Loft living in downtown Detroit (Dexter: insurance, apartments, condos)

[Vox]

I am moving to Detroit in June and, having never lived in a downtown area, am interested in renting a loft within walking distance of the RenCen. I have three questions: how safe is the downtown area, especially at night?; since most of the rental loft properties average around $1100 for a one-bedroom, how much can I expect to pay over the rental costs for parking, cable, utilities (especially electric in a windowed loft)?; and what can I expect to pay for auto and renters' insurance in these areas? Thanks in advance.

[Dexterguy]

I can't answer every single question but I can tell you that Downtown has improved a lot in recent years, new lofts, new city construction projects, the crime has also gotten alot better. You are in a downtown you can always expect some sort of mischief. But violent crimes in downtown is almost rare, it has not happened for many years now. Living on downtown is the most safest area in Detroit to live, at this point. I'm trying to think of any nice lofts in that area (near the RenCen), Greektown would be nice, also some of the areas around Greektown, midtown section of Detroit is not bad either. But is not walking distance to the rencen. There is really only so many areas that you can rent in walking distance to the rencen. Detroit is not much of a "walking city" at the moment, even though that is trying to be improved. You may also want to try some of the newer and renovated developments in Brush Park. That are was once very poor looking, but today it seems to be really turning around. good luck on your search!!

[motownbabe]

Does anyone live in Lafayette Lofts? I'd like to know what it's like! thanks

[motownbabe]

By the way, car insurance is OUTTA CONTROL in Detroit, a total rip-off, and barely affordable.

[kimba01]

Originally Posted by Dexterguy

I can't answer every single question but I can tell you that Downtown has improved a lot in recent years, new lofts, new city construction projects, the crime has also gotten alot better. You are in a downtown you can always expect some sort of mischief. But violent crimes in downtown is almost rare, it has not happened for many years now. Living on downtown is the most safest area in Detroit to live, at this point. I'm trying to think of any nice lofts in that area (near the RenCen), Greektown would be nice, also some of the areas around Greektown, midtown section of Detroit is not bad either. But is not walking distance to the rencen. There is really only so many areas that you can rent in walking distance to the rencen. Detroit is not much of a "walking city" at the moment, even though that is trying to be improved. You may also want to try some of the newer and renovated developments in Brush Park. That are was once very poor looking, but today it seems to be really turning around. good luck on your search!!

I don't know what you are considering violent crime, but I know there was a shooting at a bar when the Super Bowl was here. Don't hear much that is true and I was down there all nights having a great time. I didn't have any problems or fears, but when I heard that it just ticked me off because everything was going so well! Plus, it was unseasonably warm then too!

[motownbabe]

don't you think that was a hit? she was going to testify against someone. that was NOT random.

i work near motor city casino and it's SAFE, they don't want outta town gamblers to stop coming here!

[OhEdo]

I personally live in a downtown loft within walking distance of the Ren Cen (but quicker/easier to get there on the people mover) and can tell you that safety is basically a non-issue. I walk to work everyday and sometimes my commute home is very late at night - I've never been scared, but do pay attention. Downtown on weekends can get pretty rowdy around the clubs late at night but if you are not milling around the entrance looking for trouble after they close at 2 you'll be fine. I can honestly say that I enjoy living downtown very much and do not regret for a second my decision to live there. My loft is pretty cool too. Send me a personal message if you would like details about my place.
You are right worrying about car insurance - the combination of a Detroit zip code and Michigan no-fault really jacks up the rates, but for some reason I got a really good deal with AAA compared to other insurers. Maybe it's a fluke, maybe their service is not so good (knock on wood I have not had to avail myself of their services yet) but that's my experience. Renter's insurance is a non-issue; a few hundred bucks a year. Parking costs vary with each loft (they all offer parking as far as I know) from free to $100/month depending on the location and security of the facilities; figure 30-40 bucks a month for a fairly secure spot with good sheltered access to your apartment.
You are forced to get Comcast cable in most of these places because the buildings are hard-wired for it - they annoyed me so much that I make do with rabbit ears now, but that is a problem with Comcast not downtown living per se. They seem to have some pretty good offers out there now though.
Utilities can run pretty high in these places with big windows and high ceilings, and they tend to be all electric - in mid-winter I pay close to $200/month for all my utilities, but I think the owners of the place are ripping me off in some way.
All told, assuming $1100 for a nice one bedroom (which sounds about right for the nicer places but you can get better rates at the older places), with utilities, cable, parking and insurance would probably run about $1500-$1600a month.
Rental lofts within walking/people mover distance to the Ren Cen include Woodward Center and Merchant's Row on Woodward, the Kale's building on Grand Circus park, and several smaller lofts along both Michigan and Gratiot whose names, if they have names, I don't know. There are some older and likely cheaper lofts along the Woodward corridor such as the Fyfe and Park apartments on Grand Circus as well as a few more around Harmonie Park right off broadway near the Opera House and Music Hall as well as in Greektown. Those locations are all walkable/people movable to the Ren Cen. A bit further off the beaten path to the east and maybe a bike ride away from the Ren Cen are the River Place condos/apartments, which are also quite nice. If you are buying then the options expand to Brush Park and all kinds of fancy new developments along the midtown corridor, which would also be more of a bike/car/bus ride than a walk. If you are considering more traditional apartments (i.e., not lofts) as well, the Millender Center apartments are connected to the Ren Cen via a covered bridge and the Riverfront Apartment/condos have direct access to the people mover and it's 3 stops to the Ren Cen. Both of these places, though not lofts, are pretty nice with full amenities. The Lafayette apartments mentioned by motownbabe, though starting to show their age, are on the national register of historic places for their Mies van Der Rohe design. The Trolleytown apartments on Washington Blvd. are another cheaper option but I have heard mixed reviews.
For what it's worth...
Oh, and motownbabe, I don't know of lofts in Lafayette Park, but if you are talking about the high rises there I hear the staff and views are great but the units are starting to show their age.

[Slappy san]

Be sure to do your research. A lot of the lofts have issues.

$1100 for a one-bedroom...ouch.


Get ready for high car insurance.

[deslok]

Just depends on what you want out of life. 1100 for a downtown loft is not bad if you want to be in the area. Other big cities you'd pay much more.

[Slappy san]

Originally Posted by deslok

Just depends on what you want out of life. 1100 for a downtown loft is not bad if you want to be in the area. Other big cities you'd pay much more.

..and those downtowns would have enough going on to possibly justify it. The residences and surrounding neighborhood in no way justify $1100.