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This Magnetic North: Candid Conversations on a Changing Northern Michigan
What happens when a place is so beautiful that everyone wants to go there—and then they stay?
This book explores a phenomenon occurring around Michigan’s Great Lakes and other high-demand scenic locations across the natural landscapes are undergoing profound human and climatological change as people pick up their lives and move to bucolic locations. The Grand Traverse region in northwest lower Michigan has been one of the most impacted regions in the state, with the population increase accelerated by the pandemic and climate change. The impact of this growth is explored through field observations and interviews involving dozens of born-and-raised locals, “boomerangers” (those who grew up, left, then returned), and relocators. The author explores the tensions between newcomers and “natives.” Interviewees include tourist industry leaders, conservationists, business owners, public safety officials, tribal members, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore officials, and more. These voices characterize the region’s diverse views, providing insight into how one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country is attempting to balance environmental preservation with an influx of people. Northwest lower Michigan’s story of transformation, as tradition collides with progress, holds many lessons and will resonate with everyone who has ever lived in or visited such an enchanting place and dreams of calling it home.
This book explores a phenomenon occurring around Michigan’s Great Lakes and other high-demand scenic locations across the natural landscapes are undergoing profound human and climatological change as people pick up their lives and move to bucolic locations. The Grand Traverse region in northwest lower Michigan has been one of the most impacted regions in the state, with the population increase accelerated by the pandemic and climate change. The impact of this growth is explored through field observations and interviews involving dozens of born-and-raised locals, “boomerangers” (those who grew up, left, then returned), and relocators. The author explores the tensions between newcomers and “natives.” Interviewees include tourist industry leaders, conservationists, business owners, public safety officials, tribal members, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore officials, and more. These voices characterize the region’s diverse views, providing insight into how one of the most popular vacation destinations in the country is attempting to balance environmental preservation with an influx of people. Northwest lower Michigan’s story of transformation, as tradition collides with progress, holds many lessons and will resonate with everyone who has ever lived in or visited such an enchanting place and dreams of calling it home.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 17, 2026
I normally don't go this hard on Goodreads, but I had time today so I figured what the heck:
This was a super interesting book!
My favorite parts were his interviews with the owner of Cherry Republic, the superintendent of Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the founder of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC).
I didn't realize just how many cherries Michigan produces for the US (75% of US cherries!). The Sleeping Bear superintendent talked about how dog owners who leave their dogs off leash can destroy endangered bird habitats because the dogs chase the birds and accidentally damage the habitat (or worse, the birds themselves). He also talked about how the number of emergency distress calls has gone down in recent years because of the higher presence of national park workers stationed at the bottom of hills. Normally, tourists think they can continue climbing and won't have a problem, but a worker will stop and ask them questions like, "Do you know how strenuous this hike is? Do you have enough water left?" etc. Lastly, I thought the founder of GTRLC was a legend for buying up land and letting nature take its course rather than selling it to private owners who would develop it and destroy habitats.
Things that I learned:
• Invasive zebra mussels are somewhat of a paradox - they make the water clear and beautiful but make it harder for fish to breed on the lake bottom, contributing to endangered species.
• Michigan's forests were nearly decimated in the late 1800s to help build Chicago and Denver. After 1900, the Michigan state government shifted its focus from extraction to protection by replanting trees with fast-growing species and incentivizing planters through the New Deal-era Conservation Corps. Forests cover more than 50% of the state now (how did I not know this growing up in Michigan??). It's nice to see successful environmental policy play out in a relatively short period of time!
• Tourist destinations like Traverse City are facing housing shortages for seasonal and low-income workers. Wealthier people moving to the area are making it harder for these workers to find affordable housing and earn a living wage.
Some issues I had with the book: While I enjoyed the interview style, I do wish Mulherin offered more solutions to the issues he pointed out (housing shortages, climate change, etc.). It felt like most of his solutions boiled down to "build more affordable housing." Which is true, but I think he could've gone more in depth on specific policy solutions.
I also don't know if I could recommend this book to someone who's not familiar with the area. While it was nostalgic for me, I was expecting the interviews to connect to solutions for issues facing rising tourist destinations across the country. He really doesn't do that outside of a few minor mentions of destinations in Maine and Colorado.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed learning more about Michigan and some of the challenges facing the places I grew up visiting as a kid.
This was a super interesting book!
My favorite parts were his interviews with the owner of Cherry Republic, the superintendent of Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the founder of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC).
