Possible Relocation to Bay City

[Farris]

My family and I are considering the Bay City area. We would like to know if anyone would be willing to offer any information concerning the area. Our age group is early 40's and children, 11 and 6. We plan to visit soon, but would like a local viewpoint concerning schools, neighborhoods and homes, little league baseball (my son), and anything else you would like to throw in. We hope to make a decision for a spring 2010 move. Anything you could offer would be greatly appreciated!

[Urkstafen]

I don't have much hard info for you, but my family and I have lived in Auburn for about seven years now, which is a 10 minute drive West of Bay City.

I've done a lot in Bay City, though. However, I'm home schooled so I don't know much about the schooling. But I do know there are a bunch of baseball fields in the area, including two just down the street from here and one major stadium which was just finished in Midland.
You probably won't have much trouble finding a home for sale. Or a few dozen.
As far as neighborhoods go, the only one I'm familiar with is my own. We have a town watch, only two police officers, all local stores, plus schools for all ages (colleges are farther out).

Hope it helps.

[-kim]

Hi Farris,
I may be able to offer you a decent objective viewpoint. My family moved here in 2001 when my husband accepted a job as a Professor at a local college. Bay City has much to offer your family. Housing prices are among the lowest in the nation, historic architecture is plentiful, our weather is beautiful all year, and "school-of choice" allows you to send your child to any school/teacher in the district. Baseball and Little League abound as do opportunities for most other athletic interests. My son enjoys sailing lessons on our river and my husband is a member of the rowing(crew) club.
When you visit be sure to spend time on the Saginaw river's east side. We have a quaint downtown and great neighborhoods.

[twilight]

Bay city is a decent place. Call the Chamber of Commerce in Bay City, I am sure that they would be glad to send you local information. I have lived in
Michigan for nearly 40 years, I am a 'transplant' from Tennessee. Michigan is a beautiful state, winters are cold, but that takes some 'adapting to'. In my 40 years here, i have met some very nice people, oh, I have met the 'bad' too, but the good far outweighs the bad. The tri -cities is the best place that I have lived, and have been here for 20 of the 40 years. good luck with your move and welcome!!!!

[GDE of Bay City]

I have lived in Bay City almost all of my life (66 years). Bay City has many things to affer as mentiond in other comments. Throughout the year there is some kind of activity or festival going on most all the time. Art Festival in the spring, River Roar tunnel boat races, the Fireworks Festival over the 4th of July, The Pig Gig (BBQ ribs). The River of Time, which is a historical look at how life was in the past. From the French and Indian wars, the war of 1812, the Civil war and times more current. This is presented by re-enactors and put on by the local Historical Society. The greatest thing about the location in the state is, it's 1 1/2 hours from Detroit and 2 hours to the northern woods. Midland has a cultural center and is about a half and hour to the west (beyond Auburn), Saginaw to the south has a childrens zoo among other attraction. So yes, Bay City has a lot to offer. Next year 2010 Bay City is hosting the Tall Ships Celebration. There will be about a dozen tall ships in port for about four or five days. Come visit during one of the festivals to experience the hospitality of Teh people here.

[Farris]

GDE of Bay City wrote:

I have lived in Bay City almost all of my life (66 years). Bay City has many things to affer as mentiond in other comments. Throughout the year there is some kind of activity or festival going on most all the time. Art Festival in the spring, River Roar tunnel boat races, the Fireworks Festival over the 4th of July, The Pig Gig (BBQ ribs). The River of Time, which is a historical look at how life was in the past. From the French and Indian wars, the war of 1812, the Civil war and times more current. This is presented by re-enactors and put on by the local Historical Society. The greatest thing about the location in the state is, it's 1 1/2 hours from Detroit and 2 hours to the northern woods. Midland has a cultural center and is about a half and hour to the west (beyond Auburn), Saginaw to the south has a childrens zoo among other attraction. So yes, Bay City has a lot to offer. Next year 2010 Bay City is hosting the Tall Ships Celebration. There will be about a dozen tall ships in port for about four or five days. Come visit during one of the festivals to experience the hospitality of Teh people here.

Thank you so much for your input. We did visit and enjoyed the area. My husband is going to visit again this month to further research Bay City and other areas as well. Again, thank you for the information!

[tr smith]

Hi,
One thing that no one has mentioned on this list, is that the area has a very high rate of unemployment, probably over 25 percent when considering the underemployed and people who have given up looking for work and may or may not be depending on others for their wellbeing. If you come here, no doubt youll need to bring some serious specific skill/education with you to find work. There is lots of room here as far as increasing the population, housing is plentiful and relatively cheap. There are many people leaving the area and Michigan in general due to the lack of available work. The above comments are correct re lots of recreation available, entertainment etc. Bay City has rebranded itself to be a tourist type area instead of the old heavy industry type town quite successfully, there are many recreational opportunities but little in the line of economic growth outside of trying to get grants for more tax dollars.