Should I come to Detroit (Warren, Pontiac: houses, rent, hotel)

[and the]

How much do you want to spend for a tour??? I might be able to hook you up with an armed, escorted tour for $50.00 an hour.

[MsJax313Atl]

I love Detroit; it's home for me. However, I moved to the south a few years ago largely because of the poor job market and the incredibly poor public school system. The roads are atrocious and the crime is high in SOME areas. I'm from a middle to low income neighborhood, mixed ethnicities but mostly black, and have never seen anyone shot, killed or raped. I hate how some people go on and on about the crime in Detroit as if its different from other big cities. I lived in Jacksonville, FL for two years; the crime is just as bad there. It's sad that some posts here and other places on the net give the impression that all or most Detroiters are criminals.

If my husband could find a great job there in his field which would allow us to send my daughter to private school - I'd move back home in a heartbeat! I would encourage anyone to move where ever your heart leads you - you need to be happy. But be smart and visit often before making a move.

[Daniel_T]

Thank you all. I am planning my visit. I don't think that I will need an armed escort. It's not like I'm going to Iraq or something. I just want to know how to get back and forth to the suburbs without spending an arm and a leg. I going to be staying at the RenCen. Anyone stayed there before that can give me an idea as to what to expect? Thanks,

Daniel_T

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by Daniel_T

Thank you all. I am planning my visit. I don't think that I will need an armed escort. It's not like I'm going to Iraq or something. I just want to know how to get back and forth to the suburbs without spending an arm and a leg. I going to be staying at the RenCen. Anyone stayed there before that can give me an idea as to what to expect? Thanks,

Daniel_T

Just rent a car - they are not that expensive these days, especially if you are already shelling out for the rencen. Metro Detroit is not London or Boston, where you can get an all inclusive daily pass to hop on and off all sorts of mass transit. It is what it is. Besides, parking is a piece of a cake in Detroit compared to these other places where you NEED to take mass transit to get anywhere conveniently.

[SuziSu]

You mentioned Birmingham? If you are planning on living in the suburbs then don't even worry about it! Its safe!

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by superstition

If you want to go, go. You will find it to be a great city, if you are looking for that. There is an abundance of decay and abandoned buildings, which a lot of people think make it look trashy. Personally, I think it's beautiful and full of all kinds of character that its suburbs lack.

The worst thing about Detroit wasn't on your list, and that is the racism. A lot of anger, a lot of ignorance.

Superstition speaks the truth. It is an especially great place if you love jazz or rock, or have plans to do civil engineering or urban renewal one day. The colleges in the area, like Oakland University and Wayne State, are really first-rate in most cases. One of the cool things about the city is that the buildings look so decayed and sooty on the outside, but inside them it's always a total surprise -- stately museums, rococo townhouses, lush restaurants, spanking-clean bookstores, every place full of color and life that you'd never guess from standing out on the sidewalk.

I, personally, think the racism has receded a great deal. There is still a ways to go, definitely. But these days the big danger is youth gangs, not hate crimes or anything like that. Segregation is finally losing its grip.

I'm curious as to where you come from that you could ever be in a position to be fascinated by Detroit. It gets nothing but bad press, year after year.

[berrymist27]

Absolutely you should come to Detroit. Here's why=We have a great music scene like the majestic theatre,and if your into culture we have the DIA which is one of the best museum in the country. Also we have the DSO which is one the premier symphony in the country. lets not forget the nightline,we have the Centuar bar, Proof, the Pulse and the new 800million dollar facility which just opened is the MGM Grand casino and they have great clubs there as well. I can tell all day about what we have to offered but there isn't enough space so I will leave you to explore on your own and discover Detroit... P.S ohh the Riverfront is beautiful have fun!

[SuziSu]

I also wanted to mention that Ferndale is a great place to look into to live. It's close to downtown and it also can be fairly priced. It has a great little downtown as well which is known for its fashion mostly... oh and it's big gay community but if that bothers you at all, don't worry... I have had many straight friends that have lived there and you don't even notice it. Nicknamed fun, fashionable Ferndale!, it's a great place to live.

[Daniel_T]

Hi, unfortunately I am not old enough to rent and car, and secondly, I don't have a license. That is why I asking about the public transporation. I cannot go to any of the clubs either. Not that I want to. I just want to check out Wayne state and Oakland University. Then spend some time in downtown detroit, the area around downtown like midtown or east of downtown, then head to a couple suburbs. I will only have three full days to get this done. I think that should be enough time.

Daniel_T

[Daniel_T]

I forgot to ask. What is the weather like in Detroit around the end of March. Does it get dark out early. My flight gets in at 7:05 PM on March 20,2008.

Daniel_T