Things You Should Know Before Moving to Flint, MI - Movers.com
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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Flint, MI

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It's the birthplace of general motors and is the seventh largest city in Michigan. Flint, just northwest of Detroit, is home to the University of Michigan Flint campus and was once an epicenter for the auto industry.

Considering a move to the Auto City and need help finding information? Look no further than right here at Movers.com. This guide will offer you tips and moving resources to help you along. You can also compare moving quotes by filling out our easy form.

 

Flint Climate

As a resident of Flint, you will experience four distinct seasons as part of a humid continental climate. Summers are usually very warm and humid, with daily temperatures in the mid 70s to 90s. Winters are very cold and accumulate a significant amount of snow (almost 50 inches annually). January averages temperatures in the 20s.

Spring temperatures range from the mid 40s to mid 70s, and the average annual rainfall is approximately 31-inches.

Flint Neighborhoods

Most of the residential neighborhoods in Flint are located around the downtown business district of the city. On the western side, there's Carriage Town and the Gran Traverse District. Grand Traverse is a 70-square-block neighborhood, bounded by Interstate 69, Swartz and Thread Creek, and Beach Street. The area is home to over 1,000 residents, according to the district's neighborhood association.

The Carriage Town area holds a significant amount of fraternity houses, both from the University of Michigan Flint and Kettering University. The area also has some Victorian style homes still standing from the early 1920s.

Registering Your Car

Upon your relocation to Flint, you'll need to head over to the Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles for a new license, registration and tags. To transfer your registration, you will need proof of auto insurance in Michigan, proof of identification and the original vehicle title. To transfer your driver's license, you will need proof of identity and residence, your Social Security card, valid Michigan auto insurance, and you will have to pass a vision test and knowledge test.

The average fee for a license is $25 and the cost of registration and plates can run $20 and up depending on whether or not you choose special tags.

Flint Schools

Flint Community Schools operates the public education system in the city. There are 14 elementary schools and three high schools with grades 7-12. Flint is also home to the state-run Michigan School for the Deaf, and one Catholic high school.

The most notable college in the city is University of Michigan campus (one of three). Other higher education opportunities in the area include Kettering University and Mott Community College, which has satellite locations for Cleary University, Ferris State University Rochester College and, Michigan State University and University of Michigan-Flint.

Flint Employment

Once a dominant force in the auto industry, Flint has since had to spread its industries to other sectors since the collapse in the 1970s. The city has made efforts in drawing in small parts manufacturers and more commercial businesses to revitalize the area's struggling economy. The city has made an effort to renovate and restore much of the urban decay over the last few years, adding a need for construction workers and architectural planning.

The automotive industry, though not what it once was, is still responsible for almost 20,000 employees as of 2010, with healthcare, higher education, banking and federal employment sectors following. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Flint's unemployment rate was at 8.8 percent as of April 2013, steadily dropping from earlier months in 2013.

Living Costs in the City

Your budget definitely won't be strained if you're relocating to Flint, as most living costs are well below the national average aside from utilities. Unfortunately the low cost of living has much to do with the area's recent financial woes and minimal employment, but it has slowly started to pick back up. The current average listing price for homes in the area is approximately $50,000, while the median sales price is just above $56,000. However, there are many homes in the city that range in price from $110,000 to $300,000.

If you rent, studios and single bedrooms can start at a modest $350 per month, and can increase up to $800 per month depending on the location and square-footage of the property.

Water bills in the city may be more costly, sometimes running up to $100 per month, excluding individuals on a low or fixed income.

Flint Moving Resources

Moving and storage companies can professionally service your move to Flint, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Michigan. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:

Flint Transportation

Many residents in Flint rely on public transportation to get around, and as a new resident you will have the option of various bus lines, an Amtrak rail line that runs from Chicago to Port Huron, and for air travel, the Bishop international Airport. Flint Mass Transportation Authority provides Flint with local bus routes, while Greyhound Lines provides inter-city bus routes going north to Bay City and south to Detroit.

If you own a personal vehicle, you will travel on major highways such as: I-69, I-75, I-475, US 23, M-21, and M-54.

Culture & Contemporary Life

As a new Flint resident, you will want to get familiar with things to do and places to go around your new city. For a taste of the cultural side of the city, a part that is often overlooked in such an industrial area, head over to the Flint Institute of the Arts, or the Buckham Gallery. You can view or even purchase works of art from a variety of different artists. For music lovers, Flint has Folk Music Society concerts to attend for a small fee. There's also the Longway Planetarium, which has seasonal shows during the holidays - a great family-friendly activity!

For a sense of Genesee County's history, take a trip to Crossroads Village. You can ride the Huckleberry Railroad, or take in some of the seasonal exhibits. Go here for more information about the county's parks and fun upcoming events.

Flint Relocation Tips

  • Research your neighborhood carefully before moving. Many areas of Flint are known for high crime rates, so you want to ensure you've picked a safe place before moving in.

     

  • If you're moving from an area with warmer weather, you will need to spend some time revamping your wardrobe to fit the changing seasons. Loose fitting and light clothing in the summer, and heavy jackets and snow boots in the winter. Don't forget about scarves, hats and gloves, either!

     

  • The unemployment rate in the city is still very high, so make sure you have a job lined up before you make any permanent move!

Jenna Farmer  Posted by Jenna Farmer on June 7, 2013

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