Michigan’s dynamic urban amenities and spectacular, year-round scenic beauty produce an appealing yet affordable standard of living. A four-season state, you can experience some of the Midwest’s best winter powder by snow skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice fishing or dog sledding through Michigan’s backcountry. The remaining seasons offer no shortage of activities either, with over 3,200 miles of shoreline and 11,000 inland lakes to enjoy. Its large metropolitan areas feature professional sports teams and events, shopping opportunities, casino gaming and fabulous dining experiences. From art galleries and museums, to festivals of all kinds, you can find something to explore in every geographic region of the state. Leading the way in education, its revolutionary programs are connecting K-12 and higher education to the needs of the economy, providing students with the necessary skills to compete effectively in the future job market. Michigan's postsecondary schools consistently score among the best in the United States and are recognized worldwide for their research. The state’s thriving business environment has welcomed more new development and expansion projects than any other state during the past eight years. As a result, Michigan’s residents are offered many advantages, including significant tax reductions from continuous improvement of some of the most innovative tax incentive programs in the nation, affordable housing and a lower cost of living.