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10 Best Places to Own a Vacation Home in Northern Michigan

Vacation homes in Northern Michigan
Owning a vacation home in Northern Michigan is a great experience. Northern Michigan is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, with Lake Michigan and Lake Huron shorelines, dense forests, and charming small towns. As a result, it is a prime region for vacation homes, especially with a variety of outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and serene escapes. However, since this area encompasses the northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula, deciding where to buy can be difficult. So, here are the best places in Northern Michigan to go for a vacation home!

Top 10 Places for a Vacation Home

When choosing a place to own a vacation home, you want to consider a lot of things, such as:

  • Scenic Appeal
  • Recreational Opportunities
  • Real Estate Desirability
  • Local Cultural

That is why we want to highlight these locations that are great spots to move to or visit in Northern Michigan!

Traverse City

Known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City is known for its vibrant community and robust tourism. There are year-round events, from the National Cherry Festival to boating and skiing. In addition, Sleeping Bear Dunes is nearby alongside an extensive number of wineries.

Waterfront cottages and condos are great places to buy for your home away from home.

Petoskey

Nestled on Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey combines a historic Gaslight District with outdoor pursuits like skiing at Boyne Highlands and Nub’s Nob, hiking, and searching for Petoskey stones along Lake Michigan. This area is known for its luxury homes on the bay and cozy cottages near Wallon Lake, making this place a resort paradise. Some great places to visit are the Lavender Hill Farm and the scenic M-119 Tunnel of Trees.

Charlevoix

Surrounded by Lake Michigan, Round Lake, and Lake Charlevoix, this picturesque town is famous for its unique Mushroom Houses, vibrant waterfront, and boating culture. It’s a gateway to Beaver Island and has a strong summer community. Waterfront homes and cottages are highly sought after, especially near the South Pier Lighthouse. The town’s walkable downtown and proximity to Petoskey add convenience.

Other ideal locations to own a vacation home include:

  • Harbor Springs
  • Mackinac Island
  • Leland
  • Glen Arbor
  • Boyne City
  • Elk Rapids
  • Suttons Bay 

Now that we’ve established some of the best places to own a vacation home in Northern Michigan, let’s discuss moving your furniture and belongings there! You may decide to DIY your move however there are some compelling reasons to get some professional help!

Choosing a Mover To Get You There

Deciding whether to use a professional mover for transporting furniture from southeastern Michigan to a vacation home in northern Michigan depends on several factors, including the volume and value of the furniture, distance, budget, time constraints, and physical ability. You should use professional movers, especially if you:

  • Large or Valuable Loads: If you’re moving multiple pieces, heavy items (e.g., sectionals, dining sets), or antiques for your vacation home, professional movers reduce risk and effort. Companies like Men on the Move specialize in furniture and offer insurance for peace of mind.
  • Long-Distance or Complex Destinations: For moves to remote northern Michigan towns (e.g., Leland, Glen Arbor) or Mackinac Island, movers handle logistics better, especially with ferry coordination or winter road conditions.
  • Limit Time or Help: If you lack time, physical ability, or reliable friends to assist, movers can save significant effort with full-service options
  • Budget Allows: If your budget accommodates $400–$1,500 for a furniture move, the convenience and safety are worth it, especially for a vacation home where you want to minimize stress.

When it comes to selecting a moving company to help you with your move, the best option will always be Men on the Move!

For moving furniture from southeastern Michigan to a northern Michigan vacation home, using a professional mover is recommended if you’re transporting multiple pieces, valuable/antique items, or heading to a complex destination like Mackinac Island. Movers like Men on the Move offer convenience, safety, and insurance!

Searching for the Best Moving Company

Searching for the Best Moving Company

Moving preparation is the basic requirement for a successful and smooth moving. And one of the basic steps to take as part of it is doing a thorough search for a mover. Simply reading about moving companies online or asking friends is not enough as you will see in this guide. It is meant to provide you with directions on how you can find the movers you can really rely on. Also, what requirements they need to follow. Make you’re moving efficiently by following the several steps here below.

Finding the Best Moving Companies

What can you do to make your search efficient and have the best results? Follow a few simple steps and they will help you on your way to finding the best moving company:

  1. First of all, begin by making a search for moving companies near you. That of course depends on whether you want a mover that is nearest you or your destination. That can be tricky. You should always get a moving quote to start the process. It is free to fill it in and after that, the movers will contact you.
  2.  Make sure they have a website by a reputable Internet provider. Today a lot of moving companies have websites so when you are searching online the result is a place where the majority of reputable moving companies are promoting their business. In addition, speak with them, see that the quote online matches what prices they will actually give you.
  3. Online is also the place to read reviews for moving companies. Some of them are fake but you will recognize for which moving company feedback is true: usually, an unreliable moving company will have only bad reviews, written by unhappy customers, or only good reviews written by the company that is fake. The best moving companies let their customers do the talking.
  4. Be careful when hiring a moving company: it has to be a real moving company and not a broker. What is the difference? A broker generally will hire a moving company to do your move and you won’t know which one it is until moving day. That may be quite an unpleasant surprise after all you’re trying to find the best moving company and expect to be dealing with them directly. A lot of people make this mistake so when contacting companies ask them if they are a mover or a moving broker.
  5. Your search should continue looking for the best moving companies by looking more thoroughly. One of which you expect to hire for moving. Search for their registration at the Department of Transportation – every moving company must have one. Here you can take a look at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules and regulations.
  6. Check the licensing and insurance, too – it is on this page.
  7. And it is not a must but it will definitely narrow your search to a better company if you can also take a look if it is present in the Better Business Bureau where you will also be able to file a complaint if that’s the case. That will give you additional information, too. You can even give them a call and ask if the moving company has a complaint against it.
  8. It would really help if you could take a good look at your home and decide what’s to be moved. Then make a moving checklist – this is the basis of your moving and the main factor that will define your moving costs. You will need to have it in order to give it to the movers.
  9. You may even want to visit to the company’s office if they are a local mover – ask them about their work, since when does the company function, how long have their employees been in the moving industry, what training they have had so far and how often do they receive new training. In general, your goal is to establish if the moving company and its staff are well experienced in what they do. While you’re in there inquire about the services that the moving company offers and the prices for them. Different moving companies will have a different price list and different services. Usually, a mover will be able to take care of your packing, loading, unloading, and storage – if you need one.
  10. Ask to see the moving trucks – they should have the name of the moving company on them. Sometimes in summer in the peak moving season moving companies hire additional trucks if necessary. But this is more of an exception than a rule.
  11. If you don’t understand anything ask the moving company. Don’t sign any blank sheets and read everything before you sign it. Especially be careful if you see small prints. When conducting your search remember to ask anything you don’t understand related to the moving or the paperwork that the moving company presents you.

