Whether you moved away from Michigan years ago or simply took a brief sabbatical from your life in the Great Lakes State, one thing is for sure: Michigan’s influence will always be with you. From the loveliness of our shorelines to the odd and wonderful people that live here, there are so many unique things about Michigan that have shaped each and every one of us. Here are thirteen thoughts that you’re sure to have upon leaving our beloved state:
- “Why aren’t people waving at me?”
Flickr/Dave Strom If you grew up in a small town in Michigan, chances are that you got used to waving and smiling at everyone you passed on the street. When life takes you away from the Mitten State, you might just find that people would rather stare down at their phones than make eye contact with strangers. It’s a hard pill to swallow for friendly Michiganders!
- “You call THIS cold?”
Flickr/Gabriel Caparo Seriously? A snow day for two inches of snow and 30-degree weather? We Michiganders are often baffled by out-of-staters’ responses to chilly weather. Then again, we can’t complain about work being cancelled in our new neighborhoods for weather that wouldn’t even make us bat an eye back in Michigan. Do you believe there are people that haven’t heard of lake effect snow?!
- “I need a beach day.”
Flickr/Tom Gill After a stressful work week, Michiganders are lucky to have access to our stunning Great Lakes. Even in colder months, our beaches are a sight to behold and a perfect natural escape. When you move away from Michigan, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself longing for the comfort of the Great Lakes. Sometimes, you’ll find that even tropical beaches are less enchanting than the ones at home.
- “How am I supposed to show people where I’m from without using my hand?”
Flickr/Michigan Municipal League This is one Michigan tradition that will always baffle people from other states. It’s tough to be asked which part of Michigan you’re from by new friends and neighbors — they’ll stare at you like you have two heads when you point to a spot on your hand. But… what other way is there?
- “Where can I get a nice glass of Vernor’s around here?”
Flickr/Randy Wade Sure, Vernor’s can be found outside of Michigan, but it doesn’t hold half the esteem it holds here in the Great Lakes State. When you’ve got an upset stomach or just a hankering for that bubbly Vernor’s taste, you’ll have to search a little harder after moving away from your Michigan home.
- “I wish I could make a run to Meijer or Kroger.”
Flickr/David Joseph Other grocery stores are fine, but there’s nothing quite like the familiarity of Kroger or Meijer when you need to grab a few items. If you move away from the Midwest, you might just find yourself longing for your favorite place to shop. Strange but true!
- “Why does everybody stare at me when I ask for the nearest party store?”
Flickr/Thomas Hawk This might come as a surprise, but the term “party store” is a Michigan creation! When you no longer reside here, you’ll likely draw plenty of confused stares when you ask to be pointed toward a party store. Not everywhere has quite the party store selection we do, and some places don’t have party stores at all. Thank goodness for the internet, right?!
- “If only I could get outdoors…”
Flickr/ryangs If you’ve relocated to a place without the natural resources or outdoor wonder that Michigan has, you’ll notice a distinct lack of fresh air in your life. Former Michiganders often long for hikes along the lake, cross-country skiing adventures, and summertime cliff-jumping from the shores of Marquette. Fortunately, home is always just a flight or car ride away.
- “I need a weekend Up North.”
Flickr/Sailing Nomad Nothing says relaxation quite like a quick trip Up North, and we Michiganders are lucky to have such easy access to a total escape from “real life.” When you move away from home, you might find yourself missing that close proximity to your beautiful longtime cottage or favorite inland lake. You’ll surely find new favorite spots, but nothing is likely to compare to these lovely spots near home.
- “I miss my family.”
Flickr/rebecca anne This is a no-brainer. Michigan means home, and home usually means family. If your loved ones are still back in the Mitten State, a piece of your heart will always be there.
- “I would do anything to watch a Lake Michigan sunset right now.”
Flickr/Rachel Kramer Seriously. You can hunt sunsets around the world, but few will compare to the glowing beauty spotted on the Lake Michigan shoreline. When you’ve had a rough day, it’s hard not to long for the calming hues of a Great Lakes sunset. Those from other parts of the nation simply can’t understand until they’ve experienced this majesty firsthand.
- “I wish it were homecoming weekend.”
Flickr/Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy If you stayed in Michigan for college, many of your best memories are likely tied to these days. Whether you attended the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Michigan Tech, or any of our state’s amazing schools, there’s no nostalgia quite like college nostalgia. Homecoming weekend is often a magical time to reconnect with friends and re-live those glory days — don’t you wish it could happen every weekend?
- “There’s no place like home.”
Flickr/PunkToad No matter how far we stray, Michigan will always be home. And for that, we can be forever grateful. As stated before, a trip home is as easy as a flight or a car ride… and boy, does it beckon. There are so many unique things about Michigan that it will always be with all of us locals.
Have you lived away from Michigan? What was the most difficult part of your adjustment to a new place? Are there any unique things about Michigan that you haven’t forgotten? Sound off in the comments!
Flickr/Dave Strom
If you grew up in a small town in Michigan, chances are that you got used to waving and smiling at everyone you passed on the street. When life takes you away from the Mitten State, you might just find that people would rather stare down at their phones than make eye contact with strangers. It’s a hard pill to swallow for friendly Michiganders!
Flickr/Gabriel Caparo
Seriously? A snow day for two inches of snow and 30-degree weather? We Michiganders are often baffled by out-of-staters’ responses to chilly weather. Then again, we can’t complain about work being cancelled in our new neighborhoods for weather that wouldn’t even make us bat an eye back in Michigan. Do you believe there are people that haven’t heard of lake effect snow?!
Flickr/Tom Gill
After a stressful work week, Michiganders are lucky to have access to our stunning Great Lakes. Even in colder months, our beaches are a sight to behold and a perfect natural escape. When you move away from Michigan, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself longing for the comfort of the Great Lakes. Sometimes, you’ll find that even tropical beaches are less enchanting than the ones at home.
