Moving from Dallas to Detroit

[productionline]

Livonia, Michigan is a fairly nice city going downhill fast. The downfall began when the new Meijers and Wal-Mart broke ground in the city.

Residents jumped for joy when Wonderland Mall faced the wrecking ball but then Wal-mart stepped in, the applause stopped. Now we have the Livonia Mall which makes flea markets look like Saks on Fifth Avenue.

Here's the problem. The inner city folks that migrate over to the city to do their shopping. Why do they come here? Because there is nowhere for the inner city folks to shop. Many (not all) destroy their own neighborhoods and steal from the stores.

Ten years ago when Mayor Archer was in office, it was a BIG deal that K-Mart opened up a store off 8 Mile Road. Great looking store complete with a Police station built right into it. Grand Opening had Isiah Thomas and other celebrities signing autographs. Was featured all over the news and K-Mart got a ton of praise for opening up in Detroit. The place did not last 5 years and they had to close up the store due to theft and high crime.

Where to go? Livonia of course. That's where all the shopping is and it's very convenient for the inner city folks to shop because it's a straight shot from the hood.

Call it what it is. But you cannot deny the FACTS.

Go to the Meijers on Middlebelt at midnight and try to buy a CD, DVD or related item. Not going to happen. You know why? Because they shut down the electronics section at 9:00 p.m. due to the high amount of theft that occurs over there.

Get in the car and drive about 5 miles to the Novi Meijers and there isn't any added security measures. The electronics section is wide open 24-7.

Now let's talk about Lifetime Fitness. The gym is open 24 hours a day but guess what they had to do? They had to shut down the basketball courts (the entire gym!) at 10 p.m. because of the fighting and problems that occur in that section of the gym.

I can keep going on and on but it will be just repetitive of what I already typed.

Livonia WAS nice city (and still is for the most part) but give it another 5-10 years and it will be just like Inkster, Wasteland. Part of the problem is the economy. Affordable housing is now available for all.

My suggestion to anyone looking to move on this side of town is to AVOID Livonia, Canton, Wasteland, Inkster (Stinkster), Redford and get out to the areas like Northville, Plymouth, South Lyon, Brighton, Commerence Township. Why? Because there isn't any MASS shopping targets in those cities. Just the necessities but nothing to really 'attract' the bad seeds that will ruin Livonia.

[cardwellave]

Everyone's gotta make a big deal out of everything. Sure the Plymouth corridor especially near Middlebelt has a lot of Detroiters coming in, but it's been like that FOREVER. Why do you think Wonderland failed? Livonia along with Westland and Garden City are quite livable, you just need to have an ounce of tolerance.

[Sunvixen]

Originally Posted by spatino96

Hello,

My wife and I are planning to move from Dallas to Detroit by mid July 2008. I have a job offer from Ford Motor Company and that is why we are moving to Detroit. A month ago, I had the opportunity to visit Dearborn and some areas around the Detroit Metro Airport. But now I am starting to look for places to rent or buy.

During my visit, I noticed that there are not so many inter-racial couples. In my case my wife is white and I am Hispanic from Mexico. We never experienced any look from people at the mall or any place. I have been reading some threads that there are still racial tensions in the Detroit.
I have been working in very diverse environments in the last six years as a school teacher and I have good impression and respect for all races and cultures. Reading those posting made me wonder if it is really a place to move and raise a family.

Anyway, I just want to know about some areas to live in and any other recommendation for us.

Thank you

Hi, I think when "racial tension" is discussed on the board it usually refers to tension inside or close to Detroit between blacks and whites.

I would find it hard to believe you will feel much, if any, prejudice yourselves.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by productionline

Livonia WAS nice city (and still is for the most part) but give it another 5-10 years and it will be just like Inkster, Wasteland. Part of the problem is the economy. Affordable housing is now available for all.

What on earth are you talking about/? When did Westland become so bad?

[cardwellave]

I consider Livonia and Westland both wonderful large middle class communities with a lot to offer. They should never be put on the level of Inkster.

[djones87]

Consider Grosse Ile and you will be among many other Ford workers. the community is very safe, clean and upscale. Schools among the best in the state. It is an Island suburban community south of Detroit with lots of trees, nature and lake/river views everywhere.

[BurtsBees]

One thing I notice is no one ever includes Macomb County....and Ill pipe in and say that Allen Park is *not* a dump.

[illmatic774]

spatino:

any of the Woodward communities (along Woodward ave) are very welcoming towards interracial couples. Allen Park is certainly no Oakland County but to say it is a dump is snooty elitism talking.

[usroute10]

To the people who read "production line"'s somewhat inaccurate rant -

The K-Mart on 7 Mile and Meyers did indeed close down, at the same time that K-Mart was sinking fast, and was closing down a WHOLE BUNCH OF STORES nationwide!

In addition, soon after that K-Mart closed, a HOME DEPOT store moved into that same location, and has been there ever since.

In addition, K-MART KEPT OPEN their store on TELEGRAPH RD south of 8 Mile IN DETROIT. It is currently a 24-HOUR STORE in the big, bad city.

Also, why doesn't "productionline" just say black people from Detroit instead of "inner city folks". We all know what race of people was talked about.

And if Livonia "is where all the shopping is" and "because it's a straight shot from the hood", then have blacks from Detroit taken over the Livonia and Laurel Park malls?

[averysmommy]

Originally Posted by spatino96

How is the regular guy over there?
Are they friendly? or Is it hard to make friends?

The average person totally depends on the area. I think because of the some of the crime rates, the "down river" areas are a little less openly friendly. Also, the some parts of Oakland county (Troy, Rochester, Rochester Hills) have a tendency to be a little less friendly and elitist. While they have great school systems, there is not much diversity in those areas. The most common minority is african american and unfortunately there is a very low tolerance across the racial lines and a high percentage of racism and segregation in some areas. There are not too many hispanics up here.
I have lived in Michigan my whole life and I am getting out soon because of the economy (I also don't care for the snow). Oddly enough, we are looking at Texas.
Two things you have to remember about Michigan. One, unless you are being given amazing job security, this is not somewhere you want to move to if you can help it. There are hundreds of applicants just for one job and the competition is fierce. The unemployment rates are sky high and the government is cutting back on the help they give. Second, even though so many people are unemployed and falling below poverty line, housing costs are at a low, but it's still higher than Texas. A house in texas that costs around 150-200 thousand is more like 300+ thousand here. I live in Macomb County, which is a little less expensive than some other areas and I pay 820/month for a 950 square foot 2 bedroom 1.5 bathroom townhouse. I believe this price to be about average for the North Detroit area. The three bedroom townhomes are around 1000/month. From what I have noticed, you can get a nice 3 bedroom house with a decent sized yard and a basement for a similar price range.
Sorry this was lengthy. Just thought you should know what you're getting into coming to Michigan. I don't hate the state by any means, but it's just not doing so well these days. Good luck!