Loft living in downtown Detroit (Hamtramck, Highland Park: real estate, mover, condos)

[deslok]

I wouldn't agree on that. I live in Chicago and have a lot to do, but so does Detroit. You have a zillion bars, casinos that Chicago doesn't have right in the downtown area. You have nice restaurants, sporting events, etc.. So what should people pay to live downtown in a historic, large city and hang out in Detroit? $300? This mindset is what is pretty dead, no offense. If the building has the amenities to go along with it, w/d, pool, work out facility, internet cafe etc..., why not? It's a deal to live in a city like Detroit for that price in a nice facility. Or you can live in the middle of nowhere in the surrounding suburbs, drive to work every day 30 minutes, complain about gas prices and car insurance, live in a boring, white washed apartment or suburbanite home, and be like the entire baby boomer generation that started leaving the city years ago.

[Slappy san]

Originally Posted by deslok

I wouldn't agree on that. I live in Chicago and have a lot to do, but so does Detroit. You have a zillion bars, casinos that Chicago doesn't have right in the downtown area. You have nice restaurants, sporting events, etc.. So what should people pay to live downtown in a historic, large city and hang out in Detroit? $300? This mindset is what is pretty dead, no offense. If the building has the amenities to go along with it, w/d, pool, work out facility, internet cafe etc..., why not? It's a deal to live in a city like Detroit for that price in a nice facility. Or you can live in the middle of nowhere in the surrounding suburbs, drive to work every day 30 minutes, complain about gas prices and car insurance, live in a boring, white washed apartment or suburbanite home, and be like the entire baby boomer generation that started leaving the city years ago.

Check my location. I disagree.

[deslok]

I'm not sure why people live in Michigan/Detroit when they dislike it.

[Slappy san]

Originally Posted by deslok

I'm not sure why people live in Michigan/Detroit when they dislike it.

[OhEdo]

I'm curious as to where the original poster went - what does he/she think?
As for the $1100 for a one bedroom, deslok is correct in that location plays a big part. Walking to sports stadiums, theaters, bars, restaurants and casinos (plus work in my case) not only saves gas but time and expense spent on parking and no need to draw straws for designated driver.
Also, although these lofts are listed as "one bedroom," we are not talking about 600 sq. ft. in a 40 year old 3-story stucco and fiberboard walkup with little to no amenities. These are 800-1000 sq. ft. units with granite countertops, built in stainless steel appliances, big bathrooms, washer/dryers in unit, gyms and secure parking all built in classic old office buildings, department stores and warehouses with 12-15 ft ceilings and big panoramic windows. It's not perfect for everybody and ultimately your habitat has to best reflect your lifestyle and priorities, but there is a reason for the rents charged, which are, as they say, "market based." Otherwise occupancy wouldn't be 90%+ as they are in all these places.
On a side note, there are plenty of more traditional apartments just as nice and often nicer than those in the burbs on the near east side of downtown roughly in the area boxed by Vernor to the north, Mt. Elliot to the east, Jefferson to the south and I-75 to the west, mainly along E. Lafayette and Larned. The rents on these are comparable to what you'd pay elsewhere for similar accomodations.

[Paddington]

What do you guys think of Studio 1 Apartments near Wayne State? I was thinking about living there next year.

[OhEdo]

Originally Posted by Paddington

What do you guys think of Studio 1 Apartments near Wayne State? I was thinking about living there next year.

That's a great question I'm rather curious myself. Unfortunately I don't know anybody who lives there and I haven't heard much about it. I'm not even sure if it construction has completed yet. It looks great on the website, but then again unless management is completely incompetent the advertising always looks good.
Sorry for not being able to provide any info.

[Slappy san]

Originally Posted by Paddington

What do you guys think of Studio 1 Apartments near Wayne State? I was thinking about living there next year.

Are they open during construction?

[iroc8210]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the lack of grocery stores (with decent produce) in the area. Plan on getting in your car and driving a few miles for a larger chain grocery store. I went to school downtown and still had classmates shopping at my grocery store 10miles north of school.

[Slappy san]

Originally Posted by iroc8210

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the lack of grocery stores (with decent produce) in the area. Plan on getting in your car and driving a few miles for a larger chain grocery store. I went to school downtown and still had classmates shopping at my grocery store 10miles north of school.

That is definitely a negative. Another negative is most stores tend to close up by 8pm. Late one night I needed change. CVS and stores close were closed. I didn't feel like walking to the gas station near the freeway so I ended walking to Greektown and buying a couple drinks for change.