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Moving to Michigan? 28 Things to Know Before You Get Here
Know What You’re Getting Into Before Moving to Michigan. You’re Gonna Need a Hoodie. (And a Snow Shovel. And Maybe a Boat.)
So you had an epic summer vacation in Michigan, the lake was sparkling, the sunsets were showing off, and everyone at the ice cream shop smiled at you like they meant it.
Yeah… we get it. Now you want to move here.
But before you trade in your beach vacation for four full seasons of Great Lakes living, let me – your friendly neighborhood Michigander – give you the real scoop. Because living here is not the same as visiting.
People say we are one of the most beautiful states in the U.S., and we agree!
Michigan is amazing – stunning shorelines, friendly people, real seasons (all four of them, sometimes in the same week), oh, and a decent cost of living.
But if you’re planning to live here full-time, there are a few things you should probably know. Like why your car will rust out before it dies, what “going up north” actually means, and why we have such passionate feelings about a certain neighboring state that starts with O and ends in hio.
Read on, because I’m breaking down 28 delightfully weird, totally true things about life in Michigan – the stuff no real estate agent or relocation guide will warn you about.
Consider this your official welcome from a lifelong local who wants to make sure you’re fully prepared (and properly dressed) before your first snowstorm hits in October.
Quirks to Learn if You’re Moving to Michigan
We think there are a few things you need to know before you take the leap.
Namely…
1 – Our state is shaped like a mitten.
3 – We call the Upper Peninsula “the U.P.”
The U.P. is the part of our state north of the Mackinac Bridge. It’s a fairytale wilderness dotted with waterfalls and wildlife.
4 – “Ope” means “I’m sorry.”
You say it after bumping into someone or committing any other minor infraction. If someone says “ope,” they’re just trying to politely exist.
5 – Know who the Yoopers and Trolls are.
Upper Peninsula residents are called Yoopers. (Sound out “U.P.” and you’ll understand where that came from.)
Residents in the Lower Peninsula are called Trolls. (Get it? – Because they live under the bridge!)
Visitors are fudgies because they notoriously flock to the fudge shops on Mackinac Island. (Yes, this is a weird one and we don’t know why it sticks.)
6 – “The Bridge” is the Mackinac Bridge.
Also called the Mighty Mac, it’s five miles of engineering greatness that straddles two Great Lakes and connects our peninsulas.
(We also have several bridges to Canada – to make your international trip feel more exotic.)
7 – It’s pronounced MACK-in-aw.
You’ll become weirdly proud of knowing how to pronounce “Mackinac” (it’s Mack-i-nAW, and we don’t explain why).
Mackinac Island, Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac county. Mackinaw City, Mackinaw township.
Two spellings, one pronunciation.
8 – Ope! Sorry about our Midwest Goodbye.
When we say we’re gonna leave your house, and when we actually leave are two different things. Sometimes happening hours apart. This applies to most Midwest states.
9 – The Mackinac Bridge does NOT swing closed at night.
We love to tell tourists that our mighty suspension bridge swings closed at night, but don’t worry – it’s actually open 24/7. Well, except during high winds… And it’s also closed on Labor Day morning, when we all get together and walk across it. Yes, this is a thing.
10 – It’s “Go Green” or “Go Blue.” Never “OH! IO!.”
Big Game Days are when Michigan State University (State) or the University of Michigan (Michigan) are playing. And no, you cannot root for either. You must pick one. You can never root for Ohio State.
11 – The Great Lakes are unsalted.
But it’s fun to play along with any jokes implying that sharks, whales, or other saltwater creatures live in them.
12 – We vacation “Up North.”
“Up North” is a vibe, not a direction.
Deciding where Up North starts is a major point of controversy. (Usually, it’s anywhere north of where you live. We think?) If you really want to get to know your neighbors, tell them where you think Up North starts.
13 – There’s no shame in scraping your windshield with a library card.
Sure, we don’t have anything on Minnesota’s chills, but eight months of winter, and several feet of lake effect snow have given us enough street cred. But the first warm-ish day in March? Flip flops and grill season.
14 – Summer lasts two months. Live it up.
Normally 4th of July – Labor Day. The other 10 months, well, many Michiganders swim in water that would send Floridians into hypothermia. We are built different.
15 – Euchre is our state card game.
Pronounced “You-KER,” this is how many of us survive winter. Any of your neighbors should be able to teach you how to play. (Our advice: turn down a bower and you’re hurtin’ for an hour.)
16 – Our other state flower is the construction cone.
We have two seasons: Winter and Construction.
Once that snow melts in April, those bright orange cones start blooming around every corner! Sometimes overnight, always on your favorite route to work. And they stay in bloom right until the snow starts again in the fall.
17 – Road construction happens incessantly for a reason.
Michigan breeds the largest potholes in the nation, so we never stop fixing them. (If you haven’t lost an axle to a pothole yet, you are #blessed.)
18 – You drank soda before you came here. Now you drink POP.
Soda is what you bake with. Sprite, Coke, Pepsi, Mountain Dew – all pop.
19 – We invented Superman ice cream, coney dogs, and Vernors.
Don’t Google it. Just accept these invention claims.
20 – Learn how to say Ypsilanti, Charlotte, Sault Ste Marie, Ocqueoc, Bois Blanc Island, & Dowagiac.
And no, they’re not phonetic. These are too hard to explain here so just Google it. Or try the pronunciation on a coworker and watch them cringe. THEY can pronounce it for ya.
21 – Don’t skimp on winter gear.
You will eventually own at least three pairs of boots. For snow, slush, and “nice enough to wear to dinner.” Michigan is like Canada’s little sister. So imagine what winter gear you’d need to live in Canada. You will need waterproof, sub-zero winter gear here, too.
(But also hot Alabama summer gear. For those six weeks mid-year when it’s sunny and humid. The pendulum swings hard both ways in the Great Lakes State.)
22 – Old school Michiganders add “s” to the end of store names.
No, you didn’t mishear us. It’s not actually “Meijers” or “JC Penneys” but those of us who have been here a while will never get it straight.
23 – We don’t wait in line at the DMV. We wait in line at the SOS.
We don’t go to the DMV to get a driver’s license in Michigan. For that, you need to go to the Secretary of State, otherwise pronounced “Secretariah State.”
24 – Cars are illegal on Mackinac Island.
Golf carts and snowmobiles are allowed on Mackinac Island, but no other motorized vehicles, by law, are allowed there. Take a horse or ride your bike.
25 – The first day of deer hunting season is a holiday in rural Michigan.
Some school districts even have the day off.
And by “first day” we mean first day of rifle hunting season. Bow hunting season starts earlier, but I guess it’s like comparing Thanksgiving to Christmas. Sure, Thanksgiving is the opener, but everyone shows up for the Christmas headliner.
26 – Kids’ Halloween costumes should fit over coats.
For when it’s 30 and snowing on October 31. It could also be 79 and humid. Just… plan for anything.
27 – It’s a great time to be a Detroit Lions fan.
Michiganders are nothing if not loyal. Not long ago being a Lions fan was considered a lifelong commitment to suffering and pain. Now, our Lions are winning and fans are juiced to the max.
28 – Take vitamin D year round.
The sun is an elusive dame and can’t be relied upon for vitamin D. Get a light therapy lamp and plan to take vitamin D daily when you get here.
Welcome to Michigan!
Living in Michigan is something special made better by the people you know. Say hey to the people you meet, introduce yourself to your neighbors, and get involved. We’re glad you’re here!
