The state is mostly 'asleep' in the metro areas. People work hard in the auto industry between layoffs, and when they get cash they need to upgrade the 'sleds' and big screen TVs. People buy things and never train on their thing.
As for rural, MI has a LOT of that. I don't think rural people 'prepare' because to them it's their lifestyle, not a thing they do or are enthused about. There's a big difference between "I'm learning how to can foods so I can prep!" vs "I know how to can foods so I can eat this winter."
My takeaway was that MI is a very resilient state, with a lot of gun ownership. As long as you're about 25 miles from a ghetto center, the odds of bangers and whoever making it out that far are slim. The ones that live through pillaging the suburbs will be dangerous though.
The conventional thinking about Michigan is:
The Bridge will be closed. You cannot bug out to the UP.
Detroit, Pontiac, Saginaw, and Flint will likely be set aflame as the Entitlists cant get food stamps. If you 'bug out' on a highway, it'd better be fast, before the masses figure out help isn't coming. If these are on your way 'up north', then there's a good chance that 'up north' isnt right for you.
Be at least 50 miles from a population center if you plan to 'bug in'.
Know at least 3 routes (5 is better) to your 'bug out location'.
Escape to national and state forests is a dumb idea.
Deer will be hunted to near extinction. Quail and pheasant are smart things to learn to hunt.
The Detroit --> Chicago corridor continues to see population growth. Homesteading in that swath is not the best long term option. Though, this is happening slower than economists and demographic analysts predicted
