"I'm from Detroit" boundaries (Flint, Ann Arbor: neighborhood, to buy, living)

[ragnarkar]

I'm pretty flexible when it comes to what people's definitions are when they claim they're from Detroit. My personal boundary areas are as follows:

North - Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills.
East - Canada Boundary
South - Flat Rock, Gibraltar, etc.
West - Livonia, Novi, Canton, Northville.

Nearby areas I don't consider as "part of Detroit" - Ann Arbor, Flint, Port Huron, Monroe, Windsor (Canada)

Wonder what others think of the boundaries of the "Detroit area"..

[animatedmartian]

I used to not consider Romeo as apart of Metro Detroit, but it's just a teensy bit getting reached by suburban sprawl.

[Indentured Servant]

For what purpose? I mean....what is your criteria for what area is in and what area is out?

There are multiple VIEWS of population counts.

There are:

Urbanized Area
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area
Basic Trading Area
Nelson Market Area
Etc

Depending on the needs of those viewing the demographics, there are different criteria to determine what is part of the Detroit area and what is not.

For my view, I simply use 60 mile radius. If its a town in the 60 mile radius.....then its part of that area.

[YAZ]

When I lived in Brighton, I would just say....."I'm from Brighton."

No one here knows where that is, so now I just say....."I'm from the Detroit area."

[urbanliving99]

I think the city given for the "where are you from question" derives itself more from a self assesment of the audience you're talking to in an effort to establish rapport and isn't linked to any boundary.

If you're in LA, Miami or Texas in an airport and someone asks where are you from- the response is likely to be Detroit (i.e. a geographical frame of reference) as the questioner is not presumed to know the name of every suburb/exurb. You choose the closest large city you think that person would know. Folks from Taylor, Northville, Lake Orion or Armada would all say "Detroit".

If you're talking to a coworker in Oakland County - the response will be the specific town in which you reside (e.g. Romeo) as the audience knowledge base has expanded to know all towns in the Tri-County area.

If you're talking to someone who lives in the same town, you'll give the specific neighborhood (e.g. Indian Village)

In regards to the OP - I think Ann Arbor and Flint are distinct enough across the country that they don't identify with Detroit. Monroe and Pt Huron I would suspect still claim Detroit.

[Indentured Servant]

Originally Posted by urbanliving99

I think the city given for the "where are you from question" derives itself more from a self assesment of the audience you're talking to in an effort to establish rapport and isn't linked to any boundary.

If you're in LA, Miami or Texas in an airport and someone asks where are you from- the response is likely to be Detroit (i.e. a geographical frame of reference) as the questioner is not presumed to know the name of every suburb/exurb. You choose the closest large city you think that person would know. Folks from Taylor, Northville, Lake Orion or Armada would all say "Detroit".

If you're talking to a coworker in Oakland County - the response will be the specific town in which you reside (e.g. Romeo) as the audience knowledge base has expanded to know all towns in the Tri-County area.

If you're talking to someone who lives in the same town, you'll give the specific neighborhood (e.g. Indian Village)

In regards to the OP - I think Ann Arbor and Flint are distinct enough across the country that they don't identify with Detroit. Monroe and Pt Huron I would suspect still claim Detroit.

[Retroit]

I just tell people I'm from Detroit so they don't mess with me.

[Tyveker]

Originally Posted by Retroit

I just tell people I'm from Detroit so they don't mess with me.

AGREED

My sister is constantly hounding me to buy one of those "I'm so bad I vacation in Detroit" shirts (she lives in Chicago).

[Indentured Servant]

Originally Posted by Retroit

I just tell people I'm from Detroit so they don't mess with me.

Actually, I find that people tend to want to "TEST" you (or themselves) when you tell them that you are from Detroit. There is no better way to get a rep than to kick someones butt from Detroit.....or so it seems.

[Retroit]

Originally Posted by Indentured Servant

Actually, I find that people tend to want to "TEST" you (or themselves) when you tell them that you are from Detroit. There is no better way to get a rep than to kick someones butt from Detroit.....or so it seems.

Not the people I come in contact with.