Michigan is known as the "Great Lakes State" and the "Wolverine State".   The name Michigan comes from Native Americans in the region for whom the words "Michi-gama" meant "large lake". 

Admitted into the USA in 1837 as the 26th state, Michigan is too cold for some retirees but offers the hardy many splendid amenities such as low real estate prices, excellent waterfront, and a rich natural and cultural midwestern heritage. 

Here in the northern heart of the USA, Michigan is surrounded on three sides by four of the Great Lakes.

Michigan's Northern Region, the "Upper Peninsula" is geographically very distinct from the more heavily populated southern parts of the state.  Geographically this area is much closer to Wisconsin than Michigan.

Michigan's capital is Lansing, in the Central Region, and Detroit in the Southeast Region is the largest city as well as the center for the country's automobile industry. Other major cities include Grand Rapids, Flint, and Warren.

A few of the prominent figures who were born in Michigan include: industrialist Henry Ford, aviator Charles Lindbergh, statesman Ralph Bunche, sports figures Magic Johnson and Ring Lardner, and entertainment figures Ellen Burstyn, Francis Ford Coppola, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Della Reese, Diana Ross, Steven Seagal, Tom Selleck, Lily Tomlin, Danny Thomas, and Margaret Whiting.

Detroit - Grand Rapids - Lansing - Traverse City