need info on Detroit metro area
May 24th, 2001 | 10:34 AM
#1
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need info on Detroit metro area
We are a couple who will be moving to the area (no children). Any recommendations for neighborhoods in the city or close-in suburbs that are close to restaurants, shops, night life and public transportation would be appreciated.
May 24th, 2001 | 12:27 PM
#2
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Mary:
Do a search on this forum on Detroit. There is one particular thread which received many comments.
I lived in Detroit 1-1/2 years ago, so I hope I can provide answers to some of your questions.
As far as places to live w/in the city or nearby, I'm afraid that I don't know much. It seems like there are many nice neighborhoods near the junction of I-696 and I-75, just north of the downtown area. But if you're moving from elsewhere within the midwest or from a similar-sized town, you may be in for "sticker shock" when it comes to the price of housing. IMO, it's quite overpriced, especially when compared with other midwestern cities.
Big areas for restaurants/shops are Novi, Troy, Farmington Hills, and the "Bloomfields".
As far as public transportation, forget it! Detroit, after all, is the MOTOR CITY. Seems like they haven't quite gotten the fact that just because a city has a good public transportation system does NOT mean that people will stop buying cars. You'll notice this most on the area freeways, which are quite frequently parking lots, especially at rush hour.
Downtown Detroit is making a valiant effort at attracting nightlife, activities, etc. Greektown has some great restaurants; there's the Fisher Theater (near downtown); 3 casinos, and a great new baseball park -- Comerica Park. Hope for their sake that the new football stadium will be as nice.
Overall, Mary, I personally found Detroit to be too spread out, overpriced, and congested for my taste. Hope you have a better experience. One thing I can say -- I made some wonderful friends up there. I think that you'll find most people there to be your typical friendly midwesterner.
Good luck!
Do a search on this forum on Detroit. There is one particular thread which received many comments.
I lived in Detroit 1-1/2 years ago, so I hope I can provide answers to some of your questions.
As far as places to live w/in the city or nearby, I'm afraid that I don't know much. It seems like there are many nice neighborhoods near the junction of I-696 and I-75, just north of the downtown area. But if you're moving from elsewhere within the midwest or from a similar-sized town, you may be in for "sticker shock" when it comes to the price of housing. IMO, it's quite overpriced, especially when compared with other midwestern cities.
Big areas for restaurants/shops are Novi, Troy, Farmington Hills, and the "Bloomfields".
As far as public transportation, forget it! Detroit, after all, is the MOTOR CITY. Seems like they haven't quite gotten the fact that just because a city has a good public transportation system does NOT mean that people will stop buying cars. You'll notice this most on the area freeways, which are quite frequently parking lots, especially at rush hour.
Downtown Detroit is making a valiant effort at attracting nightlife, activities, etc. Greektown has some great restaurants; there's the Fisher Theater (near downtown); 3 casinos, and a great new baseball park -- Comerica Park. Hope for their sake that the new football stadium will be as nice.
Overall, Mary, I personally found Detroit to be too spread out, overpriced, and congested for my taste. Hope you have a better experience. One thing I can say -- I made some wonderful friends up there. I think that you'll find most people there to be your typical friendly midwesterner.
Good luck!
May 24th, 2001 | 12:45 PM
#3
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I am originally from the Detroit area. Detroit suburbs are basically divided between the east siders and the west siders. East side is north of the city and some of the suburbs are St clair Shores, Grosse Pointe and Mt Clemens and they border the Detroit river and Lake St Clair. There are some nice restaurants near the lake area. Rochester is also on the east side and has some neat shops.
The area has many large shopping malls - Lakeside on the east side is one of them. I don't know where you are from but Detroit is different from most large cities because most of the action is in the suburbs not in the city. Rich is right about the public transit also. You really need a car.
He also points out some of the west side areas like Novi, Troy and the Bloomfield area. Royal Oak has some neat shops as does Birmingham.
I'd really do some checking out some of the areas before I buy. You might want to rent for awhile because each area is different.
It just depends where you work, how long you want to commute, what kind of entertainment you like, whether you want shopping malls or quaint stores, etc. Also, Detroit has recently built some casinos downtown. Greek Town is a fun area downtown. However, most people only venture downtown occasionally unless they work downtown and stay after work.
You might also find that you want to move way out of the area. Many people live in towns like Brighton, Howell and even Lansing and commute to Detroit. Michigan has some beautiful areas, lakes, parks, etc.
Good luck with your move and don't forget to explore the rest of Michigan while you're here.
The area has many large shopping malls - Lakeside on the east side is one of them. I don't know where you are from but Detroit is different from most large cities because most of the action is in the suburbs not in the city. Rich is right about the public transit also. You really need a car.
He also points out some of the west side areas like Novi, Troy and the Bloomfield area. Royal Oak has some neat shops as does Birmingham.