I didn't realize just how many cherries Michigan produces for the US (75% of US cherries!). The Sleeping Bear superintendent talked about how dog owners who leave their dogs off leash can destroy endangered bird habitats because the dogs chase the birds and accidentally damage the habitat (or worse, the birds themselves). He also talked about how the number of emergency distress calls has gone down in recent years because of the higher presence of national park workers stationed at the bottom of hills. Normally, tourists think they can continue climbing and won't have a problem, but a worker will stop and ask them questions like, "Do you know how strenuous this hike is? Do you have enough water left?" etc. Lastly, I thought the founder of GTRLC was a legend for buying up land and letting nature take its course rather than selling it to private owners who would develop it and destroy habitats.
Things that I learned:
• Invasive zebra mussels are somewhat of a paradox - they make the water clear and beautiful but make it harder for fish to breed on the lake bottom, contributing to endangered species.
• Michigan's forests were nearly decimated in the late 1800s to help build Chicago and Denver. After 1900, the Michigan state government shifted its focus from extraction to protection by replanting trees with fast-growing species and incentivizing planters through the New Deal-era Conservation Corps. Forests cover more than 50% of the state now (how did I not know this growing up in Michigan??). It's nice to see successful environmental policy play out in a relatively short period of time!
• Tourist destinations like Traverse City are facing housing shortages for seasonal and low-income workers. Wealthier people moving to the area are making it harder for these workers to find affordable housing and earn a living wage.
Some issues I had with the book: While I enjoyed the interview style, I do wish Mulherin offered more solutions to the issues he pointed out (housing shortages, climate change, etc.). It felt like most of his solutions boiled down to "build more affordable housing." Which is true, but I think he could've gone more in depth on specific policy solutions.
I also don't know if I could recommend this book to someone who's not familiar with the area. While it was nostalgic for me, I was expecting the interviews to connect to solutions for issues facing rising tourist destinations across the country. He really doesn't do that outside of a few minor mentions of destinations in Maine and Colorado.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed learning more about Michigan and some of the challenges facing the places I grew up visiting as a kid.
June 17, 2025
As a year-round part-time resident of Cedar, MI, I was curious to pick this up and probably just skim it to see familiar names and places. Once I got past his bashing of Indy and complaints that his wife was keeping him from fulfilling his dream of moving up north (I am also a wife, with Hoosier roots) I was soon caught up in the story and saga of pandemic and climate migration. Mulherin’s comprehensive research was impressive, covering everything from the history of the area to the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore to law enforcement and all the local farms and foods. It could’ve been dry, filled with only statistics, but his descriptive storytelling and the experts he interviewed helped to make it an informative but entertaining book.
August 9, 2026
It’s a good book that covers all the bases of the current issues facing the region around Traverse City and Leelanau County. He doesn’t go much further afield from that, save for a few references to issues such as Line 5, etc., so if you’re looking for something more comprehensively “Up North,” look elsewhere. That said, the focused reporter-like deep dive is easy-to-read and packed with personal interviews and useful information.
February 18, 2026
his thoughts
1st it is easy to read, filled with facts, and interesting, well done interviews. Personal responses to librarian / houseless man, sheriff, who is anti woke everything is who he wants in emergency, and his ideas on flying confederate flags are wrong. This indepth book on up north, leaves me with the opinion Traverse City is no longer up north.
1st it is easy to read, filled with facts, and interesting, well done interviews. Personal responses to librarian / houseless man, sheriff, who is anti woke everything is who he wants in emergency, and his ideas on flying confederate flags are wrong. This indepth book on up north, leaves me with the opinion Traverse City is no longer up north.
July 18, 2026
Having spent the weekend in the Traverse City area a year ago this month, I was longing for it again so I read this. Tim smoothly combines a research book with descriptive language that puts you right there in the conversations. I see his bird watcher and fisherman traits in his writing as he patiently and calmly takes you through his search for answers and his passion for the area and nature.
July 28, 2026
Tim has done a great job of addressing some of the most pressing issues facing this special corner of Northern Michigan. As he concludes, the answer lies in conserving the natural resources that made this region so special in the first place, and listening to the people who know these resources best.
August 23, 2025
Very much enjoyed this book after taking a trip to Michigan at the beginning of summer and experiencing the beauty of the Grand Traverse and Leelanau Peninsula regions for the first time.
September 6, 2025
A good reference / short story coffee table type book for cottages up north.
November 6, 2025
I love anything that discusses Michigan, this just got caught too much in its own weeds.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews