[Tabbychic]

I am between Montana and Michigan. Michigan the coast of homes is so cheap is makes it so much more appealing, but everyone says to stay out of the east side of the state.

[CrowGirl]

That seems like a pretty broad generalization. It really depends on what is important to you. Its is broadly true that home prices are higher in the Southeast. I expect what you have heard is directed specifically at the Southeast sector of the Lower Peninsula, not the Northeast. The Southeast quadrant includes Detroit, the suburbs or Detroit, many of which are expensive by Michigan standards, and Ann Arbor and towns nearby, which is also expensive by Michigan standards. But there is a lot going on. For example, if you want easy access to NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB teams, the SE area is best for that. Ann Arbor is a wonderful city to live in with the university, a good public transit system, active restaurant scene, and so on. The winters are also a little more mild as West Michigan gets lake effect snow that the Southeast rarely experiences. But if the other place you are comparing against is Montana, I expect West Michigan may be more up your alley. It's more outdoorsy, with easier access to Michigan's most beautiful natural areas, and you definitely get more for your housing dollar.

Also, like anywhere, the cost of homes within the same general area ais likely meaningful. For example, Grand Rapids is in West Michigan but prices will still fluctuate depending on where a home is located within Grand Rapids. If you find a home that is cheap compared to others in the general area there is probably a reason for it.

[Luzette]

Do you want bigger city life, or do you want a more rural environment? My favorite part of Michigan is the northern lower peninsula. This is the west side of the state along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Traverse City is the biggest town in this area. The surroundings are full of vineyards as this is wine country. Michigan makes delicious wines. Go to a map and look along the coast starting from Traverse City on down to a town called Ludington. In between are many small towns. They're all different from one another, but any of them along the lake are nice if you want small town life.