Please corret the population number!! TC isn't as small as you think.

I have lived in Traverse City for 15 years. I agree that some of the surrounding towns are depressed, but manysate tiny gems themselves. I have been to many nice shops and restaurants outside Traverse City and have never heard of a "kill and cook" special. Don't try and paint such a hillbilly portrait of Northern Michigan.

Concur with Chris. While TC has become the hub for food, you can find James Beard nominated chefs both in Traverse (Myles at Stella) and out in the countryside (Guillaume at LaBecasse' and Randy at blu). A growing wine industry, world class cheese (Leelanau Cheese). Layer on Good Morning America's choice as "Most beautiful place in America" ... Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Just remember to take only pictures, leave only footprints, and be respectful, your hosts will be as well.

This small article doesn't mention the fact that the micropolitan area of Traverse City contains about 150,000 people, rather than the 15,000 listed here. It's not as small as some think. I love this city.

This small article doesn't mention the fact that the micropolitan area of Traverse City contains about 150,000 people, rather than the 15,000 listed here. It's not as small as some think. I love this city.

Agree fully with comment section. Glad to see Traverse on the list but writer doesn't seem to have any personal understanding of the area (kill and cook??). I have lived all over the world and now in California but love coming back yearly to the Leelanau peninsula. For an area so water focused, the paragraph barely hints at the freshwater ocean next door. I do agree that without additional business, Traverse City and the surrounding small towns depend on the tourist and retiree business for income (like most of the other towns you have listed). It would be nice to see some more young businesses with a national reach that could provide a more diversified economic base. Food oriented businesses like www.cherryrepublic.com may be the model for such growth..

I agree! ("kill and cook?!") Wine, microbrews, culinary events that garner national attention, kayaking, kite boarding (see M22 brand), hot air ballooning, the National Cherry Festival, a renovated State Asylum, and it being home to North America's largest point-to-point mountain bike race (The Iceman Cometh) are just a handful of points the writer missed. We'll be happy to point out more :) Thank you, thank you for the nom!

It's been a pretty place to live, great spot to raise a family, with beautiful beaches and friendly people, but offset with hard winters, high cost of living and lack of good jobs.

I grew up in Traverse City and moved away. I didn't realize how awesome it was there until I moved away. Currently I live very close to another city on that list outside of Seattle. I have to say that writeup is kind of gross. What's the deal with kill and cook? I've never heard of that. I go back and have family there who are bikers. It would be right up their alley.... never heard of it. Also depressed towns? It's a tourist area and it reflects that.

I'm sure it's an oversight, but I would have thought there would be a mention of the fairly large freshwater body of water known as Lake Michigan on which Traverse City is located. The Big Lake and both of the Grand Traverse Bays occasionally merit a mention in providing both recreational opportunities and a lovely backdrop.

TC is suffering from growing pains in terms of inadequate infrastructure. I think living just Outside the city is the best! of both worlds, having lived here for most of my 60 years.