I am located near the Oakland and Lapeer county line. My heritage is here, as well as a lot of my family. My family name has been around here since before Michigan statehood. My great, great grandfather fought in the civil war. I have many family members across the nation now. I even have an Aunt and Uncle in Phoenix. My business and property values keep me here. Due to economic circumstances in addition to my own desire to starve the beast I am shrugging. I used to have a much larger operation, but every time I turned around they made the return on my increased effort less fruitful, so I downsized my workforce, retaining the assets waiting for better times. I have ridden out many recessions before, but none so severe. Now I can't sell my properties or business for a price that would allow me to live out the remainder of my life without serious hardship. I used to have money, but paying off machinery and assets in order to weather the storm has depleted my nest egg. I now must work beyond the point I thought I would retire. At least I have the Gulch. :)