I'd really do some checking out some of the areas before I buy. You might want to rent for awhile because each area is different.
It just depends where you work, how long you want to commute, what kind of entertainment you like, whether you want shopping malls or quaint stores, etc. Also, Detroit has recently built some casinos downtown. Greek Town is a fun area downtown. However, most people only venture downtown occasionally unless they work downtown and stay after work.
You might also find that you want to move way out of the area. Many people live in towns like Brighton, Howell and even Lansing and commute to Detroit. Michigan has some beautiful areas, lakes, parks, etc.
Good luck with your move and don't forget to explore the rest of Michigan while you're here.
May 24th, 2001 | 03:54 PM
#4
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Mary
I live in Detroit, Mi and need more info on where/what areas are you considering moving too. West side/East side? Is this a job change? If yes, where exactly will the job be located. Are you looking at a pricey home or average home? The suburbs are building lots of new homes around the metro detroit area. Southfield Mi is a nice centrally located area (more west side).. Farmington Hills & West Bloomfield are nice, but more costly areas. If your looking more east side, you'll find newer homes much cheaper than the west side.These suburb areas are more east-Shelby Township (I really like this area), Bloomfield Hills, which has the more UPPER class homes ($400,000 & up) GORGEOUS homes, Sterling Heights is nice, Warren, & St.Clair Shores, Auburn Hills, which is close to the Palace Arena where they have different events- basketball, concerts, etc.. Downtown Detroit is growing and they are trying to redevlop the area. They just added 3 casino's, a new baseball field and they are working on a new football field. Michigan is big. It's up to you how much money you want to spend and location of job.
I live in Detroit, Mi and need more info on where/what areas are you considering moving too. West side/East side? Is this a job change? If yes, where exactly will the job be located. Are you looking at a pricey home or average home? The suburbs are building lots of new homes around the metro detroit area. Southfield Mi is a nice centrally located area (more west side).. Farmington Hills & West Bloomfield are nice, but more costly areas. If your looking more east side, you'll find newer homes much cheaper than the west side.These suburb areas are more east-Shelby Township (I really like this area), Bloomfield Hills, which has the more UPPER class homes ($400,000 & up) GORGEOUS homes, Sterling Heights is nice, Warren, & St.Clair Shores, Auburn Hills, which is close to the Palace Arena where they have different events- basketball, concerts, etc.. Downtown Detroit is growing and they are trying to redevlop the area. They just added 3 casino's, a new baseball field and they are working on a new football field. Michigan is big. It's up to you how much money you want to spend and location of job.
May 26th, 2001 | 03:21 PM
#5
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We'd like to spend under 100,000 and find a small one story (2bdrm, 1 bath) with very small yard probably built in the early fifties in the city or close in suburb with an easy commute to downtown and close to musical entertainment, movies, plays and outdoor recreation. We'd like a safe, modestly priced area with no bars on the windows of the homes and no loud barking mean dogs. Is it possible to find this in the price range we are looking at?
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May 27th, 2001 | 06:53 PM
#9
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Absolutely Mary..
You may want to look into Oak Park area Ferndale and Southfield. These areas are more West side. You may end up spending around $100,000 or $110,000.
You can always work out some deals especially for what your looking for. Just find a really go realtor willing to work with you and you'll do just find.
You may want to look into Oak Park area Ferndale and Southfield. These areas are more West side. You may end up spending around $100,000 or $110,000.
You can always work out some deals especially for what your looking for. Just find a really go realtor willing to work with you and you'll do just find.
Jun 11th, 2003 | 05:52 PM
#10
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We located to the Detroit area 4 years ago. We had sticker shock. We eneded up moving to Grosse Pointe Woods and LOVE IT!!
It is convenient for us. I work in Southfield and my husband in Warren. It is a great city, great schools, and other community services. It is not that inexpensive of an area, however, you can find houses for $130,000 if you look in the paper.
Good luck to you
It is convenient for us. I work in Southfield and my husband in Warren. It is a great city, great schools, and other community services. It is not that inexpensive of an area, however, you can find houses for $130,000 if you look in the paper.
Good luck to you
Jun 11th, 2003 | 08:16 PM
#11
Joined: Mar 2003
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mary..
I would look into the west side...Novi Howell, etc. smaller $ for homes, etc. I would agree that condo is better if in that area. If you are set on a home, i don;t know what to tell you. Ferndale? Royal Oak is waaayy overpriced. Berkley and Clawson are options as well. That puts you in the area of dining, etc....
I would look into the west side...Novi Howell, etc. smaller $ for homes, etc. I would agree that condo is better if in that area. If you are set on a home, i don;t know what to tell you. Ferndale? Royal Oak is waaayy overpriced. Berkley and Clawson are options as well. That puts you in the area of dining, etc....
