Downtown/Wayne State area safe?

[Slappy san]

Originally Posted by ranman469

thanks Slappy san
Member

i did not know that. but where is wall mart? my kids need diapers.
my story is from last winter. 07

There isn't a Walmart in Detroit.

[ericka709]

I attended WSU and lived on campus for 3 years. I never experienced any crime. My secret? Common sense and university resources.

I have studied at the Undergraduate Library (UGL) until 3am and then walked home - with a WSU Public Safety escort.

I walked to work everyday and home from night classes - even during the winter months when it gets dark around 5pm. I walked down major streets (i.e. Woodward, Cass, Warren) that were populated and well lit. Therefore, I never had a problem.

I also never carried a purse (kept everything in my book bag) and then carried it on my back so my hands were free. I walked with my head up and looked everyone straight in the eye, and again, never had a problem.

Lastly, I religiously read the Campus Watch. A monthly newsletter compiled by WSU's Public Safety/Police Department that lists the on-campus crimes for the previous month. Police Department For example, here are the stats from September 2007:

September 2007 Crime Statistics
September 2007; Year to Date
Homicide 0 0
Forcible Sex Offense 3 5
Non Forcible Sex Offense 0 0
Robbery 1 16
Aggravated Assault 1 7
Burglary 3 43
Larceny 13 218
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 55
Arson 0 2

You'll notice that larceny is the number one crime EVERY MONTH. How does the university define larceny? Basically, personal property that is stolen because it was left unattended. Who's the doofus who does that?

Re: location, the closer to the campus you are, the nicer the apartments tend to be. The area is also being developed but I'd be cautious of purchasing a home in an area that you know you'll be living in for only a few years. Chances are, the job opportunities will not be in Detroit proper so you may want to have the option to move after college.

Finally (sorry for the long post), I think the WSU area is best for younger students or for people of any age who are really into cultural/museum life. As much as I loved WSU and the convenience of campus living, I ran back to the 'burbs as soon as I graduated.

[BadBenski]

The reasons the area just North and South of East Ferry (a block North of Kirby, which is the North side of the DIA at Woodward), from Woodward to I-75, is a best kept secret has to do with the very thing that makes it safe, even to walk at night; It's tucked away behind the DIA and there are no other neighborhoods butted up against it. Therefore, the only foot traffic in the area are people who live there, and though not prohibitively expensive, it isn't particularly cheap.

To the North of East Ferry are mostly all newer condos and renovated older buildings, stretching up several blocks to I-94. 3 blocks (Kirby, Frederick, Farnsworth) to the South is Warren
Ave. and the Med Center beyond. East is Woodward Avenue, just above DIA and to the West is I-75, which has a bridge at East Ferry. It's from the East you might expect trouble but it doesn't materialize because there's nothing there but industy and the DOT Terminal. I lived in the Eastern most block of East Ferry for several months and I've yet to see anyone walking over that bridge, or passing through from any direction because there's nowhere to go and nowhere to come from, unless you live there.

Now, this is a great mix of renovated older buildings and new townhouse-type dwellings, situated near the exclusive Golightly and University Prep school. The kids are elementary school age and mostly all picked up by parents. I'm right across from Golightly and the comings and goings of the kids hardly makes a ripple, beyond 15 minutes of slightly snarled traffic twice a day, which doesn't effect us 'cuz everyone parks in the back.

If I were going to situate an older family member in the WSU area it would be here. I am 59 years old and I walk through the area at all times of the day and night. Even though I'm 6' tall, 260 pounds with long hair and beard, looking like a large old Hell's Angel, I couldn't really afford to tussle with any youngsters for very long, I just don't look like an easy mark. None of that has ever had to come into play, I'm just explaining why I don't fear to stroll to CVS to pick up my Wife's meds at 3 a.m. on a Saturday night. From what I've seen these past few months, there's nobody out there but a few other night owl neighbors, usually parking or driving off and the only foot traffic to be seen usually turns up into a dwelling very quickly. I think it's very safe and I used to live in Highland Park so you can believe me when I say I know dangerous!

