Moving Back to Detroit after 29 years. HELP!! (Ann Arbor, Dearborn: lofts, condo)

[Chilazer]

I'm moving back to the Detroit area (Dearborn Heights / Joy & Telegraph) after living in Chicago for 29 years, and London for 4 years before that. (I remember Detroit from my youth as semi-vibrant place, before it all went to hell) I wouldn't be doing this is it weren't for the fact that I have to go back to take care of my elderly Mother. I'm now a "naturalized" Chicagoan and I truly love the Chicago lifestyle! It's a "world-class" city!! I'm gay, and it's just not an issue here at all. Neither is race. But I'm sure it IS in Detroit.

While I fully understand that Detroit is much worse than when I left in 1979, I guess what I'm looking for on this board is a compatriot or two (gay or straight) who could help ease me back into living in the area. It's going to be MAJOR culture shock for me. And to be quite honest I'm feeling a bit panicked.

I've recently read that even major grocery store chains have moved out of the city, due to shoplifting. So I'll need some input there... And with any other suggestions of how to live in the area without feeling like I'm living in a Beirut war zone... or deprived of a semi-decent lifestyle. I went to high-school in the Dearborn school system, so you have an idea of my background.

Feel free to use my email-address for replies. (Chilazer@Ameritech.net) cause I'm not sure I'll be able to check back here real often.

Thanks, Kevin

[sugarbeet]

Dearborn Heights and Detroit are not the same by nearly every measure. And even the vast majority of Detroit is nothing like a war zone. If you move back with this attitude you are only going to make yourself miserable. There's still a lot great things happening and, while it's not Chicago, it's more like Chicago than Beirut.

[OhEdo]

Originally Posted by sugarbeet

Dearborn Heights and Detroit are not the same by nearly every measure. And even the vast majority of Detroit is nothing like a war zone. If you move back with this attitude you are only going to make yourself miserable. There's still a lot great things happening and, while it's not Chicago, it's more like Chicago than Beirut.

That's a pretty good summation.
Detroit is no Chicago and our equivalent of the South Side spans a wider percentage of the city's area, but it certainly ain't hell either. And cost of living is lower as a result. Chilazer, you are right in that there are not a whole lot of supermarkets within the city, but there are a few good ones such as Harbortown Market on East Jefferson and Honey Bee Market in Mexicantown, and don't forget Eastern Market.
I live in downtown Detroit and truly enjoy it. While I am not gay, my understanding is that Ferndale followed by Royal Oak are the most GLBT-friendly communities in the area. I also think the nicer areas of Detroit - downtown, corktown, midtown, Woodbridge, Mexicantown, Indian Village, Boston-Edison - are pretty good in that regard as well; the gentrification cycle in Detroit is still at too early of a stage for many conservative people to be moving in (with the possible exception of religious mission types here to help in the community, but even if they don't condone same-sex relationships they won't harass you for it either). Just remember to stay away from Joe Louis after hockey games! But seriously, most of the people I know in the city have gay neighbors so it can't be too bad. You mentioned race as well; generally speaking, the gay-friendly places are also very accepting of various colors and ethnicities. I don't know much about Dearborn, but it has a huge Middle Eastern community and they are quite accepting of racial diversity as well.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by Chilazer

I'm moving back to the Detroit area (Dearborn Heights / Joy & Telegraph) after living in Chicago for 29 years, and London for 4 years before that. (I remember Detroit from my youth as semi-vibrant place, before it all went to hell) I wouldn't be doing this is it weren't for the fact that I have to go back to take care of my elderly Mother. I'm now a "naturalized" Chicagoan and I truly love the Chicago lifestyle! It's a "world-class" city!! I'm gay, and it's just not an issue here at all. Neither is race. But I'm sure it IS in Detroit.

While I fully understand that Detroit is much worse than when I left in 1979, I guess what I'm looking for on this board is a compatriot or two (gay or straight) who could help ease me back into living in the area. It's going to be MAJOR culture shock for me. And to be quite honest I'm feeling a bit panicked.

