Sorry if this is the wrong forum.

I have a business opportunity in Milford. I am fishing for some local knowledge type information about the town. I can't give too much information about the business, due to some confidentiality issues. It is a retail food operation.

I have been told very little about Milford, and have exhausted the Internet for information. I have all the general stuff. I realize that Michigan is a tough place to be right now, but I know it will pull through.

Milford, although in a slow-down, seems to be in better shape than many other areas. The GM Proving Grounds seem to be the major industry there. Is there any other industry that feeds the town? Is there any risk or knowledge of the Proving Grounds leaving?

I guess I'm looking for a, "Great town, come on....", or a, "You must be crazy". Or more, if you are so inclined.

Any thoughts?

Thanks guys.

Dan

Dan,
I like Milford, almost bought a house there, I don't think the proving grounds are going anywhere anytime soon, they have over 6,000 employee's there, my friend has the food contract so I have some pretty good info. I settled on Green Oak Township as the tax rates in some of these cities are very high, you need to balance how much city services are worth to you, my township tax rate is low but you contract for your own rubbish collection, you have your own well and septic in most areas, there is no rec center etc. I don't have time for recreation so why pay for it? You also have to check the ratings of the schools, luckily we have Brighton district, very fine schools for kids!! The worst part of where I live is the volunteer fire department, you get gouged on homeowners insurance since they have volunteer firemen and have to bring in their own water (no hydrants in the country, the cities do), the good news is that your auto insurance rates can be lower so it all balances out in the end, expensive!! Michigan is a no-fault insurance state, translation, everything's your fault!! Well almost!! Good luck to you, it took me 100 houses before I settled on one, I love the country, it's a buyers market here now so you should do good!! Dave. :yes:

Great info!

That's what I need. I may tap your knowledge a bit more as we get closer.

Thanks,

Dan

We have friends out there and it's a nice area. You maybe an hour from the city and close to Ann Arbor, so you get the smaller town life, with the city accommodations reasonably close. It's also out far enough that there's nice rural areas all around you. Like Dave said, it's a buyer's market here, so you should be able to get some great values in housing. And most Michigan homes have basements, so thats lots of extra room for storing, er, stuff

But the winters here are a bit different than in Dallas................

Yeah, you may be swapping those headphones for earmuffs.It is a nice area though.

Anyone moving to Michigan needs to have their head examined with our economy.

If ya do come attend a SMAC meet. We will help ya spend what little money you will have left :)

I lived in Buffalo for about ten years, so the winters are familiar. My wife is a life long Southerner, who thinks she will love the snow.

The economy will come around. This deal takes into account the tough times, and will help the local economy. At least we hope it will. The next few weeks will get us closer to a decision. I will get my head examined too.

I will keep you informed. The SMAC and AK folks there is a bonus. Today, my wife asked me if I would be bringing all my audio stuff. The look I gave her answered the question. I told her that the basement will be mine. Yea right....

Thanks for all the info.

Dan

My wife is in the food business in the metro Detroit area. Right now its rough.

No ones jobs are safe from the plant manager to the assembly line worker.

You do realize that Michigan has one of the highest unemployment rates followed by the highest foreclosure rate in the US.

Just telling a the truth that employers may not.

Regardless we would love another SMAC member and you would dig it ! :)

My wife is in the food business in the metro Detroit area. Right now its rough.

No ones jobs are safe from the plant manager to the assembly line worker.

You do realize that Michigan has one of the highest unemployment rates followed by the highest foreclosure rate in the US.

Just telling a the truth that employers may not.

Regardless we would love another SMAC member and you would dig it ! :)

I hear you and I am looking very carefully. If this deal does not happen, it will be because of the economy. Ironically, the economy may be the reason it will happen.

Thanks for the advice. I need all the perspective I can get.

Dan

Being that you mentioned the proving grounds im sure your aware at how severely every aspect of Michigan business is tied to the big 3 & what their next step is,Milford is a nice place & there is other industry but no driving force industry like GM & Ford.

Im in a position to know a little about both GM & Fords spending habits & new budgets for construction/maintainence & i can tell ya it looks bad for this year.

Michigans economy has proven that it never bounces back after a plant closing,it only recovers slightly after a mass exodus of out of work people who move to other states,there are towns like Saginaw & Flint that are devastated & will never recover & Detroit is following suite.

If i were in your shoes my business plan would include operating at half the business you intend on having then see if its still a viable business oportunity,im not trying to crush your plan butthings happen very fast in the Metro Detroit area & are usually not for the good.

I was in the car business, and I couldn't hack it in MI, the car capital of the US.

My house lost $20,000 in value in 3 years.

I wouldn't move back to michigan if the business opportunity was paid in full.

Your experience may vary.

Thanks guys. The down side, but realistic, view is good balance. I will be walking in to this deal in my shorts. If I leave in them, I will feel that I have taken the risk and done my best. Your warnings are heart-felt, and will be used in my decision making.

The housing market is the problematic factor. Even with the great deals, I don't know if I would want to own one there. I may be able to work the house in to the deal. Then I just have to sell mine in TX.

Dan

I'm not sure what your business is but I'd be very nervous about any discretionary food service business. With layoffs and business slowdowns, folks won't be eating out as much.

And Michigan is a long way from Dallas. Will your business/company bail you out if it fails to meet expectations, or will you wind up twisting in the wind here like so many already are (think Big 3, KMart, a couple pharmaceutical companies, plus all the Mom and Pops who counted on the spending of those laid off folks)?

Now if you are a bankruptcy lawyer, or someone who thrives on foreclosures, c'mon down!!

Now if you are a bankruptcy lawyer, or someone who thrives on foreclosures, c'mon down!!

My wife is a corporate bankruptcy attorney. I had not thought of that. She could keep us in the black for sure. She planned on kicking back for a while. I will tell her the good news.

Actually, this plan is a way for her to get out of her business.

I hate to be so negative on detroit.

I really love living there, other than the economy. If i was independently wealthy, I would live there in a heartbeat.

Dan,
A co-worker told me about a very good web site for people relocating to the area, the tax millage section is very helpful, if I move 5 miles east, my taxes go up almost 50%, there's big differences in the tax rates in Michigan so it's worth checking, good luck, Dave.

Realtor, Northville, MI (http://www.russravary.com/)

Dan,
A co-worker told me about a very good web site for people relocating to the area, the tax millage section is very helpful, if I move 5 miles east, my taxes go up almost 50%, there's big differences in the tax rates in Michigan so it's worth checking, good luck, Dave.

Realtor, Northville, MI (http://www.russravary.com/)


Thanks for the link. I am using it right now.

Rocdad:

I know this is an old thread. What did you decide on the move?

I have lived just outside of Milford for 20 years and love it. The town has grown and changed over the years, mostly for the better.

Boiler_81