Everyone’s RUNNING To Michigan From New York!

Job Opportunities: A Fresh Start in the Great Lakes State

It might surprise you, but Michigan isn’t just about autos and assembly lines anymore. New York might be the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of,” but let’s be honest — it’s also where dreams often get crushed under rent payments and long subway commutes.

A lot of former New Yorkers say they simply felt lost in the crowd. You could walk down Fifth Avenue every day for a year, and no one would notice if you changed your haircut, your job, or even your name.

In Michigan, people actually see you — whether you’re in Ann Arbor’s tech scene, Detroit’s creative startups, or Grand Rapids’ booming healthcare sector.

According to Hudson Valley Post, about 23% of people leaving New York did so for a new job opportunity. And when U.S. News ranked all 50 states for opportunity, Michigan placed 21st, while New York limped in at 49th.

So yeah, Michigan might not have Times Square, but it does have time — time for family, time for work-life balance, and time to actually enjoy your weekends.

Lifestyle: Slowing Down Without Stopping Progress

If you’ve ever spent a week in New York, you know the motto: hustle, repeat, collapse, caffeine, hustle again.

But after the pandemic, people started realizing they were missing out on something important — life itself. Family dinners. Quiet mornings. Not hearing car horns at 2 a.m.

Nearly 30% of New Yorkers leaving the state cited “lifestyle change” as their reason. And when you land in Michigan, that makes perfect sense. Whether it’s grabbing local coffee in Northville, taking your kids to Frankenmuth, or kayaking down the Huron River, the pace feels… human.

To be fair, not all of New York is like Manhattan. There are beautiful rural and suburban pockets upstate — but many New Yorkers seem to want a complete reset. Instead of just moving upstate, they’re moving outstate — and Michigan offers exactly that.

Retirement: Michigan’s Secret Advantage

Here’s a twist — the #1 reason New Yorkers are moving away is retirement. And guess where a growing number of them are heading? Yep, Michigan.

You might not think of the Mitten State as a retiree hotspot, but it’s surprisingly tax-friendly for seniors. Michigan doesn’t tax Social Security income, and it offers numerous deductions and exemptions for retirees.

Plus, with lower property taxes, affordable housing, and plenty of peaceful small towns like Holland, Petoskey, and Charlevoix, it’s easy to see the appeal.

New York, on the other hand, loses more Baby Boomer retirees than any other state. And while warmer states like Florida and Arizona get some of them, a good chunk head to Michigan — where they can still experience all four seasons (and yes, we count “construction season” as one of them).

Weather: Cold, But Manageable (and Actually Fun)

When it comes to weather, both New York and Michigan have their fair share of snow — but Michigan embraces it better.

According to Fox Weather, cities like Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse rank among the snowiest in the U.S., with Syracuse averaging 127.8 inches a year. Michigan’s Sault Ste. Marie actually beats them, taking the #1 spot (thanks, Lake Superior).

But here’s the difference: Michiganders treat snow like a seasonal personality trait, not a natural disaster. Snowblowers are ready. Salt trucks are rolling. Life goes on.

And when the thaw hits? Michigan’s unbeatable. You’re never more than six miles from a lake, and summertime means beach days, bonfires, and endless freshwater adventures. Sorry, New York — we’ll take Lake Michigan sunsets over subway sunsets any day.

Healthcare: Affordable and Accessible

Let’s talk about healthcare — another huge deciding factor for movers.

When Forbes Advisor ranked all U.S. states by healthcare cost, Michigan came in dead last — meaning it’s the most affordable in the nation. New York, on the other hand, ranked 11th most expensive.

To put that in dollars:

• Average annual healthcare cost per person in Michigan: $9,500

• In New York: $13,000+

That’s a $3,500 difference per person, every year.

And here’s the kicker — quality isn’t being sacrificed. According to Newsweek’s 2023 World’s Best Hospitals, Michigan’s top-ranked hospital was right behind New York’s in the global standings. So you’re getting similar care, at a fraction of the cost. Win-win.