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Michigan has some great scenery, but not such a great economy. I could visit Michigan for the scenery. But Chicago has a great lakeshore. Illinois has the economy, Michigan doesn't. My vote goes to Illinois.
I know downstaters will think me a pretentious city snob for saying this, but I don't care: the only thing that keeps me in Illinois is Chicago. Michigan is a vastly more attractive place. Too bad its economy has gone to hell and keeps getting worse.
It wouldn't take but a bit of border shifting to put Chicago in either Wisconsin or Michigan, and either would be just fine by me (except I fear Michigan politics would act as a massive drain on Chicago's wealth and economy...)
Illinois. It's got a milder climate (during the winter at least), just as beautiful scenery in the northern and southern parts as Michigan does, and of course..... Chicago!!!
Where could you go wrong?
Although.... Western Michigan is great! I love it there.
I'd choose Michigan, simply because I pretty much feel like I do live in Illinois already..I've only grown up 8 miles from the border and cross into it at least three to four times a week. Been to Chicago too many times to count. I'd just love to get buried in so much snow I can't move, plus enjoy cooler summers and live in a state where each Great Lake is within a reasonable driving distance. As far as jobs go, I would say Illinois has a much better economy right now than Michigan.
Ill say what others have said. Id choose MI for scenery, IL for jobs/urban/suburban living. If I could, Id love to live in Ann Arbor or Traverse City, theyre great places. Its just a shame that MI's economy is in the state its in, its a gorgeous state, it really is.
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