Not definitely cities but towns also located in the US that experience the 4 seasons while winters are not as harsh as Northern Michigan. I enjoy the changing seasons but don't want to live in a snow drift with sub-zero temps. Employment is always a concern as well.

Most anywhere in California (or Oregon or most of Washington) is warmer than Northern MI in winter. We rarely get sub-freezing temps let alone sub-zero. You start to lose substantial season changes once you get to central CA, so the northern or northeastern parts of the state might be better suited for you.

What type pf employment are you seeking?

Cities or towns with 4 seasons and (mostly) mild winters will be those in the southern half of the country. The trade off is going to be hotter more humid summers. You might like Charleston, SC; Atlanta, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Dallas, TX; tonnage a few.

I would look at cities/towns along the Front Range in Colorado.

Also, Santa Fe, Flagstaff, Salt Lake City, Tahoe....you'll get all four seasons but it does not get super cold in winter.

Northern Virginia

Moderate winter temps have kept this original Hoosier in Seattle area for the last 55 years.

You need to refine your search engine. Just about all of the country have winters that are not as harsh as northern Michigan. That is not much of a criteria. Come to Denver, our unemployment just hit a record low. The big advantage is the year around outdoor opportunities.

If you want seasons, but on the mild side....Denver would be my choice too

What fmpden said: if you exclude northern Michigan and northern Minnesota, every other place in the US will have a milder winter, even North Dakota and Wyoming, lol.

In Oregon and Washington, it is cloudy and rainy/slightly snowy all winter long--you don't get many bright sunny days in the winter at all.

I would really consider Colorado...

Umm...I think you might be surprised if you compare temps in Fargo or Bismarck to some places in the U.P. North Dakota is colder on average. It is farther north and doesn't have the moderating effect of the Great Lakes to keep temps from going really sub-zero.

Seriously look at Utah. Northern Utah has all 4 seasons very distinctly, southern Utah still has the seasons.

Our unemployment has been among the lowest of the states, even through the recession. The state is booming and far more sophisticated than people who have never visited realize. The downside is more traffic, etc., but still nothing like major cities or California. Utah is quite proactive with public transportation, commuter trains and electric trains (TRAX) were started before the 2002 Olympics and continue to expand the network.

The valleys don't get as much snow as the mountains and our dry climate means comfortable winter temps and lots of sunshine.

Nice people and outdoor lifestyle with the plus of excellent cultural events.

I think Utah depends a little bit on your life style. While many states have some strange liquor laws, Utah tends to be over the top. I like getting a glass of wine with dinner.

Deschutes County (Bend area) is the fastest growing county in Oregon. Crook County (Prineville area) is welcoming another Facebook data center.
As of this summer Oregon now has 4 million residents.
If you are looking for a warm coastal location, check out Brookings.
For a college town check out Eugene or Corvallis in the Willammette Valley.
Portland is just too busy for my tastes

Fmpden

Once again your knowledge of Utah is limited and outdated. It's not useful to make statements that perpetuate myths and stereotypes.

You can get a drink with dinner in most restaurants and have been able to do so for many many years. As I said Utah is much more sophisticated than many people realize. There are even wine stores and wine lists in restaurants, shocking, I know!

Have been skiing in Park City for over ten years but it has been three years so maybe it is out of date but I doubt that much has changed. Are the screens till used in bars? Do you still have to buy your liquor at state liquor stores at inflated prices with limited selections? If I carry a bottle of wine into a restaurant that permits a bring your own bottle, does it still have to have the state liquor tax sticker on the bottle? I know the silly membership rouse in restaurants has been dropped. I think I read the screens are going away. But this is also the state that recently pass a stiff anti-gay marriage law. So it not high on my list of places to live.

Richmond, VA. All four seasons, moderate cost of living, good jobs, nice people.

psst--Dayle, don't encourage them!! We like living here with fewer people. It's great that there are people who think like fmpden. It keeps everybody away so that the rest of us outdoor loving folks can enjoy this great state along with all of the gay families who live here. shhhhhhhhh