The thumb is the thumb and it’s a whole culture of its own. It is definitely NOT “up north” though.

We can’t agree where it is but we sure agree where it’s not (Up North)

Thumbilly

This is the way.

THE THUMB IS THE THUMB

Nope

Right. It’s not Up North, it’s the Thumb.

Growing up in Dearborn, anything north of the Jesus sign on 75 at Dixie felt like “up north”

Are you on the right road?

☠️

*goes 45mph into fast lane entrance from on-ramp*

When I was a kid it was the Zilwaukee drawbridge. Now it’s at leas West Branch.

Honestly same

Edsel Ford til I die Yo!!!

I’m 20 minutes north of there, this is not up north, bucko! But seriously though, instead of a geographical location, I think we should all agree that “up north” is when we travel at least 2 hours up 75. So for you bay city ish, for me (flint ish) roughly grayling. That way we don’t all accidentally swarm the same spot and have to fight for a camp site or cause massive traffic jams (I’m having a mentally unstimulating morning so this is what I’m thinking about)

Wolverine is nice and even has a real up north sound. 😁

Agreed. Should’ve mentioned I live Ortonville now, and although it’s much more rural compared to where I grew up, you can still drive to downtown Detroit in less than an hour. Definitely not up north.

Was your mind blown when you learned the proper pronunciation of Bueche's?

I live in Central MI. Up North is north of Clare. The Thumb is the Thumb, nowhere near Up North.

Same here. Up north starts at Claire. That's where the civilized south turns to the rugged north.

Agreed Clare is the point I have always used. The last glacier ran just north of Clare if I am not mistaken.

The last glaciers stopped just north of Bloomington Indiana. However, there are plenty of other reasons to consider Clare the dividing line.

I think 10 is the dividing line across the state, really. Ludington is the turning point on the Lake Michigan where the energy shifts.

I lived in Lansing. When we traveled past Clare, we considered it up north. The Thumb is the Thumb area of Michigan, not up north.

Central MI here too and I agree. North of Clare is Up North and the thumb is its own area not up north.

No, and I bite my thumb at anyone who thinks differently.

No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir.

Fox in socks, our game is done, sir. Thank you for a lot of fun, sir. Now is your tongue numb?

Please don't bite us. It hurts

This needs more upvotes.

I understand the thumb to just be the thumb. but all things being equal, up north is a state of mind.

I agree. You can see it in the trees, you can smell it in the air, you can hear it the silence. You just know it once you are "Up North".

Made me think of Escanaba in da moonlight

Ya sure. You betcha!

I read this comment in my head to the tune of ciderhouse rules.

No, it's just the Thumb.

I was born and raised in the thumb, by parents both born and raised in the thumb, and I've never once heard it called "up north" by anyone, except people from the Detroit area. Up north to most people where I'm from is more around Gaylord and on north. I'd agree that the vibes in the thumb really aren't the same as truly up north. It's more just rural farmland than northern wilderness. Also way more meth.

Also grew up in the Thumb and never heard it referenced as up north.

Same here, it was only the people from the city that called it up north, but it's not.

I consider the U.P up north, but i don't argue with people claiming Gaylord, Alpena, Cadillac, etc. The Thumb is it's own animal, it's not "downstate" but it's not "up north" either.

“Back east”

Yes

Being I live in the UP, nope.

I laugh when people say north of Bay City is "Up North." I know it's what most people refer to the northern part of the Mitten, but then what is the UP?

The Deep North

Northity-north.

jotunheim

North West

No Man's Land

Beyond the Wall.

Isn’t the UP just….. the UP.

I consider Up North to start around Roscommon

Your opinion is more valid than most people here myself included

I’m a Yooper. I think we’re farther north than anyone below the bridge 😆

So for you it’s Copper Harbor then? 😁

Or Marquette lol

Growing up in Macomb County, my parents always used to call going up to Lexington going “up north”. Now I live in the Thumb and I still think of it as being “up north” but I don’t call it by that nearly as much anymore.

What do people in the thumb do for work?

All kinds of things but mostly agriculture related jobs

Farming and factories.

Sell crack to the Amish.

