jason1308

We are thinking of relocating to these states, and all of them seem to have pro's and con's but can't decide which one. We are looking to buy a business in one of the state capitals, but live approx 30 - 40 mins away in the suburbs or in a smaller neighbouring city/town.

Can anyone share their experiences of these different states, including what the education is like and the crime etc.

Thank you.

Jason

ian-mstm

You realize, that at least one of the state capitals is very small as compared to the others which are much larger. Perhaps you think that Chicago is the capital of Illinois... it isn't. Now that I think about it, Lansing, MI isn't all that large either!


Google is your friend.

Ian

Bill_S

Relocating from where?

As far as education, crime, suburbs: all of those states have good schools and bad schools, safe neighborhoods and dangerous neighborhoods, nice suburbs and crummy suburbs.

How about some more clues from you? What sort of business? What do you like to do away from work?

Most important: what is your immigration status in the US?

tamms_1965

I love Ohio, but I was born and raised here. Look at the Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati burbs. All have pros & cons. You can check out each school systems report card by going to http://ilrc.ode.state.oh.us/ and typing in the district you want info on.

MsElui

ive been in ohio 3 months too and im loving it so far. The weather near columbus isnt too bad. when i see 'feet' of lake effect snow up in michican - we usually on;y get an inch or so. Columbus is growing very fast so its very cosmopolitan. We have been made to feel very welcome. The accent isnt very extreme either. Not part of the bible belt - ot the rust belt!

chicagojlo

Bear in mind that Indiana is referred to by the locals as the armpit of the midwest! But gas and taxes are way cheaper than here in Illinois...
I live in IL and have visited the other 3. Can't say that I noticed much difference between Michigan and Ohio. What I've seen of Indiana doesn't make me want to live there.

Bob

For info on the places, check out the US lifestyle forum, and search the forum as there's a fair bit of info on some of those states.

But at the end of the day, it'll depend on whether you can get the visa or not, so see how much you can afford to invest in a place and what's going for what, that should limit the search...

And mention what visa you had in mind, E2 ain't that great for families with kids and all that.

Tracym

I live mostly in Illinois, part time in Michigan.

Why do you want to live by the capital? As others have said, Chicago is a MUCH larger city than Springfield. Lansing isn't the biggest city in Michgan either. I suppose it's ok, kind of in the middle of the state. Detroit is the big city - but I definitely wouldn't recommend there. I live in the Chicago area btw.

Michigan is much cooler - Illinois is warmer particularly in the summer, more so down by Springfield than up in Chicago btw.

Illinois has a much better economy than Michigan - Michigan is REALLY struggling. I don't know about starting a business there... what kind of business?

Crime, schools, etc. are going to vary wildly across all the states, depending upon where you are. I am a bit leery of Michigan (although personally I love the state) just because the economy is in such bad shape there.

Michigan is absolutely beautify, on the lake side, and more so the more north you get. Illinois is OK, but boring.

What kind of lifestyle are you looking for? Do you want to be near a large city? Live in a country-like setting, but able to get to a city? Realize here, near a major city - one town just blends into another, there is no space between them - it's one big suburban sprawl. So ifyou're thinking you'll have a business in the big city - then drive through the country to your little town, that is not likely. Of course, outside a smaller city, like the capitals.... maybe....

BritGuyTN

FLAT FLAT FLAT BORING FLATNESS

Too damn cold as well

meauxna

darn. I just karma'd you for something serious and then this...

GoonerIL

Out of these states (if you really must stay in the flat cold areas) I would say Illinois. I do not know much about the other states as I have only lived in the Chicago suburbs since moving here but Indiana, Michigan and Ohio seem to have pretty slow economies. I guess it depends on what type of business you want to buy, and where you relocate to (as others have said, Chicago is not the state capitol).

Just my opinion.... and I am sure others will disagree.

Glen Ellyn Service Crew

I lived in Columbus for 2 years and though it a safe clean enviroment it is pretty boring, that's too kind really, it's very boring. I moved to the Chicagoland area and it is much better here.

HoosierDaddy

Dec '07 Unemployment
Illinois - 5.5%
Indiana - 4.6%
Michigan - 7.6%
Ohio - 6.0%

Not sure if that would factor into your decision making or not.

dgsyd1

Lansing really isn't that big, and a lot of the money seems to go into the neighbouring town of East Lansing, mainly because that's where all the students who go to MSU are. Grand Rapids and Detroit are much larger cities though.
But as others have said, the Michigan economy is very weak right now, to the point where British Airways are stopping their daily flight into DTW, because they're losing money on the route.

Scouse Express

I have to drive through some fairly decent hills that are adjacent to the Mississppi, between Dubuque, IA & Galena, IL on Hwy 20 in order to get to work. These hills are referred to. by the locals, as the "Illinois Rockies." Apparently, the glaciers by-passed this area.

Really warm from Spring to Fall, but, it is rather "fresh" outside at the moment.

Edit: What type of business are you hoping to buy, by the way??? And, are you already in the country, legally???

Jim.