Ignore the nay-sayers and exaggerators. You'll love it here.
I'm just up the road in White Cloud, "where the north begins and the pure waters flow" as the sign says. Bring your waders!
Full Version: Making a change...
Thanks for the support everyone. It's 90+ today here in Sonoma. Grand Rapids, is about 80. 
I think I nailed down exactly what I love about MI summers. I'm sweating buckets.....
Shit, I was really looking forward to making up excuses to ride down to the OC shop again. 
I can understand fleeing Kalifornia, but Michigan? Are you sure you can handle those uptight East Coast types? 
Maybe you can get a turbo ice racer put together before winter. Its got to be more fun than ice fishing. 
I just came across this on the internet. A site called Thrillist ranked all 50 States. Florida came in last as it always does in every one of these things but as I scrolled to the number 1 I was surprised! Michigan!
Here is the text...
1. Michigan
Far too much of the Michigan narrative centers on Detroit and its many issues. The Motor City’s become a scrappily rising underdog you can’t help but root for, but Michigan’s greatest strengths lie in the state as a whole. Did you know Michigan has more coastline than any state other than Alaska? Did you know it has such an embarrassment of beer riches that you can easily hit Bell’s and Founders in the same afternoon? Did you know the UP is so remote and uniquely beautiful that it almost feels like a secret 51st state where they inexplicably love British meat pies? Did you know most residents are more than happy to apologize for Eric Shea? If you answered yes to at least three of these than you already understand Michigan’s charms. If you answered no to these questions, you should listen to the dulcet tones of Michigan tourism pitchman Tim Allen and get yourself there immediately.
Who knew??
Here is the text...
1. Michigan
Far too much of the Michigan narrative centers on Detroit and its many issues. The Motor City’s become a scrappily rising underdog you can’t help but root for, but Michigan’s greatest strengths lie in the state as a whole. Did you know Michigan has more coastline than any state other than Alaska? Did you know it has such an embarrassment of beer riches that you can easily hit Bell’s and Founders in the same afternoon? Did you know the UP is so remote and uniquely beautiful that it almost feels like a secret 51st state where they inexplicably love British meat pies? Did you know most residents are more than happy to apologize for Eric Shea? If you answered yes to at least three of these than you already understand Michigan’s charms. If you answered no to these questions, you should listen to the dulcet tones of Michigan tourism pitchman Tim Allen and get yourself there immediately.
Who knew??
Go for it. I'll still see ya right here on the board. Little bars will have 40+ kinds of beers. 
I think you'll like mid-America. The people really care about their neighbor's there. Your not going to get sued every time you fart, either. Prices will be lower. Leave your flip flops in Kali. Be sure to take in Mackinac Island and the Oskosh Fly-in the last week in July. The roasted corn they have is great but I never got into the Brat's. And the girls 
. All they want to do is screw and drink beer until winter. They don't drink much beer in the winter. 
Your gonna love it.
Little bars will have 40+ kinds of beers. I think you'll like mid-America. The people really care about their neighbor's there. Your not going to get sued every time you fart, either. Prices will be lower. Leave your flip flops in Kali. Be sure to take in Mackinac Island and the Oskosh Fly-in the last week in July. The roasted corn they have is great but I never got into the Brat's. And the girls . All they want to do is screw and drink beer until winter. They don't drink much beer in the winter. Your gonna love it.
Dude!~ I just saw this too. Great idea!
Yeah, you're gonna want winter clothes.
Hey call me. I have a six week window after July 4th I don't have any travel, just work. There is almost certainly a on call week in there, but that's better than it used to be. I can be flexible.
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 29 2015, 02:24 PM) 
Thanks for the support everyone. It's 90+ today here in Sonoma. Grand Rapids, is about 80. I think I nailed down exactly what I love about MI summers. I'm sweating buckets.....Yeah, but do you know what the humidity will do to your hair???
Outstanding!
The only problem with the left hand part of the state is the lake effect snows. All in all, you'll love the GR area.
The only problem with the left hand part of the state is the lake effect snows. All in all, you'll love the GR area.