Julio Bateau, the fellow who's company developed most of East Ferry, is also a landlord for a lot of the property over here. This guy is so proprietary that he can be seen setting out the trash cans or shoveling the snow at various buildings, and you know he's a millionaire and doesn't have to do it. Contact him at 313 874-3545. We have a 3 bdrm renovated place with a large kitchen/dinning area with appliances, front and rear access (parking), forced air heat and A/C which goes for $800. One of our boys was going to rent a nice large 1 bdrm place around on Kirby and Beaubien for under $600 but that landlord tried to bait and switch him so he moved to Royal Oak. Check the area out.

Coming from the North on Woodward, hang a left just before The Park Shelton (just after the light at Palmer) or down I-75, exit at Warren and take the inside turnaround to be on the Eastern service drive heading back North, drive to the end (ignore the two onramps) and make a Left back across the fwy onto Ferry.

Coming off I-94 exit at Woodward from the West, it actually goes onto John R. St. just North of DIA, and make a right and this area is to your left along the next few streets, from East I-94 exit right after the I-75 interchange which is also marked Woodward (I think) but comes up at Beaubien St., where you'd make an immediate Left going South crossing over I-94 directly into the area of some of the newer townhouses.

From the South exit at Warren, go across it and follow the service drive North till it stops, turn Left, over I-75 onto East Ferry.

If you're coming Lodge, switch to I-94, exit immediately at Woodward which will put you onto John R. St. above the DIA, turn Right, neighborhood to your Left.

Come take a look, I dare ya!

bB

[PAMD]

Join Date: Feb 2008
1 posts, read 0 times
Reputation: 10




HI;
I am a senior medical student in PA. I will start my residency in mid June in Down Detroit. I have some questions, i would really appreciate if some can help me with:
1) I will be working long and stressful hours. I value decent and quiet neighborhood. is there any place in Detroit that is close to Ford Hospital that has that. I have NO tolerance for any loud music or social gathering afte 9 pm. are big expensivebuildings really safe and peaceful?( nice neighbors are sometimes not fun to have as neighbors). Online is full of polarized opnion and does not help anyone.
2) I am an avid walker and not big on driving, but i have read about Royal Oak, how far is that from Ford Hospital lets say at 5:00 Am in the morning. and how bad is traffic around 6-7 pm? and can I find an apartment in a family house or smaller building in the that area that is closer to downtown Detroit?

[BadBenski]

Originally Posted by PAMD

Join Date: Feb 2008
1 posts, read 0 times
Reputation: 10




HI;
I am a senior medical student in PA. I will start my residency in mid June in Down Detroit. I have some questions, i would really appreciate if some can help me with:
1) I will be working long and stressful hours. I value decent and quiet neighborhood. is there any place in Detroit that is close to Ford Hospital that has that. I have NO tolerance for any loud music or social gathering afte 9 pm. are big expensivebuildings really safe and peaceful?( nice neighbors are sometimes not fun to have as neighbors). Online is full of polarized opnion and does not help anyone.
2) I am an avid walker and not big on driving, but i have read about Royal Oak, how far is that from Ford Hospital lets say at 5:00 Am in the morning. and how bad is traffic around 6-7 pm? and can I find an apartment in a family house or smaller building in the that area that is closer to downtown Detroit?

If you'll read my post just above your's you'll find an area that's about 10 minutes by city streets and 4 to 5 minutes via a quick freeway trip through two nearby interchanges. That'd be door to door times, very close.

However, I just so happen to have driven near an area about 1/4 to 1/2 mile South of Ford Hospital (where I was born, by the way) where my Wife and I spotted two relatively new Loft complexes. This would be along Trumbull Ave., immediately South and adjacent to the railroad overpass. One is called The Research Lofts and we'd have checked them out but we missed the open house hours by a bit. The other appeared to be a converted office or industrial building, very nice. You could walk to Ford Hospital from there in maybe 10 minutes. It wold be safe to walk through that area at 5 a.m., if the thieves and nuckleheads were ambitious enough to be up at 5 a.m. they wouldn't be what they are. But, I wouldn't walk there in prime time, not yet. Immediately South of this is a large apartment complex, a freeway (I-94) and the WSU Matthai Rec Center. Across the street, other side of Trumbull is a Detroit Police facility (used to be SWAT HQ I think). The area is still being developed, if that's a problem, but it looks like they've got big plans for it. You might look around that area further, I think there are some other lofts even closer. No need to drive to Henry Ford Hospital from this are, some Ford Employees park in lots that far away.

