flyingwriter Senior Member Niles, Michigan

OK, I'm a clueless newbie here with a few question on ATC, specifically on Enroute vs. Terminal jobs.

I'm someone who would prefer the enroute environment - I like the slower pace of centers, like the high altitude aspect, and I even like the dark, closed in feeling of centers and TRACONS! However, the biggest issue for me is location - specifically staying in Michigan, a state in which there are no centers. My top four location choices are Michigan, Michigan, Michigan, and Michigan. The nearest center to me is Chicago, and that's two hours away. If I go enroute it means an impossibly long commute or a painful move, neither of which are good.

So my question is - would it be better to apply for a terminal job in-state, or suck it up and commute or move to take an enroute position? I don't have any ATC experience, so I don't know much about this. Are towers really all that different from centers?