‘Culture Shock’ of Moving – Grand Junction, CO vs Flint, MI

I will admit that Grand Junction and the surrounding area -- from what I've seen -- is some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. With my recent move to Grand Junction I have encountered a few "Cultrual Differences" -- find out what they are.

I moved here from Flint, MI -- the most dangerous city in America -- to the beautiful Grand Valley. I will have to admit there are things I miss about my home town, but the Valley is so awesome I feel like I want to stay here for awhile.

Was my move a good choice? Here are my 'cultural' differences.

Walking

Grand Junction - it seems everyone walking around this town is doing it for exercise and to be environmentally safe -- in other words a form of transportation.

Flint - People in Flint don't walk, they run -- but not to stay healthy, to run from the danger. The only walkers are selling themselves on Dort Hwy.

Winner = Grand Junction

Driving

Grand Junction - Y'all are gonna hate me after this, but I think the driving here is gonna be hard to get used to. Blinkers seem to be optional, breaks are always a last-minute thought and speed limits are never followed.

Flint - home of automobile and muscle cars. Of course we can drive -- it's something we pride ourselves in. We drive everywhere, because it saves time; we don't follow speed limits either, we race to where we need to go.

Winner = Flint

People

Grand Junction - I'll redeem myself with this one! I think the people here are rad! Everyone is friendly, helpful and care about other people. I enjoy the hospitality that I have received since moving here, which helps from missing home.

Flint - If we take the thugs, 'gangstas' and riffraff out of the equation then Flint is rad as well. There are good people there if you know where to look, but you have to look close.

Winner = too tough to decide -- my family is in Flint.

Crime

Grand Junction - I've only been here for a short spell and haven't seen or heard of much crime. Which makes me wonder if I moved to Candy Land ... OK not really that sweet, but still.

Flint - I could talk for days about the dangers of Flint, last I heard there were more than 42 homicides with bodies being found in vacant homes all the time. If you really wanna see what Flint's crime looks like check out Flint Police Operations' Facebook page.

[The above photo is a Flint landmark that people paint messages for birthdays, deaths or whatever they feel.]

Winner = Grand Junction by a landslide.

Obviously Flint, Michigan will always be my hometown; I will now, however, consider the great state of Colorado and the rad town of Grand Junction my home!