i'm from california, but i spent some time in western and central michigan in july over summer break, and i knew that some parts of the state were in bad shape because of the economy and the layoffs (mostly stemming from the closing of GM, i think)–but i was astonished at how widespread it really is. driving through the numerous towns and rural highways over the span of the day, the poverty and hardship was deafening. it seemed that every other house was in shambles and the vast majority of the local businesses were all boarded up. i can't imagine having that happen to your city (let alone whole state)–the place you call home. i feel for you, michigan residents. <3
but from what i saw of grand rapids, that city, oddly (compared to everything around it), looked like they're doing more than okay. i'd never felt under-dressed just walking down a downtown street before. it was weird how nice GR seemed to be compared to areas just a few miles out. but i'm not sure, i kind of just drove around for maybe a half hour (i think mostly in circles) then walked a few blocks around where i could find a parking spot. but maybe there are bad parts that i didn't see, so my perception is skewed–i don't know. anyone familiar with+/from grand rapids, feel free to correct me.
Being from Michigan and having lived about 20 minutes north of Detroit my entire life, I can say that you're not too far off. The Big 3 car companies employ such a large fraction of this state that when they each went through their own struggles, so did their employees. Everyone knows someone or has family that has been affected by unemployment due to the economy. It truly is sad to see so many towns with boarded up stores and deserted streets.
Being from Michigan and having lived about 20 minutes north of Detroit my entire life, I can say that you're not too far off. The Big 3 car companies employ such a large fraction of this state that when they each went through their own struggles, so did their employees. Everyone knows someone or has family that has been affected by unemployment due to the economy. It truly is sad to see so many towns with boarded up stores and deserted streets.
You are right though. It's not just tragedy in this state. Plenty of places like Grand Rapids and...
You are right though. It's not just tragedy in this state. Plenty of places like Grand Rapids and other cities near Detroit like Royal Oak or Troy are doing very well and thriving despite the economy. You can actually feel a little safe walking downtown in GR. Detroit, Flint, and Pontiac are completely different. I would never be caught dead walking those streets by myself at night. While some parts of Detroit are nice and promising like downtown near the Renaissance Center, everyone who lives near Detroit knows that drive into the city down I-94 is just a sad sight with abandoned warehouse after abandoned warehouse and with plenty of burnt buildings.
I think this song is really applying itself to the plight of Michigan more so than Grand Rapids itself. Truly an amazing song though.
i'm from california, but i spent some time in western and central michigan in july over summer break, and i knew that some parts of the state were in bad shape because of the economy and the layoffs (mostly stemming from the closing of GM, i think)–but i was astonished at how widespread it really is. driving through the numerous towns and rural highways over the span of the day, the poverty and hardship was deafening. it seemed that every other house was in shambles and the vast majority of the local businesses were all boarded up. i can't imagine having that happen to your city (let alone whole state)–the place you call home. i feel for you, michigan residents. <3
but from what i saw of grand rapids, that city, oddly (compared to everything around it), looked like they're doing more than okay. i'd never felt under-dressed just walking down a downtown street before. it was weird how nice GR seemed to be compared to areas just a few miles out. but i'm not sure, i kind of just drove around for maybe a half hour (i think mostly in circles) then walked a few blocks around where i could find a parking spot. but maybe there are bad parts that i didn't see, so my perception is skewed–i don't know. anyone familiar with+/from grand rapids, feel free to correct me.
Being from Michigan and having lived about 20 minutes north of Detroit my entire life, I can say that you're not too far off. The Big 3 car companies employ such a large fraction of this state that when they each went through their own struggles, so did their employees. Everyone knows someone or has family that has been affected by unemployment due to the economy. It truly is sad to see so many towns with boarded up stores and deserted streets.
Being from Michigan and having lived about 20 minutes north of Detroit my entire life, I can say that you're not too far off. The Big 3 car companies employ such a large fraction of this state that when they each went through their own struggles, so did their employees. Everyone knows someone or has family that has been affected by unemployment due to the economy. It truly is sad to see so many towns with boarded up stores and deserted streets.
You are right though. It's not just tragedy in this state. Plenty of places like Grand Rapids and...
You are right though. It's not just tragedy in this state. Plenty of places like Grand Rapids and other cities near Detroit like Royal Oak or Troy are doing very well and thriving despite the economy. You can actually feel a little safe walking downtown in GR. Detroit, Flint, and Pontiac are completely different. I would never be caught dead walking those streets by myself at night. While some parts of Detroit are nice and promising like downtown near the Renaissance Center, everyone who lives near Detroit knows that drive into the city down I-94 is just a sad sight with abandoned warehouse after abandoned warehouse and with plenty of burnt buildings.
I think this song is really applying itself to the plight of Michigan more so than Grand Rapids itself. Truly an amazing song though.