Rev. 6/21/20

Downsizing Your Home

Now that the kids have begun moving back to college and some have even moved out for good, you may be thinking about downsizing your home.Why do you need all the extra space for just you or you and your spouse? Downsizing your Michigan home may relieve financial struggle as well as decrease maintenance in or around your home. Downsizing Your Home

So, how do you start preparing yourself to downsize? What are you going to do with all of your stuff? The one thing we always tell clients who are looking to downsize is before you move, pretend that everything you own, has disappeared. Imagine standing in your new, smaller home, apartment, or condo and making a list of what needs to be replaced.

Downsizing Your Home Tips

As you go down that list, put a neon sticky not on the items. So, your list may start with a bed, your appliances if needed, a couch, TV, table, and so on. It is always a good idea to know the measurements of your new place and your current furniture so you know if it will fit just right.

With all of the items that you have not marked, get rid of them. Of course, you may want to keep some small decor items, but keep it simple. Sell, donate, or throw away what you have not marked. Many people will try to move items that they haven’t marked as a necessity to try and get rid of them later. Try to do this step before you move, not only will it reduce your moving cost, but 9/10 times an item enters your new home you will “find a spot for it” even though it is not needed.

Parting with your belongings is hard. Many people carry items that have sentimental value, or other items they just can’t seem to let go. Find a climate controlled storage facility where you can store the items so they do not have to enter your home. Downsizing can be a challenge especially if you are coming from a very large home.

Finally, contact Men on the Move today for more tips, or to get a free residential moving quote today!

Men On the Move Receives 2013 Best of Westland Award

Westland Award Program Honors the Achievement

WESTLAND May 17, 2013 — Men On the Move has been selected for the 2013 Best of Westland Award in the Moving Services category by the Westland Award Program.

Each year, the Westland Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Westland area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2013 Westland Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Westland Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Westland Award Program

The Westland Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Westland area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Westland Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Westland Award Program

Local Moving with Men on the Move

Free Moving Estimate

Updated 2-5-2016

Here at Men on the Move, we can provide personalized and cost-effective moving service for any local move in the Metropolitan Detroit area including Ann Arbor, Plymouth, Troy, Wyandotte, and surrounding areas. Also, whether you are moving closer to your workplace or downtown for some fun be assured your move is in good hands with Men on the Move. When you move locally with Men on the Move, you will receive affordable moving services, with attention to detail. In addition, our goal is to be there on-time and provide you with great customer satisfaction.

Local Moving to Ann Arbor or Plymouth

When moving to or from Plymouth, Michigan, you will need to find movers in Plymouth, Michigan. At Men on the Move, we have been servicing the Plymouth and Ann Arbor. We serve these areas for over 25 years and we are very familiar with the area. Why bother with movers that have no idea where they are headed, when you can have experienced trustworthy movers of Men on the Move! Moving to Plymouth is a great idea, Plymouth is in the top five of Michigan’s healthiest housing market. There is never been a better time to move to Plymouth.

We based our pricing on an hourly rate and are licensed and insured. In many cases, we can provide you with same day or next day service if needed. Give us a call today at (734) 744-9547 or use one of easy to use quote forms to get a quote on your next move. Finally, the next time someone asks you “Who’s your mover?” just tell them I use Men on the Move.

Follow The Herd; Your Personal Moving Company from the East Side to Plymouth Michigan

Your Personal Moving Company from the East Side to Plymouth Michigan

Are you looking to move closer to work or friends and family but love the area where you live? Would you like a personal moving company to help you?  Like somewhere with a great neighborhood, community, and downtown? Many people wanting to move from the Eastside Royal Oak area look for movers in Plymouth Michigan that are located on the “westside.” Our customers moving from Royal Oak love the area but are currently renting or living with roommates and now are settling down, getting married, or ready to start a family. Also, they realize that it’s time to expand their horizons but still wish to experience the small town, window shopping type atmosphere like that in Plymouth and Northville.

Men on the Move Your Personal Moving Company

In Royal Oak homeowners and tenants love the walk downtown with shops, restaurants, and tons of parks nearby. The city of Plymouth can offer this and more! Moving to Plymouth and using us as your movers in Plymouth Michigan we can help you settle in while the city can offer you shops, restaurants, and lots of festivals and concerts in the park. You will definitely not miss the downtown atmosphere moving to Plymouth. Not lost in moving to that area is the youthful appeal of a bustling nightclub district in the adjacent community of Novi Michigan.

Another great reason to move to Plymouth is the housing market there is in the top five of all Michigan housing markets, this with the great school district and safe area makes Plymouth a great place to raise a family. If you are moving to Plymouth or any of the surrounding areas, give us a call at (734) 744-9547 or use one of our easy quote forms. Finally, see how Men on the Move can help you with your next move!