Should I come to Detroit (to live in, shopping center, safe)

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by 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

You'll want to get to know the Woodward Local and Express buses. It will take you between downtown and midtown. The Express will also be what you want to take to get to Pontiac. From there, you can take the 756 bus to Oakland U and back to Pontiac. The Woodward buses will also take you to Birmingham and the other towns between the city and Pontiac.

March is your typical spring continental weather. It will still be a bit chilly but shouldn't be freezing. As they say around here - if you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes...

[jonjj]

Downtown may be safer than the rest of the city but repeat after me, "Boring!". I was downtown in the summer and there were some people around, but compared to other cities, unbelievably empty. Everyone drives in Detroit which may explain the whole racism thing. People just don't get together with other people who are different from them other than work. Yes, there are bars there. And so what??? Bars are everywhere. I went to see the fabulous DIA but it was closed for repair-the entire museum. I don't know. I would think there are other places of more interest for a 17 year old.

[SuziSu]

jonjj
Did u live there or just visited?

[ErikU19]

You can check out Wayne State and all of Detroit in a few hours. Outside of the Wayne State Area/Community and Downtown areas of Detroit your not going to see anything besides crime, decay, and poverty. Seriously. Be careful where you go and what time you go there.

The suburbs of Royal Oak, Birmingham, Rochestor, Rochestor Hills, etc are all attractive and have nice ammenities. These areas are night and day different than Detroit. Royal Oak has a popular downtown area and isnt as expensive as Birmingham.

Oakland University is a great School on a beautiful Campus in Oakland County. It's going to be completely different than Wayne State in Detroit.

End of march? It's going to be COLD.

[mrkue]

All of you guys need to stop hating on Detroit... I proud to be from the D. If you don't like Detroit, stop coming into the city and stay in the burbs where you belong, okay? I know that half of the pepole bashing Detroit is not even from the city am I correct? But i know for a fact that when the suburanites go out of town and are asked "Where are you from?" how much you wanna bet they say DETROIT instead Warren or Roseville. If that's the case then you should embrace detroit not put it down. I know the city has a reputation but please remember all of the good that has come out it.

[and the]

I know the city has a reputation but please remember all of the good that has come out it.

That's the problem. We can only REMEMBER the good that has come out of it. No offense, but you certainly can't count the Detroit Public School system as something good about Detroit, and that's the biggest thing that needs improvement and apparently the last on the priority list, way behind "downtown" and probably just above "the neighborhoods".

And when someone asks where I'm from, I tell them the city, followed by the state. If they ask where that is, I point to my "Michigan Map" and show them. Detroit never enters into the conversation unless they bring it up. Frankly, I'm proud of the fact that I no longer live in the city. I'd be embarrassed to tell people I have a family and subject them to living anywhere in the city of Detroit where people in my income bracket live. I'd feel like an irresponsible parent if I were still living there. And there was just an article in the news about two African-American DOCTORS who feel the same way about raising kids in the city, and they make a lot more dough than I do.

[NVAGIRL]

I am not from Detroit, so I am probably not qualified to answer but I just spend 4 days in Detroit and I would tell you to stay away! There was no foot traffic on any of the city streets, no police presence, tons of decay, abandonded buildings, lack of public transportation, friends witness drug deals out in the open in front of their hotel, our hotel had security at night which I have never experience in any city-you literally had to show your hotel key to get up to your room! Never felt safe on streets, even during the day. I live in DC area and although DC has some rough areas, it is only a small percentage of the city. Detroit seems like it has been abandoned. The only time there were crowds was on Sunday before the football game. Very sad to see such neglect.

[Detroit#1]

Yes, come one come all. Detroit needs every person it can get.

[berrymist27]

Originally Posted by 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

Im sorry I didn't realize you were under age. Well since you'll be coming around Feb. How about checking out the winter blast at Campus Martius or Ice Skating there as well. You can catch a movie at riverfront theatre inside the Ren Cen. Also you can check out the DIA which will reopen later next month, there's the Detroit Science Center and The Detroit Historical Museum. If your staying at the Ren Cen ask for a Vist Detroit Magazine and that will tell you all of the events going on around town during your stay. Enjoy! Welcome To The Detroit!

[Ghambsgate]

DO NOT COME TO DETROIT!! I have lived in the area my whole life and was born and raised in Detroit. (This gives me the right to speak the truth about the city) You will find many people here that will defend Detroit as they would their own child but the fact remains that the city IS DEAD. No matter how much is going on downtown the neighborhoods are totally crime ridden. The few areas of the city that are not are so close to real ghettos that you are still in real danger. A good neighborhood is ALWAYS completly surrounded by some of the worst blight in the country. Taxes in the city are out of control because there are fewer people there to pay them so the city has a very high tax rate. City services like trash removal, lighting, police protection, EMS service and road maintenance are almost non existant. Everywhere you look in the city there are burned out or boarded up houses, buildings and non-working street lights. The city is run by a thug for a mayor. There is'nt even a shopping center in the city and that should tell you something right there. I live in the downriver area and the areas around Detroit are much safer than the city is as long as you put about 5 to 10 miles between you and the city due to the blight spillover. You say your only 17? Don't look at an eminem video and think it's great in Detroit or that it would be kool to live in, your life is more important than some BS video. The bullets are real in Detroit and they are fired off EVERY night. As you can see I have NOTHING good to say about my former home town and I know I will get a lot of repiles about how I should be more positive about the city but I have seen the decay and violence and utter destruction and I am here to tell you teh real truth.