Wandering Detroit -Answer Honestly (Lansing, East Lansing: best neighborhood, crimes, houses)

[ocean2026]

and don't tell me what you've HEARD just what you experienced.

I'm white and my son is Hispanic. I love wandering around cities especially those with old buildings. I have always gone to places like Hazelwood in Pittsburgh or East Buffalo etc etc and just walked. Often I was the only white person in sight. Some people would ask "What are you looking for" but I'd use that opportunity to ask about the building I might be observing. Whites who lived in those cities all their lives would be shocked.

What I want to know - and not from what you've heard but from reliable experience-- is

Is there any Detroit neighborhood that would be hostile? Is there any place you know that shouldn't be explored?

So far not much action here on Detroit threads- Texas Buffalo etc way more active.

[kimba01]

People in Detroit are feeling the slump right now. It is rather depressing.

That said, there are certain areas you can wander and certain areas that require local knowledge. I would not wander into neighborhoods that don't look too swift. But the business area where Greektown is and the stadiums and bars are is fine.

Were you planning on wandering after dark or during the day? Are you going alone?

Use common sense. It is pretty obvious where you may not want to be.

[ocean2026]

Thanks Kimba - the first area I will wander is Indian Hills and the Marina area - I assume those are among the safest neighborhoods Grand/jefferson

Then maybe general motors /Woodrow

Then Grand River around Martin Luther King Blvd and

anywhere near the river.

Specific enough? lol


I never seem to get anyone to wander with me- my kids don't care for it - Im a fit 50's male but no match for weapons.

Most of it will be during the day but when I see something I really like I return at night.

Its much harder to get info on here about Detroit compared to most other cities - true maybe Detroit is in the dumps but Buffalo isnt exactly thriving.

[Huckleberry3911948]

got family in detroit area. its kinda like visiting NYC until it happens NYC is a great town great food, great theatre and lots of excitment. the world is your oyster, until it happens.

[Coldjensens]

I like to wander around Detroit too. I do not get much time for it, but I have had no problems. There are some areas where you just lock your doors scooch low and drive out as quicckly as possible. Do not wander those areas.

I have enjoyed all over downtown from Wayne State to the Ren Cen, greek town

Cork Town has some great areas.

Mexican Villiage is neat, but stay out of the residential areas and I would not wander there at night.

A lot of the keys to styaing safe is how you look and how you act. Predators are looking for people who are lost, scared and comparatively wealthy. If you look like a regular denizen of the streets, they are a lot less likely to bother you. If you are wearing fancy clothes, walking like you are not going anywhere or you are frightened or gazing about in awe, then you are a target.

[srussell252]

My husband and I often frequent Detroit for sporting events and dinner. You just have to be smart and cognizant of your surroundings.

I would however, probably avoid areas outside of the downtown area at night, as there would be less people around and the people that are there would likely be up to no good. Use your instnct - there are neighborhoods you will know as soon as you get there that there could be a problem. If you see someone who looks out of place or suspicious, leave. There are alot of desperate people in the area due to the 4 year state recession we have been. My best advice would really be to just pay attention to your surroundings and listen to your inner voice wherever you end up.

Some neighborhoods with great architectural homes include Sherwood Forest, Palmer Woods, Rosedale Park and Indian Village. My husband and I often drive through these nieghborhoods just to look at the houses and we have never had a problem. There is also some great architecture in the Grosse Pointe communities which are very safe.

One place you must go is the neighborhood where the Heidelberg project is. It is an " art" project that is definitely unique to this city. It is really just a block of houses brightly painted and adorned with salvaged goods. It is not in the best neighborhood - I have never been there after dark. To find direction, you can goolge Heidelberg project + Detroit MI

Good luck on your wandering!

[huckster]

You are mistaken, I am sorry, I am sorry but crack house areas and tourism do not mix as far as street sense is concerned.
This is not about hearsay or third hand rumors, there are just too many
unpredictable variables where human foibles are concerned.
How many unreported crimes and unknown police blotters
should be more your criteria before you consider taking a child
into a vicinity where he could be harmed.
Just because you have innocent intentions does not make you immune
to harm. I know of many hostile places there. People see an easy mark
and presto.
This is not about racial profiling, I am a non-white resident.
I too like old cities, if I were you I would take him to san antonio ,tx.
It is ancient and the iner city decay is not as prevalent because the economy is not in bad shape at all.
It is heavily hispanic.

Originally Posted by ocean2026

and don't tell me what you've HEARD just what you experienced.

I'm white and my son is Hispanic. I love wandering around cities especially those with old buildings. I have always gone to places like Hazelwood in Pittsburgh or East Buffalo etc etc and just walked. Often I was the only white person in sight. Some people would ask "What are you looking for" but I'd use that opportunity to ask about the building I might be observing. Whites who lived in those cities all their lives would be shocked.

What I want to know - and not from what you've heard but from reliable experience-- is

Is there any Detroit neighborhood that would be hostile? Is there any place you know that shouldn't be explored?

So far not much action here on Detroit threads- Texas Buffalo etc way more active.

[zakian]

Cass Corridor.

[Crustedfilth]

Originally Posted by zakian

Cass Corridor.

second that. Or anyplace else outside of the downtown area. You might get shot for street cred.

[ChoochMI]

While the possibility of something bad happening increases when you enter Detroit, I wouldn't be too worried about it.

When I lived in Detroit I did occasionally witness some wild stuff but none of it involved me. Of all the years I've been going downtown, visiting family/friends in the neighborhoods, working in the neighborhoods, and living down there I never really had a bad experience.

Kind of like you, I enjoyed exploring the city when I went running/biking. Believe me it gets pretty rough but a lot of people from the suburbs are irrationally terrified of Detroit. Despite what you may hear from others, the overwhelming majority of the Detroiters I met are friendly and helpful. Just be respectful, friendly, and dont come across as a lost, scared, tourist.


If all you are doing is walking or driving around, you'll be fine. Indian Village is perfectly safe. Obviously stay out of the projects, avoid groups of guys hanging around if you can(that is just as true in East Lansing as Detroit), and use common sense.
(for the record, Im a young white guy)