Detroit and Windsor (Troy: home, university, living in)

[TrueDat]

I'm curious about the relationship between Detroit and Windsor across the border. I've not been to the area but, from afar, it seems like one of the more interesting metro areas because it's split by an international border.

Is there a lot of cross-border traffic and is it mostly Detroiters going to Windsor or the other way around? Do the Canadians have negative stereotypes of Detroiters and, if so, does this manifest itself in how Detroiters are treated? Even before 9-11, were the Canadians more zealous at this border crossing because of how they view Detroit (assuming it's negative)? Is Windsor at all like Detroit or is it totally different? Is it relatively racially integrated or not? Do some commuters live in one and work in the other (as happens along the Mexican border)?

Sorry for all the questions but it's just one of those little things I've always wondered. Thanks

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by TrueDat

I'm curious about the relationship between Detroit and Windsor across the border. I've not been to the area but, from afar, it seems like one of the more interesting metro areas because it's split by an international border.

Is there a lot of cross-border traffic and is it mostly Detroiters going to Windsor or the other way around? Do the Canadians have negative stereotypes of Detroiters and, if so, does this manifest itself in how Detroiters are treated? Even before 9-11, were the Canadians more zealous at this border crossing because of how they view Detroit (assuming it's negative)? Is Windsor at all like Detroit or is it totally different? Is it relatively racially integrated or not? Do some commuters live in one and work in the other (as happens along the Mexican border)?

Sorry for all the questions but it's just one of those little things I've always wondered. Thanks

I've only been here a year but I work with Canadians who live in Windsor and commute here to Troy daily. I'll try, and this is just based on conversations with them...

Originally Posted by TrueDat

Is there a lot of cross-border traffic and is it mostly Detroiters going to Windsor or the other way around?

Actually, the Detroit metro is much bigger than Windsor, so there are alot of people commuting here...and vise versa.

Originally Posted by TrueDat

Do the Canadians have negative stereotypes of Detroiters and, if so, does this manifest itself in how Detroiters are treated?

Perhaps, depending on who you talk to. I know they view the Detroit metro in general as less safe than Windsor (and they're right).

Originally Posted by TrueDat

Even before 9-11, were the Canadians more zealous at this border crossing because of how they view Detroit (assuming it's negative)?

Don't know, but they are zealous now, but because of 9/11, not because of Detroit necessarily.

Originally Posted by TrueDat

Is Windsor at all like Detroit or is it totally different?

It's smaller, and for Canada considered a "rusty old town". But compared to Detroit, it's a utopia. There is relatively little crime. My co-workers don't even lock their doors.

Originally Posted by TrueDat

Is it relatively racially integrated or not?

Compared to much of Canada, yes. I understand that the nearby town of LaSalle, ON has a large black population. Contrary to cities in America (like Detroit) with a large black population, it's considered safe.

Originally Posted by TrueDat

Do some commuters live in one and work in the other (as happens along the Mexican border)?

Yes. (See above).

[Blue Grass Fever]

Originally Posted by TrueDat

I'm curious about the relationship between Detroit and Windsor across the border. I've not been to the area but, from afar, it seems like one of the more interesting metro areas because it's split by an international border.

Is there a lot of cross-border traffic and is it mostly Detroiters going to Windsor or the other way around? Do the Canadians have negative stereotypes of Detroiters and, if so, does this manifest itself in how Detroiters are treated? Even before 9-11, were the Canadians more zealous at this border crossing because of how they view Detroit (assuming it's negative)? Is Windsor at all like Detroit or is it totally different? Is it relatively racially integrated or not? Do some commuters live in one and work in the other (as happens along the Mexican border)?

Sorry for all the questions but it's just one of those little things I've always wondered. Thanks

Yes, there is alot of cross-border traffic!

Mostly Michiganders going to Canada!

Yes, Canadians have negative stereotypes of Detroiters in general. Yes, it manifests in how Detroiters are treated. (it is partly Detroiters' fault though...)

The Canadian border patrol wasn't as zealous as it is nowadays.

Windsor to Detroit is what oil is to water or day is to night! (i'm sure you get the drift)

It is relatively (Windsor) racially integrated which i cannot for the life of me wrap my mind around that fact when all that seperates the two cities is a river.(which i like to refer to Detroit and Windsor as a "Tale of Two Cities"; it makes for a good case study on social-economics, racial relations-politics(ect.); each one being a microcosm of each countries success and failures; Michael Moore was on to something...)I spent alot of time in both Detroit and Windsor and was amazed at all the different ethnicities living in a large metropolitan area (Windsor)compared to Detroit or anywhere for that matter.

Yes there are many folks who live in one country who commute to the other to work on a daily basis. (it is quite common..)

[jrmontag]

I have a professor who lives in Windsor at Oakland University.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by jrmontag

I have a professor who lives in Windsor at Oakland University.

Care to elaborate?

[jrmontag]

Ummm, she's kinda hot?

[awakenthesun22]

Is there a lot of cross-border traffic and is it mostly Detroiters going to Windsor or the other way around? Do the Canadians have negative stereotypes of Detroiters and, if so, does this manifest itself in how Detroiters are treated? Even before 9-11, were the Canadians more zealous at this border crossing because of how they view Detroit (assuming it's negative)? Is Windsor at all like Detroit or is it totally different? Is it relatively racially integrated or not? Do some commuters live in one and work in the other (as happens along the Mexican border)?

Other posters have summed this up well, and though I can't really say much for Detroit and its area, I do like Windsor a lot. I think that Windsor is one of Canadas most racially integrated cities and that a lot of immigrants move from their home country and settle in the city. I've found that on any day it's not too uncommon to meet a girl from France, Poland or the Czech Repubic. I don't pay as much attention to the guys but I'm sure they're around too I love the city and I like to go out after Spitfires games and walk down Ouellette to see the activity and clubbers dressed like it's 75 F out when it's actually 10.

[TrueDat]

Thanks for the responses. People here in Dallas talk about the differences between Dallas and Fort Worth but I'm guessing they pale in comparison to the differences between Detroit and Windsor.

[jrmontag]

Yeah. Plus Windsor has Cheetah's.

[BurtsBees]

Originally Posted by jrmontag

Yeah. Plus Windsor has Cheetah's.

*insert drool emoticon*