Royal Oak is very nice, but too far away for your purposes. I'd estimate you'd have at least a half hour commute from there, maybe less at 5 a.m., but it's also feasible to drive Woodward Avenue all the way to or from Royal Oak if you chose to do so. 1/2 hour to 45 mins. for that.

Follow the trend, people are no longer shying away from the City, a little urban awareness and savvy will keep you safe and spots like these will not only eliminate your commute but will put you close to the cultural center, University and University Health Center, not to mention downtown (where the stadiums are). There are also some nice buildings adjacent to Henry Ford in other directions but the neighborhoods may not be as safe and quiet as you requre.

bB

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by PAMD

Join Date: Feb 2008
1 posts, read 0 times
Reputation: 10




HI;
I am a senior medical student in PA. I will start my residency in mid June in Down Detroit. I have some questions, i would really appreciate if some can help me with:
1) I will be working long and stressful hours. I value decent and quiet neighborhood. is there any place in Detroit that is close to Ford Hospital that has that. I have NO tolerance for any loud music or social gathering afte 9 pm. are big expensivebuildings really safe and peaceful?( nice neighbors are sometimes not fun to have as neighbors). Online is full of polarized opnion and does not help anyone.
2) I am an avid walker and not big on driving, but i have read about Royal Oak, how far is that from Ford Hospital lets say at 5:00 Am in the morning. and how bad is traffic around 6-7 pm? and can I find an apartment in a family house or smaller building in the that area that is closer to downtown Detroit?

There are converted lofts and whatnot near Ford Hospital - all within 5 minutes drive and many with dedicated parking. Check out Woodward Ave. between I-94 and Mack. There is an upscale apartment with covered parking called Studio One Apartments that is recommended by Wayne State and the DMC. Finding a walkable commute is iffy, but ask at the hospital. I would think 99.99% people drive. Unfortunately, that area of Detroit is carved into discrete areas by criss-crossing highways making walking a bit unpleasant. One genuinely walkable option might be the former hotel next to the Fisher Building. I believe they are condos now, but have no idea about their quality.

I wouldn't venture too far off of Woodward as it has the amenities and is fairly safe. If you want to drive a bit further, there are options downtown.

If you want more day-to-day amenities than Midtown offers, RO is a great option but that puts your commute up to 20 minutes - might be a drag with your long hours. I did the commute from north RO to Wayne State in 20 minutes door to parking deck driving 70 on I-75 (Woodward south to I-696 east to I-75 south). I could do it in 15 minutes if pressed. This was from 9-10am and 4-5pm. I'm sure you would have no problems at 5am and 7pm. This should hold true for where ever you live in RO. If you live in north RO, you will be very close to Woodward. If you live in central RO, you are further south and closer to Detroit even if you are a bit further from Woodward. In fact, you might actually be quite close to I-75 avoiding Woodward and I-696 altogether.

Good luck.

[Bhaalspawn]

Why doesn't he want to live out in the suburbs where safety is much less of a concern and where you can find abundant shopping and grocery store options?

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

Why doesn't he want to live out in the suburbs where safety is much less of a concern and where you can find abundant shopping and grocery store options?

Well, that's up to him. If he will basically live at the hospital working crazy hours as a med student, even a 20 minute commute might be too much.

[PAMD]

Thank you for responding to my message. The reason I would like to live very close is the extreme and stressful long hours I would be working as a surgical resident. I am in contact with Ford Hospital but they do not seem to accomadate all the applicants. I will keep looking around until I find that peaceful place, ;-). I am sure it would be a cultural change for me but looking forward to have a decent time in Detroit.
Thank you again to all of u and God bless