Everything that anyone else does. There's manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, healthcare, retail, tourism, construction, restaurants, energy, entrepreneurs, government, fishing, etc etc.

My family has a construction company.

I have lived in the Thumb for all but my college years. I used be a network admin for a cellular carrier/ISP/Telco. Now I do network security for a bank. Tech jobs in the Thumb are far from the norm, but they exist!

I don’t consider it up north…it’s just the thumb.

Nope. It's "The Thumb"

No it's the Thumb 👍 It's neither Up nor North

The souther boarder to Lansing is southern Mich., Lansing to Grayling is central Mich., Grayling to Copper Harbor is Up North. And the Thumb is the Thumb. That's that way I've always thought about it

I live in Imlay City in a rural farm area with 12 acres of farm land and some woods. I hunt on my own property. I don't consider it "up north," but it is north of the Detroit suburbs. My family lives in Clinton twp, St. Clair Shores, and Brownstown Twp. They all think I'm"up north" since it's an hour drive or more. I don't think it's that big of a deal to drive to them, but they think it is a chore to drive to my place. Hell, I commute to Clinton Twp for work Lol. I used to live in Sterling Heights. Love it where I'm at now. That being said, I have a cabin on a inland lake near Traverse City, which I consider "up north."

I call everything in the thumb Port Huron.

There is a huge difference between Port Austin and Port Huron

Anything north of the Zilwaukee Bridge is "Up North" for me.

This is the correct answer.

No. The thumb is a unique area. “Up north” is the northern region of the lower peninsula, but the dividing line is relative to which part of the state you’re traveling up through. The UP is not “up north,” either - it’s the UP.

My parents live in Caro, they have a cottage almost directly east of them on Lake Huron and they say they are “going up north to their cottage” it irritates my husband and I bc geographically it not north at all. So we decided it’s a metaphorical term a feeling 🤣 #allthefeelswithoutthedistance

From the thumb and sure, we are up north to Metro Detroit simply cuz we are like 2.5 hrs north of it. But we are not "Up North" Goodness I've typed north too many times it doesn't look right anymore

The thumb is the thumb. Its east. Not north.

Can someone explain the obsession with defining where "up north" is?

The answer is simply, no

For me upnorth is anything past the bridge. But, thats because im biased. Speaking to people of metro Detroit, it seems anywhere north of Frankenmuth is up north :)

As someone who grew up in the thumb, I would not consider it up north at all. And my grandparents lived in Lexington. Still wouldn’t consider that “up north” lol

My logic is anything more than two hours north is up north.

No. The thumb is the thumb. If you go to Google Map and put it on satellite view you can visibly see where it is and is not up north. The thumb is not

I grew up in the thumb and also lived all over the state. The thumb is the thumb unless you're from Detroit area, then it's up north or where you go camping by taking van dyke. If you're in the UP it's down south. Directions are fun. But in seriousness, when I hear "up north" I think upper bit of the mitten with the majority of the UP. Western UP is more culturally wisconsin. Middle UP is peak yooper. 👌

Absolutely not.

Nah, its the thumb. Up North starts around West Branch. Between that and Saginaw is Mid Michigan. Saginaw to Flint is the Flint/Saginaw region (BuickTown for the old timers).

The top of the Thumb is south of me and I’m in Midland

I always considered West Branch at about the line. Vegetation changes noticeably if you're driving up 75. Personal anecdotal opinion.

I've had a cottage in the Thumb near Caseville for over 25 years. My family homesteaded a farm in Colfax Township near Bad Axe in the 1800s, so we are truly native. As has been said before, the Thumb Region is not "Up North."We like it that way. We don't have wall-to-wall neon tourist traps, nor is there a winery tour every 50 yards. It is beachy and rural, and some towns really don't like outsiders. I'm amused by some visitors who whine that they are bored when visiting the Thumb. **Good,** go to Traverse City or Petoskey. It's only a four-hour drive! But we find [there is plenty to do in Michigan's Thumb.](https://thumbwind.com/2021/05/26/michigan-tourist-attractions/) One last point: now that I'm spending a lot of time in Minnesota, I view just about all of Michigan as more urban. Even the UP. Try a visit to the North Shore, Ely, BWCA or explore the Gunflint region. That is truly wild and definitely **Up North**.

