Let me start over-introduction

Jerngen · #21 03/14/12, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabbyraja

We live in the Lansing area now and are looking to stay down here. But I grew up in fife lake, went to school in kalkaska. I know you know where that is! I HATED living there as a kid. There was nothing in the world that was going to make me move anywhere but deep inside a city again. Then I had kids, and I started being bothered by nosy neighbors and city ordinances, and my kids need healthy foods that are grown a specific way, and a place to climb trees and run in fields, and get dirt in their mouths, and... So, we're compromising and staying close to the city, where we're still close enough to the health food store, and MSU's performing arts programs, and all of the homeschool activities, but far enough out we can be our own people. I hope it works out for us. Thanks for offering to help us get started, though!

We are actually considering settling in the Lake Odessa area which is right between Grand Rapids and Lansing. Kind of the best of both worlds while still enjoying rural living.

If we worked in Lansing (rather then GR), I would strongly consider the area around St. Johns. I've always liked that area but then that's where my paternal "ancestoral home" is just northwest of there..... so I'm probably biased

We have four young kids (so far) that we homeschool as well.

gabbyraja · #22 03/14/12, 08:47 PM

GL nostawmama. If it's credit issues in your way, you MUST visit creditboards.com. I cleaned us up in about 8 months well enough to get our mortgage. 530s to 650-700.

I ran an internet business for maternity and nursing fashion for 6 years. I designed the clothing and did the photo shoots, etc. My photographer is in Lake Odessa.

I lived in St Johns for about a yr at 19 and found it to be as frustratingly isolated as my hometown (despite meeting dh there). That is the town to which we moved back for a period to live on my aunt's old farm. Still frustratingly isolated. I am NOT a fan of country music, for instance (instantly puts me in a bad mood), yet they literally ONLY play country in any public establishment in that town. Try grocery shopping with 5 little ones for an hour with bad-mood-inducing music piped overhead... Plus, dh made slightly more than the gas he used each day to travel to Lansing for work. It wasn't working for us.

We will be seeing a couple of houses in Potterville tomorrow. One with 2.5 acres, one with 5 and a pond! Super exciting around here since getting the preapproval yesterday!

Jerngen · #23 03/15/12, 01:36 PM

LOL!! We love living isolated yet being close enough to spend a afternoon/evening in a bigger city if we desire. Also love country music (as well as most other kinds).

The Potterville area is nice. Congrats on the preapproval and good luck with your homestead search!

ronbre · #24 03/15/12, 07:44 PM

sure am familiar with the area you grew up in, I could practically throw a stone and hit that area..(exageration)

there are so many houses for sale up here now cause of the housing market things are going dirt cheap, My sister's daughter got a house and land for $34,000..and that was before the housing bubble burst..yikes.

I understand your needs to be close to college.

hope you didn't get hurt by the tornado mess today

Kazahleenah · #25 03/16/12, 06:28 AM

Hi Jessica. Welcome, hope the tornados yesterday wern't in your area... looks pretty bad according to the reports I'm getting. I'm another "Northern Michigander" that loves the "isolated north".

gabbyraja · #26 03/18/12, 06:46 PM

No tornadoes in my neck of the woods, thanks. We put in an offer today on 4 acres in Holt. Wooded, on a lake (small lake, big pond, whatever). There is a small farm next door, but no crops so no toxic overspray. We could hear birds and the occasional passing car, then the rooster at the farm now and then. Yay! Looks like they will accept, as we are in the ballpark. It is in a very desirable area, so should be easy to resell if we ever need to. The house is 1452 up and a full finished walkout Basement. 2 fireplaces with heatilators, 5 beds 2.5 baths. Enough room for the 5 kids and grandma. The kitchen and baths are dated messes, but we are not afraid of the work, so it is perfect for us. Close to everything we do now, near the park where the kids sled, near the high school with the Olympic sized pool... It's just great. Cross your fingers for us.