Welcome to Michigan

Your life in the Great Lake State begins

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Michigan Self-StorageReasons to Move to MichiganMoving to MichiganEconomic OutlookPlaces to LiveResources

Welcome to Michigan

Michigan, also known as "The Wolverine State," or "The Great Lakes State," has a population of 10 million people. The state is also known for its amazing contributions to the auto industry, education, and agriculture. It's the only state that's divided into two peninsulas: the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The state is bounded on the south by Ohio and Indiana and shares both land and water boundaries with both states. Michigan's northern boundary runs through Lake Superior.

Michigan's top industries include manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and alternative energy. The state boasts a cost of living lower than the national average and plenty to do all year long, especially if you love water and winter weather, such as beaches, skiing, amusement parks, casinos, museums, restaurants, nightlife, and more.

Some of the top attractions are Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Mackinac Island, Isle Royale National Park, The Henry Ford Museum, and Tahquamenon Falls.

Michigan Self-Storage Facts

The Michigan self-storage sector has expanded in recent years thanks to unmet demand from consumers and the effect of natural population growth. A huge trend of development is taking place across the nation, including within the state of Michigan. In the wake of the most recent recession, funding for new building self-storage space dried up and existing storage properties reached record levels of occupancy. Recently however, investment and capital has returned to the self-storage industry and has led to a race for developers to find suitable sites for self-storage across the country. Such sites include vacant land, but also empty big box stores that can easily be converted into storage space. Below is an overview of the current state of the Michigan self-storage market:

Below are some statistics that provide an overview of the self-storage industry in Michigan:

1,378

Michigan is home to about 1,378 self-storage facilities.

43,193,325

Michigan self-storage facilities cover 43,193,325 square feet of storage space.

4.38

Michigan storage facilities offer 4.38 square feet of storage per person, which is lower than the national average of 5.4 square feet per person.

Reasons to Move to Michigan

Looking to make a move, but you aren't quite sure Michigan is the place for you? Take a look at our 10 reasons to fall in love with The Great Lakes State.

1

Winter wonderland. Are you one of those people who just can't wait until the first snowfall every winter? If so, you'll absolutely love Michigan because the state gets an average of over 200 inches of snow per year. Moving there means stocking up on a few good winter coats and pairs of snow boots because at least six months of the year, you're looking at cold, winter weather.

2

Perfect for water lovers. Michigan has over 36,000 miles of streams and more than 11,000 inland lakes. So if you're a water lover, Michigan could be the best move you ever made because, in the summertime, you'll be able to enjoy a variety of water-based activities, including water skiing, boating, fishing, swimming, jet-skiing, and more.

3

Star gazing. If you've ever been stargazing, you'll love Michigan. It has some of the clearest skies at night to make stargazing truly amazing. Taking your spouse out the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Emmet County for a romantic night of stargazing.

4

The Coney Dogs. The Coney Dog was invented in Detroit so if you're going to be living in Michigan, you have to try hot dogs Michigan-style. That means a delicious and authentic Coney Dog, topped with chili sauce, mustard, and onions. Adding ketchup could draw some serious stares. Seriously, don't. When in Rome, right?

5

Affordable homes. If you're looking to buy a home when you eventually move out of state instead of renting, Michigan is a great place to do it because the state is home to some of the most affordable houses in the country, some going for less than $1,000. Of course, those are the ones that'll need some work, but you get the point.

6

The sports scene. Michiganders are famous for being die-hard sports fans, whether at the professional or college level. Professional teams include the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions so if you're a fan, you'll likely find someone to watch the games with every week.

7

Craft beer game is strong. According to Smart Asset, the craft beer scene in Michigan is a great place to enjoy some of the most well-reviewed craft beers in the country. So if you've got a taste for craft beer, you'll likely share that love with your fellow Michiganders.

8

You can see the Northern Lights, sometimes. Moving to Michigan means you'll have a chance to see the Northern Lights, which is sometimes visible over Lake Superior on nights when conditions are clear.