I've recently read that even major grocery store chains have moved out of the city, due to shoplifting. So I'll need some input there... And with any other suggestions of how to live in the area without feeling like I'm living in a Beirut war zone... or deprived of a semi-decent lifestyle. I went to high-school in the Dearborn school system, so you have an idea of my background.

Feel free to use my email-address for replies. (Chilazer@Ameritech.net) cause I'm not sure I'll be able to check back here real often.

Thanks, Kevin

What part of Chicago are you from? My experiences is that the gentrified fast paced, young professional areas around the downtown and on the north side along the lake are very tolerant, progressive, etc. and are a world unto themselves. The bad areas on the south and west side, the blue collared areas on the far NW and SW sides, and all the suburbs to varying degrees remind me of parts of metro Detroit. In my opinion at least.

Much of Chicagoland is still somewhat segregated compared to many other major metro. areas (thats changing, but you could say that about just about a lot places).

To me the aforementioned progressive, exciting, gentrified areas of Chicago are almost as different from the bad or blue-collared areas if Chicago as Detroit is from Ann Arbor or Windsor.

[Bluefly]

I think you're a little hyped on the media caricature held over from the 80s and 90s. While where you're moving to is not Detroit itself, I think you might be pleasantly surprised. Downtown has surged back to life thanks to an influx of young professionals moving back into the city living in big lofts. There's an incredibly vibrant club scene downtown - New York Times described it as "an outpost of hip". I've been to great, massive parties tucked into abandoned warehouse districts.

Anyway - you said you've been away 29 years so are probably past that scene. But, know that it is there and rising. You might be really comfortable in Ferndale / Royal Oak / Birmingham. When you left, downtown Royal Oak was probably more populated with homeless people than anyone else. Now it's a vibrant neighborhood (well, would be a neighborhood in any normal city not divided into 200 municipalities) where professionals go to party and eat good food. Ferndale's a hotbed of homosexual openness and great nightlife. Downtown has the DIA film institute, a number of great art galleries, the new Museum of Contemporary Art (which is a raw space that captures the funkiness and vibe of Detroit very well).

But, you'll see what you want to see. If you're looking for everything you described, you'll find it. If you're looking for a vibrant, progressive, urban lifestyle, you'll find it. You just have to search a little harder in Detroit than you would Chicago.

[jonjj]

At one time, Royal Oak was populated with homeless people??? I did not know that.

[S6Sputnik]

Detroit MSA is awesome area. Royal Oak is the social center and Troy the Business center. Ferndale is more gay than other areas, but don't be afraid!

In spite of all the bad press Detroit still rocks!

[Slappy san]

You are spouting about things about Detroit. You aren't even moving to Detroit. So why are you worried? Dearborn Heights has not been abandoned by big retailers/grocers like Detroit.





**I hope this enough no to get deleted yet again.**

[Chilazer]

Thanks for all the responses so far! I apologize if I layed it on a bit thick in my earlier statements. I don't mean to "attack" anyones home/city. I guess I'm simply trying to prepare myself for what will be a bit of major culture shock. I clearly remember from my past, that one has to actively search for the finer things in life in Detroit, rather than having them simply handed to you as in Chicago. (For those of you that aren't familiar with Chicago, the city is a collection of vibrant self-contained neighborhoods where you have a wealth of everything within easy walking distance or a quick bus or sub-way trip. ...Very much like New York.)
I guess I'm going to have to re-learn how to drive a car after not owning one in 29 years.
I'll stay tuned for all your responses and input.

[detshen]

There is a new LBGT center in the heart of Ferndale. Ferndale is a very gay friendly neighborhood and has a small walkable downtown., but Detroit is not backwards hick town by any means. You could live just about anywhere in the metro area and be well accepted. I have many gay friends and they live all over even a young couple I know live in Westland which is sort of on the lower end of middle class, it's not real progressive. I know a couple of guys who live in Detroit in the corktown area. There are quite a few gay bars if you like going out and I'm sure the center could give you info on other types of social groups. I'll send you an e-mail with the link. I don't think you will be miserable here at all.