A little Nervous now.. (Detroit, Sterling Heights: relocate, income, job)

[firecracker123]

My family (3 kids ages 2-12) is moving to the Detroit area this Spring/Summer from Toronto, Canada....My husband is being promoted/relocated. I was pretty excited at first as this is an awesome opportunity for him (automotive) and for us (cost of living, taxes, house prices)...but now after reading threads, I am a little anxious...I am used to going downtown TO with little worry, but it seems as this isn't a thing most people do there?

BTW --- we are looking to settle in Bloomfield, Troy, Brimingham or even Sterling Heights...

Please, does someone have any GOOD things to say about the area!

[downthathighway]

...Those still in Detroit and new to Detroit will have a great deal to post in this thread that should re-assure you!
...Proximity to recreation and cultural opportunities makes Detroit desirable!
...You have chosen some family friendly suburbs for housing.
...AND since your husband has a good job you will have a rare opportunity- it is indeed a buyers or renters market now, you will be 'holding the cards' and should be able to find a great deal.
...Downtown Detroit and Cultural center area is safe during the day and popular events, You will find many events and places to see in these areas, a 'must-see'. But downtown Detroit is close to deserted at night. Unlike Chicago or Toronto, even Windsor.
... I'm sorry if I alarmed you in any of my posts on other threads. I do advise anyone moving to a new area to look real close at negatives as well as positives. It's quite easy to get 'Chamber Commerce' type literature about the positives, isn't it?
...BTW- Those of us who grew up in Detroit may have taken 'what we had here' for granted. Most of us enjoyed taking occasional weekend trips to Toronto, an easy drive from Detroit. Among the plusses for Detroit is being close to Windsor and Toronto for diversity!

[Cato the Elder]

As mentioned, you will have to change some aspects of your lifestyle coming from Toronto, but there are many other upsides about living here. You are probably already aware of the health care issues in the entire country. If you don't have health care, you're pretty much screwed, but for those with money needing high-end procedures, you can find it here more easily. Generally, the differences in health care also reflect differences in mentalities between the two countries. There is a divide between "haves" and "have nots" and it's only more obvious in metro Detroit.

Regardless, the areas you mentioned are quite nice in providing a high quality of life. You won't have a vibrant, healthy downtown here, but you do have "satellite" downtowns in places like Birmingham and Royal Oak. The local mall is also top notch and a bit more attractive than that warehouse-ish steel-and-glass mall you have in the city whose name slips my mind. You'll miss Chinatown if that is a part of your life, but Middle Eastern and Mexican food do help fill that void.

Overall, I think the key will be to less fixated on what made life so great in Toronto and focus on the different things here that make life great. Good luck.

[firecracker123]

Thanks! Great points!

[Coldjensens]

What we found moving from Orange County Ca is that life here is generally more pleasant and slightly slower paced. California was more fun, but crazy and frustrating.

[berrymist27]

I want to start off by saying its normal to be nervous, your moving to a new city that you don't know much about but, by its reputation that can be misleading at times. I hope that all the negative posts that you read doesn't influence your decision as to where to live and raise your family. I have to give you a liitle history as to why the neagtive posts. First, the majority lives in the burbs and doesn't like to venture out into a city that has alot of minorities. Second, there here for sporting events or concerts and leaves right after. Now you can't truly know the richness of a city if you don't explore it. Third there's this US VS. THEM mentality which is unfortunate because this city has so much to offer if you just take the time to see for yourself. I read that you have children between the age 2-12. I know that you read that you you can't raise a family in Detroit is simply not true. We have some many festivals and events that your family will enjoy all year long. My favorite is the Detroit Winter Blast that will start Feb.8 at Campus Martius Skating Rink. We have some great schools, Friends Schools of Detroit and Emerson Elementary. Also Detroit top high Schools were named in the New York Times for top schools in the country which was Renaissance, Cass Tech Communications & Media Arts, Davis Aerospace, And Fine Performing Arts. I would also suggest living at either INDIAN VILLAGES OR EAST ENGLISH VILLAGES these homes would rival any home in Birmingham. The homes there are truly destinctive and architectural designs have very intricate details in one of the most HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOODS where you would feel right at home. I hope I helped in any way that I can, and I can give you more info about our city like MIDTOWN I can write a whole page about that Cultural District on the rise. WELCOME TO OUR CITY YOUR A DETROITER NOW!

Originally Posted by firecracker123

My family (3 kids ages 2-12) is moving to the Detroit area this Spring/Summer from Toronto, Canada....My husband is being promoted/relocated. I was pretty excited at first as this is an awesome opportunity for him (automotive) and for us (cost of living, taxes, house prices)...but now after reading threads, I am a little anxious...I am used to going downtown TO with little worry, but it seems as this isn't a thing most people do there?

Originally Posted by firecracker123

BTW --- we are looking to settle in Bloomfield, Troy, Brimingham or even Sterling Heights...

Please, does someone have any GOOD things to say about the area!

[SuziSu]

Oh for goodness sakes! Please don't let these people scare you! Detroit is fine to go hang out in. You just have to know not to venture out into the neighborhoods. Downtown has some GREAT things to offer. Right by Comerica park is a great place to walk around during the day. You also have the Fox theater right next door for some night time entertainment. The places you were looking into moving to are awesome places to live. Birmingham and Bloomfield are beautiful as well as RITZY! You'll love it there. The people are great, the places are nice. I lived in Rochester Hills (another great place to look into) for 17 years. I grew up there! I only moved away for school reasons. It's a wonderful place to grow up. Sure the economy isn't that great but you'll still find much happiness in Mighigan/detroit suburbia. I'm sure there are plenty of poeple who will disagree with me and a lot that will agree. You'll see! You will love it! The great thing about Michiganders is that most of them have lived there all their lives and do not plan to leave. They plan to start their families there. I love it there and it will always be my home.

[firecracker123]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

I grew up in I guess what you can call the Toronto "projects" or "housing" and busted my behind to get my eduacation and provide a better life for my children (I am positive that our lower income areas are not near as "ghetto" as those in America, just trying to point out that I can relate somewhat)...race is not an issues, as I am of mixed background and we LOVE exposing our children to as many different cultures, lanugages, religions and ethnicities as we feel it is essential if they expect to succeed in a world shirnking So THAT isn't the issue either. As far as moving there, we have no choice, when you are in the auto industry and as high up as my husband is (not bragging, just stating lol) Deroit is the center of the world. When you have certain goals and those chances come up .... you have to take them.

At the end of the day I am very excited for him professionally and for us, as the cost of living is much lower there, the taxes (save property) are lower and the homes bigger with more land....schools are good (other than the fact my kids are in French Immersion currently) and athletics awesome (we are huge fitness fanatics so parks, trails, paths are important to us) ... the areas we are looking are comparable to what we have and the closeness to Toronto ideal.....the only thing is obviously personally. Missing family will be tough. I am also a national level pro fitness competitor and personal trainer, so I have a pretty good business going here, but am positive that once the red tape is clear and I feel settled I can pick that back up - it is a transferable career defintely

BUT THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH...I am looking forward to visiting and getting the nerves out....I do appreciate the info all have so graciously provided.

[SuziSu]

Enjoy the beautiful trails in Mi!!! They are amazing and plentiful. I truly miss them while living in Fl.

[Coldjensens]

If you are a fitness/outdoor buff, visit Kensington Metropark near Milford. It is a bit of a drive, but you will love it.