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 28 2015, 05:25 PM)
About 10 days ago my wife was officially offered a transfer to the new Trader Joes opening in Grand Rapids, MI. We have friends who live there and have been almost every year for the last 12 years. It’s a great place and we decided to take the plunge and make the move. It’s all been happening very fast, so it’s a little scary, but very exciting.
I’m moving Original Customs and will be finding a bigger shop (for half the rent) and continuing to do restoration work, engine building, and all the other projects I’ve been working on. The tricky part was that I don’t want to abandon the customers I have in CA and so I realized the easiest solution was to just get a nice trailer and plan on transporting projects myself. This also expands the range I can service. Before I was mainly seeing people from the west coast, and I’ll now be able to help people from all over the country. With constant email and photo updates, a car that’s 2000 miles away would be the same as a car thats 50 miles away. I’m also considering building an ‘apartment’ into the shop and letting people stay there and work on their project. Maybe do a little welding training, let people blast and powdercoat some of their own parts, etc.
Right now I’m still working on the details of the move and communicating with the people who’s cars are already in the shop now. Then I’ll be contacting the people who are on my wait-list to see who still interested in having work done. If anyone would like to talk about their project, drop me a PM.
Plus, now I can give Rick Ollah some competition for all those Furthest Distance Travelled awards.
Here's my new four car hauler before we renovate it.
To bad she didn't get a job In Monrovia Ca Trader joe's headquarters
Just like napa -
We'll gladly welcome you to the Midwest! Nice to actually live in an area that has plenty of fresh water and doesn't shake like the Republic of California.
Grand Rapids is far enough from Lake Michigan to avoid some of the lake effect snows, and the surrounding countryside is beautiful.
As Garrold said, close enough to make the summer BBQ if you're moved by then.
Grand Rapids is far enough from Lake Michigan to avoid some of the lake effect snows, and the surrounding countryside is beautiful.
As Garrold said, close enough to make the summer BBQ if you're moved by then.
Dang, I just got to meet and talk to you briefly at WCR, now you're going to Timbuktu?
Kidding, good luck, and I hope things are cheaper there than here.
Kidding, good luck, and I hope things are cheaper there than here.
I just realized your only 113 miles from Hell....
I worked for Trader Joes for 12 years, back when they were expanding out of California...They'll standby by your wife and throw opportunity at her if she goes. MI is a big change from CA... Good Luck and best wishes to you both Mark!
QUOTE(rick 918-S @ Jun 30 2015, 09:00 AM)
I just realized your only 113 miles from Hell....
Hi Rick,
You were in Hell in 2005
I remember it well. Mark will do very well in MI with our four seasons. It's not a perfect weather world and Mark will have to purchase some Stormy Kromer winter weather gear made in the UP http://www.stormykromer.com A cool hat with ear flaps
Tom
QUOTE(TJB/914 @ Jun 30 2015, 08:21 AM)
A cool hat with ear flaps
Tom
Tom
Watched Escanaba in da moonlight last night.
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 28 2015, 05:25 PM)
About 10 days ago my wife was officially offered a transfer to the new Trader Joes opening in Grand Rapids, MI. We have friends who live there and have been almost every year for the last 12 years. It’s a great place and we decided to take the plunge and make the move. It’s all been happening very fast, so it’s a little scary, but very exciting.
I’m moving Original Customs and will be finding a bigger shop (for half the rent) and continuing to do restoration work, engine building, and all the other projects I’ve been working on. The tricky part was that I don’t want to abandon the customers I have in CA and so I realized the easiest solution was to just get a nice trailer and plan on transporting projects myself. This also expands the range I can service. Before I was mainly seeing people from the west coast, and I’ll now be able to help people from all over the country. With constant email and photo updates, a car that’s 2000 miles away would be the same as a car thats 50 miles away. I’m also considering building an ‘apartment’ into the shop and letting people stay there and work on their project. Maybe do a little welding training, let people blast and powdercoat some of their own parts, etc.
Right now I’m still working on the details of the move and communicating with the people who’s cars are already in the shop now. Then I’ll be contacting the people who are on my wait-list to see who still interested in having work done. If anyone would like to talk about their project, drop me a PM.