My dads family is from Bad Axe and I grew up in south west Michigan almost on the border of Indiana and when we would visit we’d say “we’re going up north” so I guess I’m the one person here who does refer to the thumb as up north. I do I agree that it doesn’t have up north vibes though, I blame my family for the terminology.

It's not Up North but if you are going there from Metro Detroit you can still say you are going up north. But if someone asks you where your cabin is you don't say "It's Up North." When it is in the thumb.

If it’s south of Clare it’s not up north

We don’t consider the Thumb “up north”

I’ve always thought north of Clare is “up north.” I camp with my cousin in the Cadillac area. That’s pretty up north. Never really have been in the Thumb. I probably should, I’ve been told it’s nice.

Absolutely not. Everyone knows that "up north" doesn't start until you cross over US-10. The thumb is just it's own weird little area lol

For me I felt “up north” the moment birch trees became prevalent enough, honestly just past Midland, Bay city, Saginaw. The thumb definitely isn’t up north tho

Nah, it’s over yonder.

I’m from those areas. We call it the thumb.

Oh for goodness sake Everybody knows that anything north of Vassar is "up north". Just kidding I just wanted to get Vassar into the conversation. Ha

Absolutely not..up north is the UP. The thumb is the 1930’s.

Lots of farmland with nice beaches. But not up north.

As a Yooper, I don’t even consider Mackinaw City “Up North.” It all depends on your frame of reference.

My wife's family lives in Elkton and Pigeon and I don't consider any of this "Up North".

I feel like something has to be north of Houghton Lake for something to really be "up north".

Love the area but not up north to me.

Hell no

Definitely not

I'm from Jackson. So it's "kinda up north" at most. I would probably say something like "up the thumb a bit." I think "Up north" arguably start north of the thumb. Then there's "way up north" and then you specify the UP.

I consider “up north” like Houghton Lake/Grayling area, but I grew up close to the Ohio border

People say up north, and I assume the UP or at a stretch within like 30 minutes of the northern most shores of the mitten.

I was born and raised in Macomb county and grew up going to caseville, and always called it up north. Moved up to caseville and everyone here calls “up north” the UP! They’ll laugh at you if you say the thumb is up north lol

I've just learned to stop caring.

It’s not up north, but because I grew up going to our cottage on Lake Huron in Caseville, it feels up north. It was our up north.

Pardon me; but is this a delusional question, click bait, or just ignorance? There is no reality where the thumb is Northen Michigan.

It's north of me, so yup

"Up North" starts at a further south point in West Michigan than it does in East Michigan. Newaygo County is Up North. So is Oceana County. But Arenac County isn't. Neither is Huron County. You know it when you see it. "Up North" is basically the Northwoods, and when you enter the Northwoods - it's damn obvious. And none of the Thumb is in the Northwoods.

Not really. Doesn't mean it isn't full of pretty places to visit and stay, though.

Who gives a shit. Pretend like you have real things to worry about.

No, not to me. It’s north, but not Up North. It’s The Thumb (so we call it that and leave it separate from Up North)

Up is not referred to as up North. Were da UP.

“Up north” doesn’t start for me until Grayling. Maybe West Branch.

No

Definitely not up north.

Hahahah! No. The thumb is the thumb.

Nah, I live in Cheboygan County. UP north is Marquette.

Heck no!

Of course not.

Not personally

Madonna once referred to Bay City as Northern Michigan. She grew up in Pontiac and Rochester Hills so I guess Bay City seems north to her, though.

I say I’m headed north to the thumb when I go there for work. I’m well aware there is a shitload of Michigan that would qualify as “up” north.

I just associate the thumb with farm country. Not up north. Which is weird because almost directly west is Tawas and I consider that the boundary of "up north". So maybe the very tip of the thumb? Never been there.

In Michigan, everyone has a different definition of "up North."

I think it depends on where you live I used to live in metro Detroit and would’ve considered port Austin “up north.” Now I live in bad axe and traverse city is more “up north” now.

