Grosse Pointe/Detroit Border (Warren, Dexter: real estate, budget, job)

[Dexterguy]

Are the houses that are around Mack Ave in the Pointes safe? I was just curious because I was looking at some real estate in this area. Many of the neighborhoods look very nice, but being so close to Detroit's eastside "which I know is crime infested" worries me. Any input? Thanks

[movingtoSEMi]

I was told (and have seen for myself) there are distinct borders (the GP border, actually). East of Mack Ave, north of Barrington - very safe. If you search the city-data threads for Grosse Pointe...you will find some good information regarding the matter.

I found that driving into GPP off of Cadieux is less desirable than driving in from Moross or Venier...just my opinion. Let us know what you think.

[cardwellave]

Grosse Pointe has actually put concrete barriers on a few streets that butt up to Mack Ave. and Alter Rd. to discourage crime.

[Dexterguy]

Originally Posted by movingtoSEMi

I was told (and have seen for myself) there are distinct borders (the GP border, actually). East of Mack Ave, north of Barrington - very safe. If you search the city-data threads for Grosse Pointe...you will find some good information regarding the matter.

I found that driving into GPP off of Cadieux is less desirable than driving in from Moross or Venier...just my opinion. Let us know what you think.

Moross and Vernier are more desired streets for sure. What I actually found out that I did not know was that Alter Road is entirely in the City of Detroit, I always thought that Alter was the dividing line. So does that mean if you have a Alter Rd adress then you do not live in GPP and you do not get the GPP city services, schools?, just wondering, I'm sure that someone is fimilair with that area and it streets.

[cardwellave]

No you don't get GPP services. You may be able to do schools of choice to GPP.

[stock66]

Which Pointe are you looking at?
Mack and Vernier is GPW on both sides of Mack.
Detroit only extends north of Moross for about a block on the west side of Mack after that it is GPW.
The Detroit side of Mack between Cadieux and E. Warren is an area that has never had great property value. Mostly small cheap frame houses. In the past crime was not a huge problem in that area (I owned several houses there and knew people that lived there). I think it has gotten worse but still not as bad as further west on Mack.
The Detroit side between Outer Drive and Cadieux is East English Village. Better housing stock, can still run up to 150K but again is on the downward slide.
Finally the other side of Outer Drive you have Morningside. That area is bad.
Wayburn is the western most street in GPP. If you are on the "odd" side of the street your backyard abuts Detroit property. This is considered highly undesirable to many people. Barrington is the equivalent to Wayburn but south of Jefferson. The houses on that section of Alter are much better kept though. Also Alter is divided from the main part of Detroit in that area by a creek so there is less "exposure." Living on Alter will give you no GPP advantages.
So there was more than you ever wanted to know about Grosse Pointe borders
Obviously different areas have slightly different issues.
I have lived on the 1400 block in GPP (that is the first block off Mack). Biggest problem is walk in thefts from people that don't lock doors or garages. For instance a purse taken off a table, a bike from a open garage.
The police and observant and catch a lot. It can be obvious when someone is wheeling a snow blower down the street in July I can't tell you theft rates are any higher or lower per block, best to just keep things locked and avoid problems.

[Dexterguy]

Originally Posted by stock66

Which Pointe are you looking at?
Mack and Vernier is GPW on both sides of Mack.
Detroit only extends north of Moross for about a block on the west side of Mack after that it is GPW.
The Detroit side of Mack between Cadieux and E. Warren is an area that has never had great property value. Mostly small cheap frame houses. In the past crime was not a huge problem in that area (I owned several houses there and knew people that lived there). I think it has gotten worse but still not as bad as further west on Mack.
The Detroit side between Outer Drive and Cadieux is East English Village. Better housing stock, can still run up to 150K but again is on the downward slide.
Finally the other side of Outer Drive you have Morningside. That area is bad.
Wayburn is the western most street in GPP. If you are on the "odd" side of the street your backyard abuts Detroit property. This is considered highly undesirable to many people. Barrington is the equivalent to Wayburn but south of Jefferson. The houses on that section of Alter are much better kept though. Also Alter is divided from the main part of Detroit in that area by a creek so there is less "exposure." Living on Alter will give you no GPP advantages.
So there was more than you ever wanted to know about Grosse Pointe borders
Obviously different areas have slightly different issues.
I have lived on the 1400 block in GPP (that is the first block off Mack). Biggest problem is walk in thefts from people that don't lock doors or garages. For instance a purse taken off a table, a bike from a open garage.
The police and observant and catch a lot. It can be obvious when someone is wheeling a snow blower down the street in July I can't tell you theft rates are any higher or lower per block, best to just keep things locked and avoid problems.

Thanks, for all of the information stock66. That really answers many of my questions, I am not looking into an exact city or block. I was just curious how the crime rate was in the Pointes along the borders (Wayburn & Mack). And the specifics on the borders.

[Coldjensens]

We have a secretary who lives on the border. She said that taxes are determined by which side of your house has the master bedroom so I guess she is sitting right on the border. The area that she lives in is very safe and pretty nice. I will ask here where it is and how the rest of the border is.

[danwilsonbsee]

Originally Posted by Dexterguy

Thanks, for all of the information stock66. That really answers many of my questions, I am not looking into an exact city or block. I was just curious how the crime rate was in the Pointes along the borders (Wayburn & Mack). And the specifics on the borders.

I live on Wayburn in GPP currently (but not for long - Got a job in Raleigh NC next week - So long Kwame!)... Long story short after two years on the "bad side" of the street I have had not one issue. My roommate and I have 3 cars total so at least one is on the street every night and have never had a problem. The police are amazing and the city spends the majority of its budget on public safety and it shows. The crime per capita is much lower than many other cities much farther away from Detroit proper. The city services are great as well and I used the gym at the Park which was very nice and affordable. I grew up in the GPF the first block from Mack too and while things always change, I would pick to move back here over any other city in the Metro Detroit area - even if I was living on the border.

[Dexterguy]

Originally Posted by danwilsonbsee

I live on Wayburn in GPP currently (but not for long - Got a job in Raleigh NC next week - So long Kwame!)... Long story short after two years on the "bad side" of the street I have had not one issue. My roommate and I have 3 cars total so at least one is on the street every night and have never had a problem. The police are amazing and the city spends the majority of its budget on public safety and it shows. The crime per capita is much lower than many other cities much farther away from Detroit proper. The city services are great as well and I used the gym at the Park which was very nice and affordable. I grew up in the GPF the first block from Mack too and while things always change, I would pick to move back here over any other city in the Metro Detroit area - even if I was living on the border.

Well, sorry that you have to leave the state, or maybe you want to. Anyways thanks for the information on the saftey and borders, I have gotten alot of input on the Grosse Pointe area, and it all seems to very postitive, currently I am looking at about three or four different properties, two in the Park, one in the city, and one in the Farms. Thanks again to everyone