9

Cherry capital of the world. If you're a fan of this delicious fruit, you'll love cherry season in Michigan because you'll be much closer to the hundreds of cherry orchards sprinkled throughout the state. And you'll spend a lot less than you would in a grocery store.

10

Middle Eastern cuisine. Are you a sucker for kabobs, hummus, falafel, and shawarma? Michigan's got you covered, particularly in Dearborn, which has become a destination for delectable Middle Eastern cuisine.

Moving to Michigan

Michigan has a population of 10 million people and ranks as the 10th largest state in the country by population. From 2018 to 2019, the population increased by 0.25 percent. The reason people are leaving seems to be new jobs and retirement. About 55 percent of people moved out of Michigan recently, according to the National Movers Study. According to Patch.com, more people are moving out of Michigan than moving into it. But the good news is that housing prices are low, meaning it'll be easier to purchase a new home than it would be in some other states. This creates more demand for self-storage as most people who use storage are doing so as part of a move to a new home.

Michigan Economic Outlook

The unemployment rate in Michigan is a whopping 9 percent, making it the third-worst in the country. However, on the plus side, the state is creating jobs at a higher rate than the national average. Things are starting to get better throughout the state, but there's still a ways to go. Michigan's GDP is $528 million as of 2018, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Below is a breakdown of the top sectors in Michigan by real value GDP added:

$90.29 billion
Manufacturing
$75.96 billion
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing
$65.4 billion
Professional and business services
$47.12 billion
Government and government enterprises
$44.14 billion
Educational service, health care, and social assistance

The Michigan economy was estimated to grow by 2 percent in 2019 and is expected to grow by 1.3 percent in 2020 and 1.6 percent in 2021. Wage and salary employment is predicted to continue growing, as it increases by 0.2 percent in 2020 and 0.1 percent in 2021.

Michigan has a cost of living score of 96.7, meaning it's cheaper than the US average. It also beats out the US average for the cost of groceries, healthcare, and housing, which means you should be able to find affordable housing and more than favorable living conditions.

Who are Michigan's Largest Employers?

EMPLOYER
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
General Motors
225,000
Ford Motor
201,000
Enstrom Helicopter
174,110
Lear
148,400
Whirlpool
93,000

Places to live in Michigan

Michigan is the largest state east of the Mississippi River at a total of 97,990 square miles. With 3,288 miles, Michigan has the second-longest total shoreline in the country–second only to Alaska. About 52 percent of Michigan's land area is forested. Moving to Michigan means you'll never be more than six miles from a natural source of water. The three largest cities in the state include Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Warren.

Detroit

Dubbed "Motor City," and named "One of America's Most Fun Cities" by Thrillist, Detroit is Michigan's largest city, with a population of 695,437 people. Although Detroit gets a bad rap from some folks, the city has more to offer than most people realize, including tons of attractions and activities like amusement parks, casinos, racetracks, water parks, art galleries, museums, theaters, coffee shops, wineries, restaurants, and nightlife. Outdoor activities available throughout the city include boating, fishing, biking, golfing, hunting, ice fishing, snowboarding, and skiing.

Cost of living
3 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$163,200
Average rent
$1,068 per month
Average apartment size
803 square feet

Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is the second-largest city in the state, with a population of about 200,000 people. It was rated one of the top 20 places to live in America and has a charming, small-town feel and a somewhat artsy vibe to it. Grand Rapids has tons to offer when it comes to entertainment, including museums, beaches, nightlife, live music, pro sports, historic sites, breweries, shopping, and attractions such as the John Ball Zoo and Beer City USA.

Cost of living
9 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$163,400
Average rent
$1,053 per month
Average apartment size
866 square feet

Warren

Located about 15 miles north of Detroit, Warren is Michigan's third-largest city, where more than 135,147 people reside. Warren is located in Macomb County and provides an authentic suburban feel and tons of great public schools, as well as a range of activities and attractions, such as parks, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Attractions include Warren Community Centre Indoor Waterpark, Weigand Park, and Dragonmead Microbrewery.

Cost of living
10 percent lower than the national average
Median home price
$140,100
Average rent
$821 per month
Average apartment size
853 square feet

Moving to Michigan Resources

All Michigan Cities