Potential move to Detriot from India (Detroit, Livonia: relocation, housing, condos)

[Betal]

I'm looking at an employment opportunity in GM, which may need a relocation to Detriot. I'm presently based in Delhi, India.

I have lived/worked in US before, but not in Detriot & hence this forum with it's diverse comments is an interesting window to get a whiff of Detriot

Few themes are recurring across multiple posts abt Detriot - Downturn of auto cos & it's consequent adverse impact on Detriot in terms of employment ; high crime rate ; some grt educational institutions ; racism ;good areas v/s bad areas ; bitter winters.

Not exactly the kind of things, one wants to hear if one is looking to relocate not only to a new city but also to a new country.

That said, I will appreciate if some viewpoints are given on the following

1) I have a small kid (4yrs) & my wife is a homemaker. We are Indians & both of us are Masters/PHds. We have stayed in US (chicago) & Eu before in cosmopolitian environments. In this context, which areas are good for us to stay ? Preferrable which is not very far from GM's office. Good for a family, has good dining options, shopping areas & low crime ( is it asking for the moon ?)

2) What are the approximate rents for 2B+2 Baths condos/apartments in such areas ? Any good housing suggestions ?

3) What are approx living costs ( food, utilities, gas, car lease, etc) / month in Detriot ?

Thanks

[mariatherese]

hi!

well its no secret that detroit isnt the promise land, but that doesnt mean you cant be happy there.

i have only lived here in the suburbs about 2 years now so i can't help you as much as someone who is more familiar with the city. but, i'll try.

i think you may be asking for the moon! sorry!

i personally dont think anywhere in the city is safe for raising a child, unless you can afford to live in one of the view well-to-do gated communites, such as grosse pointe (...woods? ...grosse pointe ___? its something...) or indian village. i've never been to these places, just heard of them. GM headquarters are right downtown.

greektown has a lot of great dining & nightlife options. very walkable. in a unique section of downtown. still not really safe though. but safer.

but honestly, i would recommend royal oak (suburb just to 15 minutes the north). it is a bit expensive but somewhat affordable. it is a really trendy place with lots of shopping, dining, art galleries, but also a safe place. you could also try berkley- right next to it- a bit more affordable and family oriented. very nice area. you will find parks there and its not too far from the zoo for the little one!

detroit does have dining and shopping, but not much. royal oak has a lot more to offer. you would be looking at a commute to GM of about 15-40 minutes depending on traffic.

but again, many people do find it enjoyable living in the city. this is just my opinion.

hope this helps!

[mhogan10010]

Originally Posted by Betal

I'm looking at an employment opportunity in GM, which may need a relocation to Detroit. I'm presently based in Delhi, India.

I have lived/worked in US before, but not in Detroit & hence this forum with it's diverse comments is an interesting window to get a whiff of Detroit

Few themes are recurring across multiple posts albiet Detroit - Downturn of auto cos & it's consequent adverse impact on Detroit in terms of employment ; high crime rate ; some grt educational institutions ; racism ;good areas v/s bad areas ; bitter winters.

Not exactly the kind of things, one wants to hear if one is looking to relocate not only to a new city but also to a new country.

That said, I will appreciate if some viewpoints are given on the following

1) I have a small kid (4yrs) & my wife is a homemaker. We are Indians & both of us are Masters/PHds. We have stayed in US (chicago) & Eu before in cosmopolitian environments. In this context, which areas are good for us to stay ? Preferrable which is not very far from GM's office. Good for a family, has good dining options, shopping areas & low crime ( is it asking for the moon ?)

2) What are the approximate rents for 2B+2 Baths condos/apartments in such areas ? Any good housing suggestions ?

3) What are approx living costs ( food, utilities, gas, car lease, etc) / month in Detriot ?

Thanks

The othere poster gave you some good advice. Kind of the North Of 8 Mile road thing. However, you might want to expand your horizons beyond Royal Oak a bit. That wouldn't be a bad choice at all. Shopping is close as is Beaumont Hospital.
Beverly Hills is pricey but very nice as is Farmington and Farmington Hills (My sister lives in Farmington Hills) and Berkely are very safe and quiet. Many people like Troy.
I grew up in the Western Suburbs. Places like Westland and Livonia are nice. Northville and Plymouth have kind of a small town feel. The commute to Downtown will be tough.
Trenton and Riverview, South of Detroit are nice, but then you are really going far afield.
Good luck.

[Betal]

Thanks to both the posting. It does give an idea.
Any info on the rental & living costs ?

Cheers

[mhogan10010]

You should check out Craigslist.org to compare rent in different areas of Detroit.
Since I haven't lived there I a long time, I am afraid I can't be helpful with things like food and utilities etc.

[mariatherese]

I think it's generally affordable. I spend about $40-50 per week per person for groceries (I buy fresh produce and healthy food... but not organic). My rent is $620/month, heat included, for an older 600 sq ft, 1 bd apartment in the cheaper Clawson area. If I wanted to get someting I really liked, in Royal Oak, I'd probably spend around $1000/month. But thats just a guess. Better check on your own- Craigslist is a great suggestion, its where I found my apartment. Heat is an issue during the winter- expect to pay about $100/month during November-March. car lease- anywhere from $200-500 depending on what you wanted to drive. gas prices are around $2 a gallon right now. I fill up my tank once a week or more with my 30 mile a day commute.

[Betal]

Hey...thanks a lot to both of you. Craiglist is a very useful site.

Cheers

[mhogan10010]

Originally Posted by Betal

Hey...thanks a lot to both of you. Craiglist is a very useful site.

Cheers

Glad to hear it. Another you might try is Backpage.com

[manoswath]

"Preferrable which is not very far from GM's office".
GM's downtown Detroit office?

"Good for a family, has good dining options, shopping areas & low crime ( is it asking for the moon ?)"
Yes you are asking for the moon. If you have to work downtown you should consider the north or northwest side of town and commute.

[galex213]

I don't think you are asking for the Moon. Look up Grosse Pointe Park and/or Grosse Pointe Woods. Very Family friendly, lots of dining options, shopping, low crime, easy commute to downtown Detroit (15-20 minutes) great free water front parks. Large 2 bedroom flats in Grosse Pointe Park rent from $500-$850/ month. These are located in 2 family houses with back yards. I loved living in this neighborhood. Houses in the same neighborhood start at $125,000 to buy. Hope this helps.