Plus, now I can give Rick Ollah some competition for all those Furthest Distance Travelled awards.
Here's my new four car hauler before we renovate it.
Please feel free to stop in Madison on the way. Then I can drive and help unpack with my two strong sons. Really.
Warren
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 30 2015, 08:34 AM)
QUOTE(TJB/914 @ Jun 30 2015, 08:21 AM)
A cool hat with ear flaps
Tom
Tom
Watched Escanaba in da moonlight last night.
Funny movie, but the U.P. and Youpers are nothing like the L.P. (I have family in Escanaba, the top of Deaths Door). After you are settled, take the high speed ferry from Muskegon to Milwaukee when you need a fun weekend! it is a blast and reasonable way to avoid Chicago! ferry link
Awesome news! We will be neighbors too. You might want to think about getting a snowmobile, they're great fun!
Mark,
There's a lot of vacant shops/buildings that I've seen in my travels to Mich.
My wife is from Mich and has a lot of family there. We are in Mich several times a year and even looked at moving there ourselves. The weather in Mich vs Western NY is about the same so it's no big deal for us.
If you can deal with the weather in Mich you will be all set. Like anything you will adjust to it and move forward.
Oh and a plus if you don't already know this, your taxes will be far less then CA.
Best of luck on the move and I may see you in my future travels.
There's a lot of vacant shops/buildings that I've seen in my travels to Mich.
My wife is from Mich and has a lot of family there. We are in Mich several times a year and even looked at moving there ourselves. The weather in Mich vs Western NY is about the same so it's no big deal for us.
If you can deal with the weather in Mich you will be all set. Like anything you will adjust to it and move forward.
Oh and a plus if you don't already know this, your taxes will be far less then CA.
Best of luck on the move and I may see you in my future travels.
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 30 2015, 11:34 AM)
QUOTE(TJB/914 @ Jun 30 2015, 08:21 AM)
A cool hat with ear flaps
Tom
Tom
Watched Escanaba in da moonlight last night.
Mark,
Don't tell anyone, but MI has fresh air from GR & North. When darkness comes you can look up and see bright stars, cause no bright city lights blind them out. You are only a few hours drive to the Midwest Rivera Gold Coast of North West area Lake Michigan resort destinations. Lots of old cars hidden away in old homes and if you like wooden boats, lots of them.
![popcorn[1].gif](http://www.914world.com/bbs2/style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
I just missed the Bay Harbor (Petoskey) MI boat & auto show last week, but will take my (4) grandkids to the huge local farm tractor show to view restored tractors better than our 914's and the food is to die for. Just MI stuff to enjoy.
Advice:: When it gets cold in winter & the wife complains, you become a snow bird and head down to FL for a few months
. Tom
QUOTE(Larmo63 @ Jun 29 2015, 08:38 PM)
Dang, I just got to meet and talk to you briefly at WCR, now you're going to Timbuktu?
Kidding, good luck, and I hope things are cheaper there than here.
I'll be back for events.
And yes things are cheaper. The top house in is MI, the bottom house is ours in Napa.
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 30 2015, 12:09 PM)
QUOTE(Larmo63 @ Jun 29 2015, 08:38 PM)
Dang, I just got to meet and talk to you briefly at WCR, now you're going to Timbuktu?
Kidding, good luck, and I hope things are cheaper there than here.
I'll be back for events.
And yes things are cheaper. The top house in is MI, the bottom house is ours in Napa.
Nice, Just checked it out on google maps. Nice Deck and I bet you have enough room to make the garage double deep.
Dude, I hope your looking for at least a 3 car garage and 2 bath. Still should be under 400K.
Mark, you will be truly missed here and now I will have to worked on my cars which sucks, is there someone you can reexamine for working on our cars. John
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 30 2015, 10:09 AM)
QUOTE(Larmo63 @ Jun 29 2015, 08:38 PM)
Dang, I just got to meet and talk to you briefly at WCR, now you're going to Timbuktu?
Kidding, good luck, and I hope things are cheaper there than here.
I'll be back for events.
And yes things are cheaper. The top house in is MI, the bottom house is ours in Napa.
