What's Good About Metro Detroit? (Royal Oak, Beverly Hills: real estate, foreclosed, lofts)

[docmts2]

I plan on moving to the area soon and in do so, I've been reading the treads for this area. Sadly, I've seen far more negative than positive things written about this town. So please let a newcomer hear some positives. How about the whole metro area? So the city sucks. Stats say there's 4+million people in the metro area. Surely there's something good about the larger community.

[downthathighway]

..Good Luck in your move to Detroit area.
..You'll probably 'hear' plenty of 'Chamber Commerce' posts about 'what's good', If I were you I would also read very closely the 'negative' posts. Not all true of course, but you should 'keep your eyes open' no matter where you're thinking of moving.
..Another forum I have 'lurked' is tilted almost 100% positive to Detroit. Any negative experiences posted gets 'attacked' The word 'Yes" after the city name for the forum is almost self-explanatory there.
..IMHO avoid living in Detroit city limits (Crime, justice system,taxes,poor services,etc)
..I left due to hard economic times in 70's, more than 1/2 my classmates ended up in Texas. Returned in 80's, then the economy turned again in late 90's. Stayed until I lost my business(restaurant), job,house and car, doubt I would return again.

[jeffncandace]

I just moved to the Detroit area in July of 2006 from southern Calfornia. We lived in Clarkston and now live in Royal Oak, about 4 miles north of Detroit city limits.

We love it here. We find that despite a plethora of problems in the area and state, we find it to be head and shoulders above Cali, despite those problems. Jobs ARE to be found, my wife works in the staffing industry and is SHOCKED by how many people moan about no jobs but refuse the ones she has. And no, they are NOT crappy minimum wage jobs either! Some people see a glass half empty, and some half full. It is what you make it.

Health care here? Beyond belief how much better it is than California.

Schools? HA! No comparison there either.

Beauty? I don't think anyone can deny Michigan is a georgeous place to live.

Weather? We thought we would freeze our butts off, and it is definately a change from Cali! But we found that we absolutely love the change of seasons. We are entranced by the autumn colors, the breathtaking snow, the mild summers...

Where we live now in RO is awesome. Tree lined streets, sidewalks, walkable downtowns...all to be found in our town and the surrounding ones, which are literally within minutes. Lots to see and do...and yes, we DO venture down to Detroit for dinner or entertainment...stay in the right areas and it's great!

There is negative and positive to be found everywhere. Michigan is in a bad way right now in many ways, and there is no denying that sad fact.

Things change. New blood often reinvigorates, doesn't it? Michigan has lost more people than it has gained recently...but some people ARE coming here still, as you and I are proof of. Good luck and welcome to Michigan!

[Cato the Elder]

I think the entire website in general is frequented by malcontents so negativity abounds. Read some of the other state forums. Places like AZ and CA go on and on about immigration issues, medical care, getting overrun by snowbirds, oppressive heat, crime, etc.

I've been all over the country and my impression is that positives and negatives generally add up to be the same in the end no matter where you go. If positives drastically outweigh the negatives, it won't stay that way for long as people will start flooding the area bringing negatives with them! Ultimately, it's about picking your pluses and poisons. If illegals drive you crazy, don't move to AZ. If you hate snow, don't move to Minnesota. Etc., etc., etc.

[downthathighway]

...jeffncandace, I cannot speak from any experience about California vs. Detroit.
...I very reluctantly left Detroit area and family behind after losing my business,house,car, and job. Due to family ties, that was not an easy decision either. 12 years I stayed with same employer, their revenue has decreased significantly the last 7-8 years as everyone else's in their industry around Detroit.
...Back to visit Christmas holidays, I picked up a Sunday Free Press. There were very few columns of help wanted ads vs. sections of real estate ads. Look at any other major metro paper and you'll see far more help wanted ads.
...My ONLY negative points about Michigan are economic issues and lack of current opportunities, though. I'll miss the lakes, 'up north', scenery, culture, and family.
...When my life hit its lowest and I faced homelessness, I took a chance, posted my resume' to an online job search, "will relocate if needed" and I was hired the next day to relocate to a southern state.
...It's easy to think "I have a job, why don't you?" or "I have a nice home and bank account..." But there are many of us who have been just 'one paycheck' away from bankruptcy and/or being homeless. My brother lives in a wealthy Detroit suburb. Several vacant foreclosed houses on his block.
...Any actions to improve the economy around Detroit should be applauded. But it won't happen fast ! For the record, I NEVER turned down a job ! But lacking the credit to go back to school and change occupations, I found it better to relocate.
...I leave it to 'new blood' to list all the positives about Metro Detroit, this can be a looong and interesting list ! ...And once again, I caution anyone considering a move anywhere to get positive and negative views then make their best choice for their situation.
...I do wish you could have seen how prosperous Detroit area was during the last 'boom years' mid 80's- early 90's. Not sure if I could/would attempt moving back for a 3rd time, unless there was alot more diversity in industry there.

