11 Unfortunate Realities That Come Along With Living In Michigan
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Sophie Boudreau
Author
Those of us who are lucky enough to live in the Great Lakes State are endlessly proud of where we’re from. There’s so much to love about Michigan, and we’re certainly grateful for such an amazing place to call home. Unfortunately, no locale is perfect, and Michigan is no exception. Here are 11 less-than-lovely realities that come along with life in our beloved state.
Oh, lake effect snow. You truly know how to put a damper on an otherwise fantastic winter season here in the Great Lakes State. Sure, this fluffy snow along the lakeshore creates beautiful scenery, but it also prevents us from driving safely or even leaving homes due to cold. Thanks a lot, lake effect!
Michigan’s crown jewels are certainly its Great Lakes, and we’re thrilled to live close to so many gorgeous beaches. Unfortunately, we aren’t the only ones who appreciate our favorite waterfront locales. While we welcome tourists and appreciate their contributions to our economy, we can’t but wish for quieter beaches from time to time.
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If you’re a Michigan resident, you know that our tolerance for snowfall and subzero temperatures is relatively high. It’s rare to be granted a day off from work or school due to inclement weather, and this can be a major bummer when our friends in Texas are sleeping in due to half an inch of snowfall.
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Speaking of weather, Michigan’s climate is nothing short of infuriating at times. You might plan an outdoor event for the middle of June, only to come face-to-face with freezing temperatures and hailstorms. On the flip side, Christmas celebrations have been known to take place in 70-degree conditions.
Every Michigander knows that our roads are far from perfect. Whether we’re navigating construction zones throughout the highway system or cringing as we hit an unexpected pothole, we’re not terribly thrilled with the state of our roads. Unfortunately, this issue is largely out of our control.
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Ohio and Michigan are longtime enemies, and it’s tough to admit that we actually share a border with our least favorite state. Okay, okay, we’ll admit that our silly rivalry is mainly based in longtime sports feuds, but it can be strangely exciting to so vehemently dislike something with our fellow Michiganders.
While we’re on the topic of sports, we simply have to mention the Detroit Lions. Throughout the years, we Michiganders have watched as our football team embarrasses itself on the national stage, and we’ve managed to stand by despite the pain. Being disappointed by the Lions is just a fact of life in Michigan.
We’re incredibly proud of our beautiful Upper Peninsula, but the far reaches of the U.P. can take countless hours to reach by car. For those of us who live in the Lower Peninsula, making this journey feels daunting at times. While the trip is worth it, it can often feel impossible to visit the northernmost part of our state.
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Okay, so perhaps we’re a bit nasally. We think our voices sound just fine! Michiganders are often made fun of for referring to our favorite fizzy beverages as "pop" (which, by the way, is the proper name) or inexplicably adding the letter "s" to the end of words. Ready for a trip to Meijers, anyone?
A Michigan left isn’t annoying in itself, but frustration arises when we’re forced to sit behind a vehicle whose driver has clearly never encountered one of these unique traffic situations. We promise, the Michigan left is quite easy to complete once you understand its purpose!
The most gut-wrenching part of living in Michigan is actually a blessing in disguise. Our state is overflowing with gorgeous natural attractions, fun-filled events, and exciting towns to explore. Try as we might, we can never truly see every last amazing spot in the Great Lakes State. That said, we’re certainly grateful to live in such a fantastic and endlessly exciting state.
Tell us, fellow Michiganders: what are some of the unfortunate realities you’ve encountered during your time in Michigan? We’d love to hear about your personal experiences in the comment section!
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