These profiles tell the story of “Rust Belt Refugees” — former residents of the Rust Belt who have for one reason or another moved on to different parts of the country. This is part of an ongoing series — For previous installments of Rust Belt Refugees see: https://beltmag.com/tag/refugees/
Name: Stephanie Anderson Garrett
Age: 40
Occupation: Director of Communications
Current Home: Boston, Massachusetts
Hometown: Flint, Michigan
When did you leave?
After my senior year of high school, in 1992.
Why did you leave?
I moved to East Lansing to attend Michigan State University. After graduation, I moved to several Midwest cities for work and graduate school (South Bend, St. Louis, and Chicago), before settling in Boston.
What do you miss about your hometown?
Almost everything! I grew up in a great neighborhood on the northwest side with neighbors who were friendly and supportive. Everyone worked hard. Boys in the neighborhood cut lawns and delivered newspapers after school. Girls babysat and worked retail jobs on the weekend. I got my first job at Bruce’s Flowers in 8th grade. I’m not even sure I was the legal age to be working, but I loved making my own money. I cut thorns off roses and helped on the sales the floor during busy holidays. The owner, the late Bruce Strange, expected me to work hard and figure things out. I still have my first paycheck. I also miss the food, especially “Flint-style” Coney Island hot dogs and quirky places like Wood’s BBQ and Car Wash on the north side. At Wood’s, you could get a hand car wash while you waited on your take out order of rib tips, or whatever. Genius!
What would it take for you to return home?
I think about it sometimes. Flint has everything the East Coast doesn’t: spacious homes, low cost of living and easy commutes around town. I think the first consideration would be career. My husband, a native New Yorker, and I both have great jobs in corporate environments, which are still pretty limited in Flint. We are expecting our first baby, so education would also be a factor. I attended Flint Public Schools, K-12, and would like to be able to send my kid to a high-quality public school. Raising our child in a community like the one I grew up in would be a dream.
My father’s side of our family is in Flint and I still feel very connected to the city. I was married two years ago at the church I grew up in, Bethel United Methodist. We had our reception at the historic Durant building, which has been beautifully restored. Every time I visit home, I see exciting new progress downtown, like the Durant building and the new Farmer’s Market. As that economic strength starts to extend to the neighborhoods and the schools, I think more Flint expats will consider making their way back home. Maybe the city could offer housing incentives or something to returning residents? It will take time, but I think Flint is going to make a real come back.
***
Name: Hanna Friess
Age: 25
Occupation: Sales and Marketing Coordinator for BUNAC (a company that provides volunteer/work/intern abroad programs for young travelers)
Current Home: Scottsdale, Arizona working in Chandler, Arizona
Hometown: Cleveland Heights, Ohio
When did you leave?
I moved to AZ in July 2014 (quite possibly the worst month to move to the desert)
Why did you leave?
I grew up in Cleveland Heights, attended Ohio University and then moved back to Cleveland, after spending the majority of my life in Ohio I was ready for a change, and after last winter I was committed to never spending another one in Northeast Ohio.
What do you miss about your hometown?
My friends and family, of course, but also events like The Feast, Taste of Tremont, Parade the Circle and Wade Oval Wednesday. There are plenty of outdoor events and festivals here, but the events in Cleveland are so unique and have been a tradition for many years.
Do you think about ever returning?/What would it take for you to return home?
I think about returning home a lot. I love living in Arizona, but don’t see myself here for the long run. I hope to settle down in the Midwest eventually. Better weather would help!
***
Name: Erica Joyce Firment (neé Olsen)
Age: 38
Occupation: Information Architect
Current Home: San Francisco, California
Hometown: Flint, Michigan
When did you leave?
2003.
Why did you leave?
Graduate school ended. I was offered a fellowship at Cornell University. Upstate New York had alluring features like “road maintenance” and “breathable air”. After a few years in Ithaca, my interesting career options had played out. Things were brewing in the Bay Area. I grabbed my best friend, married him, and moved out to San Francisco to live the geeky dream.
What do you miss about your hometown?
Flint. It’s a good place to be from. There’s brand recognition, a blue collar authenticity that comes along with Flint citizenship. I don’t miss it. I miss people and artifacts. I miss my parents. Friends who stayed. People doing worthy things in a place where it makes a difference. I miss sharing a Labor Union background with the people around me. I miss Coneys and picket lines. I miss our history
What would it take for you to return home?
$800,000 a year and my own helicopter. Possibly the mayorship. Probably not.
—
This is an ongoing series — watch this space as we bring you more portraits of Rust Belt Refugees.
Support paywall free, independent Rust Belt journalism — and become part of a growing community — by becoming a member of Belt.