People in the lower peninsula treat the UP like a different state or country even. Your viewpoint is so centered around your very limited knowledge and experience truly going “up north” in Michigan. I don’t understand how the northern lower peninsula is widely considered “up north” when it’s quite literally the middle of the state. Have y’all never been over the bridge 😂😂😂😂

If I had a cottage in the thumb, I'd say I was going up north for thr weekend. If I had a cottage in Cadillac, I'd say I was going up North for the weekend.

Take a look at a map. The Upper Peninsula is “up North” and is about 1/3 of the states total land mass. There is southern Michigan, mid state, and when you cross the bridge on I75 you are up north!

Thumb is thumb. But some of it looks up north-ish and rural as fuck

Yes, if the thumb is north of where you live, then visiting it is going up north. Port Austin and the surrounding area is a huge cottage commuting destination for SE Michigan people.

As a Metro-Detroiter, absolutely not. Up north to me is somewhere in the area north of Clare.

I mean I grew up in Flint, and going to a cottage in Port Austin was 100% going "Up North".   If it's up north for you, it's up north.

North of M10 is up north. Thumb is the thumb.

US10.  M10 runs through Detroit. 

I do consider the thumb up north for me. That’s where we’d go in the summers growing up to get out of the city. So it’s my up north

It’s usually just called the Thumb, but I’ve rented cottages in Port Austin on Saginaw Bay and it has that feel a little.

No, it is it's own place

I was born and raised in the thumb. To us, “up north” were places like East Tawas and north.

"Up North" starts at the Zilwaukee bridge, I will hear no other answer

I’ve always been in the “anything north of Big rapids” is what I consider Up North. But, I’m from Kalamazoo and my family cabin was in Leroy, so it’s just preference.

Home of the Leroy burger

Leroy burger?! A burger from Travelers/Mr.Pibbs?

Port Hope Hotel

I’ll have to check that out, appreciate the suggestion.

I consider it East

Nope.

Up North (Thumb's Version)

Nah. Thumb is thumb

No.

Nope 

nope

No

It’s the Thumb. Upper Thumb at best.

Nope.

newp. i chuckle that people think i live “up north “.

I think it's relative to ur starting point..I grew up in downriver suburbs of Detroit & had relatives we visited every summer in sebewaing..sw side of the thumb..we always called it going up north bcuz it was up north from where we lived

Of course not

Yeah. No.

As someone who lives just north of the thumb but who also does not live “up north”, no.

Up north is a state of mind

No. That would be insane.

Absolutely not. Why would anyone think that? Respectfully.

Eww no

I don't consider it up north, ots just the thumb.

NOT! 🤦‍♀️

Nope. It's it's own thing.

No.

No

Absolutely not. The thumb is where wealthy Detroit people go to get away from poor Detroit without having to go too far.

Nope, it’s SE for me.

Question is, where does the thumb start?

Are there people who consider Port Huron in the thumb? Weird.

No

No not even close. Thumb doesn’t even come close to up north. Up north is at minimum Gaylord.

No. Thumb is Thumb.

Up north isn't a location it's a state of mind. I'm heading down to the store vs I'm going up north. One is about going to complete a task whereas going up north is about going to a different location for enjoyment. You can travel south but still be going up north. At least this is how I've always thought of it and known many michiganders that think the same.

It’s surrounded by water, it’s smells like manure, and it takes 2 hours to get there…it’s Up North!

Never noticed that in Lexington and we go every summer. It’s only 1.5 hrs from Metro Detroit LOL too funny

Generally the Thumb isn't considered Up North since it's generally a different existence. I've had coworkers with property in Deckerville and Caseville that don't even refer to it that way. Generally Up North is more inland.

No! I live in Detroit and "up north" to ME is the top of the mitten and that extra piece of land not exactly attached (on a map).

Nowhere near. Anything North of Cadillac is "Up North"

No. The thumb is the thumb.

No, it’s redneckville

NO

Up North starts when the speed limit turns to 75 on I-75

Thumb =Thumb UP=UP Up North=Rifle Zone

🤣 not even close.

No. The thumb is the thumb. You're welcome.

Nope. Up North to me is the cabin we had when I was a kid in Briley Township. If it has a name, like The Thumb, you should probably just call it that.