[dmetro]

Originally Posted by docmts2

I plan on moving to the area soon and in do so, I've been reading the treads for this area. Sadly, I've seen far more negative than positive things written about this town. So please let a newcomer hear some positives. How about the whole metro area? So the city sucks. Stats say there's 4+million people in the metro area. Surely there's something good about the larger community.

Lots of things:

Beauty- We have an abundance of lakes, ponds, rivers, forests and meadows in the Detroit suburbs.

Low cost of living- Housing prices are at record lows right now. Gas is also very reasonable here compared to many other parts of the country.

Health care- Medical care is excellent here, and most hospitals are either new or newly rennovated.

Safety- Yes, the city of Detroit is dangerous, but many of the suburbs are among the safest in the nation.

Education- Many schools in metro Detroit are locally and nationally recognized for their high test scores and extracurricular programs.

As you can see, although we may be going through some tough times right now, Michigan is still a wonderful place to live.

[TheProf]

Lots of good:

-- a great cultural base. This is still the home of Motown, after all, although the label moved to LA decades ago -- but the Motown aura; and pride, continue... Also, look at all the theaters, opera houses and the like.

-- Great old neighborhoods. Sure, there is horrific decay and open fields of desolation in parts of Detroit, but there are also many, many solid middle class, upper middle and even wealthy homes. Just travel to Indian Village or Boston Edison or Palmer Woods, to name a few, and you'll see. And the grand architecture in those old hoods will astound.

-- Downtown's coming back. I'm steadily impressed with what's going on along the Woodward Corridor, like Campus Martius, the Grand Circus lofts and the retail and restaurants that are popping up. That the sports stadiums are pumping in life is old news. Now, the residential base is steadily growing, of all races and ethnicities, esp among young folks, ... and some empty-nesters, too... And that's great to see.

-- Casinos. Frankly, I hated the idea of Detroit hooking it's salvation on casinos -- no religious thing, I just think there's such a negativity to them like drugs, prostitution and, of course, the depression and desperation created by gambling addicts who lose it all... Happily, the downside has been minimal and downtown Detroit has been packing them in w/ bus trips from all over the Midwest ... and the country. It seems to be boosting the economy even though, as a rule, casinos are very insular and don't really let its patrons explore their environs... The small Greektown casino, in the center of that already great neighborhood, is my personal fave... But the spanking new $800M MGM Grand makes your jaw drop.

-- Top dog in the State. Yes, even though there's a lot of carping against Detroit -- even from those in its burbs-- it's still the biggest, baddest kid on the block. Unlike my native Cleveland, where we have to battle Cincinnati and Columbus for pride and money and there's a huge schism in the state amongst those 3, Michigan identifies with Detroit, and vice versa.

-- Spirit. One of the things I've always wished I could capture in a bottle and ship to my hometown of Cleveland is Detroit's spirit. Despite all the negativity and problems (which we obviously share on the shores of Lake Erie), there's just something intangible that attaches to being a Detroiter. When I see natives of the city or area bump into each other in other cities, you can see it, feel it... It's kinda like when Eddie Murphy wore that Mumford H.S. sweatshirt in "Beverly Hills Cop", generations of Mumford grads from all over the world made their affiliation known. It traverses the sports teams, the auto industry, Motown... people take a great deal of pride in this city.

-- The architecture. Some of the old Beaux Arts and Art Deco (like the Fisher) office buildings is stunning. I can't think of the name of that great old brown Art Deco office tower downtown with the intricate block designs, both on its interior and exterior. I love the Masonic and all those old brownstone apts -- many being rehabbed -- up the Cass Corridor toward WSU... This town is rich in that sense.

-- Royal Oak. Yeah, it's a suburb, but it's great having such a lively amazing urbanized burb so close to Detroit. It's rich diversity and excitement speaks well of this region.

[Coldjensens]

The building that you are thinking of is the Guardian building. Amazing lobby area.

I posted a list somewhere on these boards fo al the things that our family liked about living the the Detroit area and abut living in Orange County California. Much to our surprise, the Michigan list was longer (although the OC list had some very big positives on it, there were not as many). You can go find that if you want to bother.

[patech]

Finally something positive ! And from another state transplant! I tooam going to move into Michigan from Philadelphia for my job. I love the lakes and I'm anxious to experience a new state and new beginning. I've read so many negative post and I know that most cities have their issues. It's just nice to know that someone from a state like CA can see the the forrest for the trees....

[bjohn]

I totally agree with the comments above. There are pluses and minuses to leaving in any area. The suburbs like Royal Oak are great places to live with well kept older homes. People walk the sidewalks, know their neighbors, and enjoy the change of seasons. The economy is taking a hit right now, but I believe things will change. As the saying goes, "Things are neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so."