Boston Ma to Detroit Mi (Wyandotte, Birmingham: apartments, to rent, low crime)

[inquisitive2]

Considering a move to Detroit MI. Have heard it is up and coming. Would rent initially but eventually buy if I like the area.

What are some of the better places to work (Budget/Finance)? Also, how is the public transportation?

Any pros and cons that aren't well known?

[mgkeith]

Before your question is answered, it may be helpful to say what you are looking for. What kind of environment do you need in order to be comfortable and happy? How much can you spend on rent? Public transportation in Detroit is rather spotty.

[inquisitive2]

Initially looking apartment close to work with parking. Eventually hoping to buy a small ranch home outside the city. Rent -max $1,000. Purchase price of eventual home $125,000. Near grocery stores, shopping, fitness, hospital.

Am single male 53 yrs.

[snoopygirlmi]

Also, do you want to be in Detroit or in one of the suburbs? Or could you go either way?

There are plenty of options for either, but the area is really rich with contrasts, so clarification is a must.

Do you want more of a white collar area? Blue Collar? Does it matter?

Urban living? Rural living? Family area? Or more of the single scene? Is there an ethnic group you want to live around? Or other lifestyle things that are important to you?

[inquisitive2]

In Detroit initially and then one of the suburbs. Mixed White and blue collar area is fine. Grew up in Boston and I now live outside the city - basically because cost is cheaper.

Would like low crime area but from the city and understand safety precautions one must take no matter where you live.

Also, any Bostonians or other "out of staters" who have already moved to Detroit? Any advice you can offer from your experiences?

[usroute10]

Originally Posted by inquisitive2

In Detroit initially and then one of the suburbs. Mixed White and blue collar area is fine. Grew up in Boston and I now live outside the city - basically because cost is cheaper.

Would like low crime area but from the city and understand safety precautions one must take no matter where you live.

Also, any Bostonians or other "out of staters" who have already moved to Detroit? Any advice you can offer from your experiences?

Where will you be working? Then we can recommend some good, safe suburban areas for you. If your work is downtown, and you want to rent in the city first, I would look at Detroit City Apartments, it has parking garage and 1 bedrooms start at $1120 or the Pavilion in Lafayette Park, with 1 bedrooms starting at 1,063.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by inquisitive2

What are some of the better places to work (Budget/Finance)? Also, how is the public transportation?

Quicken Loans?

Wayne County is hiring a whole lot of people right now.

[Coldjensens]

Rather than seeking low crime areas, it is more practical to simply avoid higher crime areas. Most areas are low crime areas.

[inquisitive2]

Thanks to all. Good info.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by inquisitive2

Also, any Bostonians or other "out of staters" who have already moved to Detroit? Any advice you can offer from your experiences?

My wife is from Wayland (just outside of Boston). I will ask her for any additional pointers. Something I can tell you just from experience:


Put the Rs back where they belong. Bostonians lose them on some words and add them to words with no R. By the way, you now speak French and Native American. Study up. Learn Gratiot, Wyandotte, Mackinac and Mackinaw (which are pronounced exactly the same), Gibraltar ends in "Arrrrrrrrrr" not in Ahhh Grosse Ile (Gross EEEL). Hopefully you can already say "Detroit." Don't callit "The D" At least not ntil you lose your accent.

That fizzy stuff in a can or bottle - Pop. Not Tonic. (or tawwwnnnic).

Forget the Patriots, you now cheer for the losingest team in NFL history. But you also get the wings and Tigers to make you feel better. There is a basketball team too, but until they move back downtown, they do not count.

People on the East Coast are not smarter than all other human beings, just put that right out of your worldview.

Eat and love Bumpy cake and Vernors. Oh and you can try Pastys when you go up north (Pahhsties, not Pay stees - those are for strippers and people will laugh at you). Stop at a roadside stall and buy michigan sweet corn. Yes it really is better.

Plan on going to your local high school football games and learnign the names of the players, or in some towns it will be the hockey team. But fall is about football. even if you do not like the game, football is a social thing.

We generally value hard workers. No one give a da*& what car you drive (as long as it is Ford, GM or FCA), what brand of clothing you wear, how fancy your watch or jewelry are or how much you make (unless you live in Birmingham, then all of those things matter). Do you work hard at work, at camping, hiking, raising a good family, and at community service? If so, you are OK.

You will miss the sun. Do not both with happy lights, they are a scam. Just plan a couple of trips to Florida during the winter.

Learn to drive. We have and use lanes; traffic lights and stop signs are not suggestions for if you happen to feel like stopping; people stop when the light turns yellow, do not accelerate expecting the people in front of you to do the same; honking and flipping people off may get you hurt or killed. However, everyone tailgates, sorry, it is really stupid, but just how people drive here. And no, you do not get to stay home form work if it snows,at lest if it is less than two or three feet, learn to drive.

Do not go on and on about how you think this or that in Boston is so much better. Shut up and move back if it was so great, or learn to like what you have.

Join something. Kiwanis, Rotary, Jaycees, KofC, whatever, Give back. Work hard. People will appreciate and respect you.

One thing that is somewhat unique to Michigan I think is people love to help other people. If you need something, make it known. Many people will appreciate the opportunity to help and be useful. If you go to Home Depot, forget the high school kids who work there, just ask the guy walking down the asile purposefully for help or advice.

People do not tend to move around as much as on the coasts. They stick together for decades and often generations. It can be hard to break into social circles. They do not need more friends. They are not unfriendly, but may be a bit skeptical and suspicious for a decade or so. If you hunt, like the right sports teams, boat/fish, ride motorcycles or snowmobiles, you are more likely to make friends quickly. Volunteering helps. Church is a good place to meet people. There are a lot of community hockey softball and soccer teams. While people are nice and happy to help you, it can be difficult to make real friends.

Michigan is:
The great Lakes State
Water Winter Wonderland.

That should give you an idea of productive pastimes to explore.

Vacations involve going up north. If you go to the UP, remember you are now a foreigner, a troll and a fudgie. Be respectful and quietly take in the natural beauty and do not drop trash and the yoopers will tolerate you. Do not tell all your east coast friends that you found the most beautiful place in the world and tell them to come here. It is a secret. We do not want to become Yosemite.

I am mostly kidding. Sort of.


Oh yeah, learn to understand sarcasm. If someone says something really offensive and absurd, we are being sarcastic.

We have some sterotypes of east coast/Bostonians. People may expect you to be loud obnoxious, offensive, rude, and pretentious. If you want to mock the stereotype make sure it is clear you are being sarcastic.

By the way. Detroit is fabulous downtown and mid-town. Soon in between the two will be fabulous too. Do not get firghtened off by suburbanites who have not been in the city for twenty years. It is a great place to live, work, or hang out and the festivals and other events are awesome.