Flickr/Michigan Municipal League
This is one Michigan tradition that will always baffle people from other states. It’s tough to be asked which part of Michigan you’re from by new friends and neighbors — they’ll stare at you like you have two heads when you point to a spot on your hand. But… what other way is there?
Flickr/Randy Wade
Sure, Vernor’s can be found outside of Michigan, but it doesn’t hold half the esteem it holds here in the Great Lakes State. When you’ve got an upset stomach or just a hankering for that bubbly Vernor’s taste, you’ll have to search a little harder after moving away from your Michigan home.
Flickr/David Joseph
Other grocery stores are fine, but there’s nothing quite like the familiarity of Kroger or Meijer when you need to grab a few items. If you move away from the Midwest, you might just find yourself longing for your favorite place to shop. Strange but true!
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
This might come as a surprise, but the term “party store” is a Michigan creation! When you no longer reside here, you’ll likely draw plenty of confused stares when you ask to be pointed toward a party store. Not everywhere has quite the party store selection we do, and some places don’t have party stores at all. Thank goodness for the internet, right?!
Flickr/ryangs
If you’ve relocated to a place without the natural resources or outdoor wonder that Michigan has, you’ll notice a distinct lack of fresh air in your life. Former Michiganders often long for hikes along the lake, cross-country skiing adventures, and summertime cliff-jumping from the shores of Marquette. Fortunately, home is always just a flight or car ride away.
Flickr/Sailing Nomad
Nothing says relaxation quite like a quick trip Up North, and we Michiganders are lucky to have such easy access to a total escape from “real life.” When you move away from home, you might find yourself missing that close proximity to your beautiful longtime cottage or favorite inland lake. You’ll surely find new favorite spots, but nothing is likely to compare to these lovely spots near home.
Flickr/rebecca anne
This is a no-brainer. Michigan means home, and home usually means family. If your loved ones are still back in the Mitten State, a piece of your heart will always be there.
Flickr/Rachel Kramer
Seriously. You can hunt sunsets around the world, but few will compare to the glowing beauty spotted on the Lake Michigan shoreline. When you’ve had a rough day, it’s hard not to long for the calming hues of a Great Lakes sunset. Those from other parts of the nation simply can’t understand until they’ve experienced this majesty firsthand.
Flickr/Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
If you stayed in Michigan for college, many of your best memories are likely tied to these days. Whether you attended the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Michigan Tech, or any of our state’s amazing schools, there’s no nostalgia quite like college nostalgia. Homecoming weekend is often a magical time to reconnect with friends and re-live those glory days — don’t you wish it could happen every weekend?
Flickr/PunkToad
No matter how far we stray, Michigan will always be home. And for that, we can be forever grateful. As stated before, a trip home is as easy as a flight or a car ride… and boy, does it beckon. There are so many unique things about Michigan that it will always be with all of us locals.
Love The Great Lakes State? Find its most unusual spots along our roadside attractions road trip.
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Address: Michigan, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unique Things About Michigan To Ponder September 27, 2020 Nikki Rhoades Is Michigan a great place to live? In case you missed the enthusiasm in this article, heck yes! Michigan is an excellent place to call home, and it’s a downright magical place to grow up. From the endless nature beckoning to adventurous souls to the kind people that call this place home, there’s lots to love about Michigan. What are people from Michigan known for? You mean aside from beating Ohio State? (Depending on which statistics you’re referencing, obviously…) There are all sorts of traditions that define people from Michigan. Cornhole makes an appearance at literally every family gathering, and every year we can’t help craving an annual trip to the UP. What are the most beautiful places in Michigan? If you ask a local about the most beautiful places in Michigan, you’ll get a different answer everywhere you go. That’s because this state is full of beautiful wonders, and they vary greatly. Spend some time exploring local waterfalls, historic sites, parks, restaurants, and other places of interest and you’ll surely start forming an opinion of your own.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unique Things About Michigan To Ponder
September 27, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
Is Michigan a great place to live? In case you missed the enthusiasm in this article, heck yes! Michigan is an excellent place to call home, and it’s a downright magical place to grow up. From the endless nature beckoning to adventurous souls to the kind people that call this place home, there’s lots to love about Michigan. What are people from Michigan known for? You mean aside from beating Ohio State? (Depending on which statistics you’re referencing, obviously…) There are all sorts of traditions that define people from Michigan. Cornhole makes an appearance at literally every family gathering, and every year we can’t help craving an annual trip to the UP. What are the most beautiful places in Michigan? If you ask a local about the most beautiful places in Michigan, you’ll get a different answer everywhere you go. That’s because this state is full of beautiful wonders, and they vary greatly. Spend some time exploring local waterfalls, historic sites, parks, restaurants, and other places of interest and you’ll surely start forming an opinion of your own.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In case you missed the enthusiasm in this article, heck yes! Michigan is an excellent place to call home, and it’s a downright magical place to grow up. From the endless nature beckoning to adventurous souls to the kind people that call this place home, there’s lots to love about Michigan.
What are people from Michigan known for?
You mean aside from beating Ohio State? (Depending on which statistics you’re referencing, obviously…) There are all sorts of traditions that define people from Michigan. Cornhole makes an appearance at literally every family gathering, and every year we can’t help craving an annual trip to the UP.
What are the most beautiful places in Michigan?
If you ask a local about the most beautiful places in Michigan, you’ll get a different answer everywhere you go. That’s because this state is full of beautiful wonders, and they vary greatly. Spend some time exploring local waterfalls, historic sites, parks, restaurants, and other places of interest and you’ll surely start forming an opinion of your own.
