 or 35 mph speed limits.

secretcreek · #13 12/02/12, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haypoint

I think you mean 9 miles north on M-66?

You are correct. Thank you. I edited it. I did not grow up at the house I mentioned and I winged the info in my post from a poor memory, obviously

scrt

Riverdale · #14 12/05/12, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timfromohio

Thanks for all of the replies so far. I was looking online at some properties which were south of 20, between Mt Pleasant and Midland. Job location would be in Midland, but I always look for a place close to a decent university for when my kids are older - someplace that they can commute to from home.

How is 20 in the winter? Is it plowed regularly?

Jim - Cleveland is a dump. Locals refer to it as "the mistake on the lake". I live west of Akron, about 40 minutes south of Cleveland and have gone up there less than a dozen time in 8 years, with half of the dozen being work related. There are nicer areas in NEOhio, but expensive and crowded. Your assessment is correct!

20 is prolly the best east-west road in Isabella county for being plowed.
CMU is pretty good, as Is FSU in Big Rapids. There are a couple colleges (Alma in Alma about 20 minutes south) and Mid Michigan, which has a branch in Mt P.

As for living in Akron, I'm sorry. I have heard from friends that live there that Akron is the epicenter of flat out crazy people.

haypoint · #15 12/05/12, 06:50 AM

It would seem the area you'd be looking would be as far east as Saginaw, north east as Pinconning, north west as Beaverton. . Check out Albright Shore and Esty areas.
I-75, M-10 and M20 make for a quick commute.

timfromohio · #16 12/05/12, 06:56 AM

Thanks for the additional responses.

One follow up question - what is the water quality like? Those of you with wells, how is the water?

Thanks again

haypoint · #17 12/05/12, 07:58 AM

As I've traveled, I notice that differend areas of the country have different amounts of minerals and different taste. I notice sulfur in northern Indiana, while those that live there do not notice it. you will notice different tastes in different areas.
It is common for Michigan water to have lime and iron in the water.
Generally mid-Michigan water is great. A huge water bottling plant, near Big Rapids, proves the water in central lower Michigan is great.
There are areas near Midland where they have run city water out into the country a long way. I don't know if this is due to a water quality problem or just fire protection.
I think there are some areas with high salt content. So be aware. The neighbors can tell you or check with the County Health Department. They do well checks and would know what areas have problems.

Menglish · #18 12/05/12, 08:08 AM

I'm just a little south of the area you are targeting. That area is ok but make sure you look around the property before purchasing. The above descriptions of sandy to low wet areas is correct. Let me know if I can be of any help in your search. I'm south of Alma and north of St. Johns.

ronbre · #19 12/05/12, 09:16 AM

I live in Missaukee county and couldn't agree more with the above post..if you go North you'll get better land..or west..or NW..from Midland..and there is still no problem commuting to a university..

Nature Man · #20 12/05/12, 05:23 PM

Just spent the day doing conservation work with the Michigan Nature Association in Gladwin County north of Midland. The whole area is relativitly flat land much of it being farmed and sparsely populated and lots of seasonal deer hunting camps and properties.

Bill