I hope you're not seriously thinking of selling your Napa house. As the saying goes, "You'll never be able to move back!" If you can keep it, rent it out and turn all those WCR trips into a business expense. My $.02. Marty
No way. We will keep it and rent it out. 
QUOTE(mbseto @ Jun 30 2015, 08:40 AM)
Yes!!! I plan to move back when my current contract is up in 2017.
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 30 2015, 10:09 AM)
I'll be back for events.
And yes things are cheaper. The top house in is MI, the bottom house is ours in Napa.
Nice house...I happened to find a picture of it from last winter:
Click to view attachment
Have a younger brother who lives in East Lansing.
I used to go to BuggyBuilders VW bug show in Lansing every March, I haven't been in almost 10 years but it's still going on.
http://www.buggybuilders.com/
And there used to be a show/drag races at the Milan track but I think they stopped a while back. But it Looks like it has started back up at another track, US 131 Motorsports Park, just south of your new digs.
Not that many 914's, but there is a huge VW scene to get yourself involved in.
http://www.mvvc.net/eventlist/vweventlist.php
http://www.buggybuilders.com/
And there used to be a show/drag races at the Milan track but I think they stopped a while back. But it Looks like it has started back up at another track, US 131 Motorsports Park, just south of your new digs.
Not that many 914's, but there is a huge VW scene to get yourself involved in.
http://www.mvvc.net/eventlist/vweventlist.php
it would be interesting to know if the MI house is off the market for a 'rest' due to lack potential buyers. No telling how cheaply you might be able to get into it for. Is the market heated up in your local CA area?
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 30 2015, 01:04 PM)
No way. We will keep it and rent it out.
Smart move. You win!!
I now have a mechanic who knows what a 914 is and your only about 2 hrs away. You will love Michigan. Yes it does get cold here in the winter. But That is what remote start is for.
Welcome to Michigan - glad to have you
David
Welcome to Michigan - glad to have you
David
QUOTE(McMark @ Jun 30 2015, 10:09 AM)
And yes things are cheaper. The top house in is MI, the bottom house is ours in Napa.
Dude! Only $440K in Napa? Shoot, maybe Da Boss and I should think about moving...
--DD
Mark,
Surprised to hear this news. You have a lot of cars to haul with you.
Good luck on the new location.
Dave
Surprised to hear this news. You have a lot of cars to haul with you.
Good luck on the new location.
Dave
Dude...excited for you guys, but gonna miss dropping by and hanging out. When are you leaving? Tough week. First Krusty and now you.
Don't listen to all those science-deniers. According to An Inconvenient Truth, Grand Rapids will have the same climate as Napa by next year, and Napa will be uninhabitable. You are getting out just in time. 
Glad to welcome you to flyover country. I really hope you guys like it here, and I look forward to meeting you sometime soon.
Glad to welcome you to flyover country. I really hope you guys like it here, and I look forward to meeting you sometime soon.
Pack a sweater !!
When's the big move?
You're going to be awfully close to Glenn and Garold. You sure about this? 
Mark I guess we will be neighbors now! What part of Grand Rapids are you looking at? I live less than 5 miles from where the trader joes is being built.
QUOTE(Eric_Shea @ Jul 16 2015, 10:37 AM)
You're going to be awfully close to Glenn and Garold. You sure about this?
Careful there E
When is the official Original Customs going away party? 
QUOTE(Elliot Cannon @ Jun 28 2015, 08:39 PM)
Yeah, but it's 22 degrees a lot more often in Michigan. Good luck with the move.
If you need help moving furniture and such, I'll probably be out of the country that day or I'd be there for ya. 
July, August, and Winter.And the average 22 degrees is accompanied by snow, ice, and heavily salted roads.
QUOTE(Mike Bellis @ Jul 16 2015, 05:34 PM)
When is the official Original Customs going away party?
Mark, when can we set this up? We can all bring empty boxes, packing tape and beer.
QUOTE(RobW @ Jul 10 2015, 12:20 PM)
When's the big move?
Don't forget my offer to help in the unpacking and setting up. Wisconsin is just the other side of a lake too big to see across that people surf on. Welcome to the rust belt!
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