Michigan actually has some things going for it. An established public university system. Some decent bones for infrastructure (albeit not well-maintained). Miles upon miles of beautiful freshwater coastline.

Maybe it's just nostalgia - being a MI expatriate, and one from a uni town, to boot - but there is much to recommend raising a family there. If one can find a job (ah, there's the rub: Granholm, get your Canadian ass in gear!). In my heart I hope the artist movement in Detroit, spurred by the low cost of living, has legs. Detroit really is a wonderful, historic, decaying, beautiful city.