Downtown Detroit or Royal Oak/ Ferndale--Help! (Warren, Ann Arbor: 2009, motels, lawyer)

[scolls]

Originally Posted by MisterShunshine

Look, I am not just trying to bash Detroit for no reason. I'm also not a person that is just speculating based on media reports. I live in Metro Detroit, and I have had plenty of experiences in the city.

If you want to ride the People Mover and get off at random stops, be my guest. Do it enough times and you most certainly will hear or see a shot fired. If you do, it is quite likely one of those shots will be aimed at you. Don't bother trying to call the police, because they won't show up for a few days, if at all.

Some of you seem to be oblivious to the realities of this place. Getting on an internet forum and telling people that have never been here that this city is great is just a big lie.

Sure every city has its bad parts, but in most cases those bad parts aren't like the bad parts of Detroit, and they don't make up 95% of the entire city.

I would be willing to bet that 90% of the Detroit residents would agree with my point of view, but you won't see their opinions on this forum because they can't afford a computer, let alone food or rent.

It doesn't bother me if you folks want to look at Detroit through rose-colored glasses, but I'm just trying to give unknowing victims a factual warning.

Speaking of being oblivious and factual, Downtown Detroit has a crime rate that is below state and national average. I commute to Warren and Woodward everyday and have yet to hear a gunshot. How long did you say before this would happen?

[lavidadulce]

I've lived in downtown Detroit (Lafayette Park neighborhood) for about a year now, and I've never had a problem; however, I wouldn't feel safe walking around alone at night, being a 24 year-old female. That's actually the biggest downside--I feel a bit trapped.

If I were to move downtown again I'd probably choose to live in the Millender Center, though I live in The Pavilion Apartments now, and it's probably the nicest place for the best price Detroit has to offer. It's on the other side of I-75 from Greektown and a 10-minute walk from central downtown. 24-hour security and secured parking, FABULOUS parties hosted by the apartments in the summer and around the holidays, and a wonderful staff. If you're looking for a loft, check around Wayne State on Woodward--there are lots of new and very nice ones!

That being said, however, given the choice between Detroit and Royal Oak, I'd opt for the latter. Both offer wonderful cultural opportunities and a great nightlife (maybe RO a bit more), though being from the suburbs (Mt. Clemens area), I'd just feel much more comfortable and "at home" in Royal Oak.

Good luck & hope you find a great new place!

[hacksawcjeep]

I've worked downtown detroit for 3 years. I've lived in Royal Oak for just about a year. I like Royal Oak quite a bit. However, I have only seen one disturbance downtown. Guess when it was? During the final four. Guess who it was? A couple of frat boys from MSU.

I am a gun carrying citizen, legally, and I have NEVER once felt that I was anywhere close to having to use it. Mind you, on my lunch breaks, I take off to Detroit's east side (on a motorcycle) to see the sights. I grew up in a VERY rural area of northern MI and had (prior to 2000ish, college) no experience what Detroit really was.

I go to Eastern Market at LEAST once a week on my lunch break, most of the time I am out in Detroit. (it's AMAZING)

However, as stated, I live in Royal oak.. which I LOVE. I'm 15 minutes (non rush-hour) to Detroit and a stumble home from any bar that I want to.

I'd recommend Royal Oak, personally... I'm that guy that leaves his car unlocked with the windows down in the middle of the day.. I haven't had a problem yet.

[jodyhokanson]

DETROIT sucks my family went there for a lions game because my husband is a redskins fan. we live by grand rapids we were told we could walk to every where we needed to go . That was not true. Are hotel was 2 blocks from hard rock cafe every 2 steps someone asked us for money or food. it is a dump other than ford field, comerica park and the casinos for every 1 nice building theres 8 falling down beside it

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by vwjetta1

I am considering this same question - downtown versus royal oak or ferndale. some of the downtown highrise apartment buildings - particularly the jeffersonian and the kales building - look extremely nice to me. can anyone advise on the safety of these neighborhoods? (kales is at 76 west adams street, and the jeffersonian is at 9000 east jeffersonian. i'll be working at 3711 woodward.)

If I were working on Woodward I would want to live a lot closer than Jefferson Ave! Royal Oak and Ferndale are more fashionable but also a lot more pricey than downtown. Also, Woodward runs right through them, AND you have the branch office of King's Bookstore on Woodward, so the closer you live to that, the better.

MisterShunShine: You should NEVER base your estimation of any city's safety on media reports! Violent crime has been going down steadily for years all over the country -- yes, even in Detroit it's down 21% -- but reporting of violent crime has gone up over 600% in the same time period. That's not a typo.

[hsxeric]

Downtown Detroit is more diverse, but you have to deal with beggars and swindlers harassing you for change all the time. There is a grocery store by the way. It might not be a SUPERMARKET, but you can get everything you need downtown. Plus, Eastern Market is close by, where you can get fresh, farm-grown produce and fruits. You can get a studio in Lafayette park for $600. Nice view of Canada, the river, and downtown. It's only a few blocks away from Greektown too! I say move here. Royal Oak and Ferndale are nice, but the commute is a pain in the butt. It's not too far, but rush hour on 75 will make you crazy. You can move to downtown, get rid of your car, and ride a bike anywhere you need to go.

[electric_lady]

Royal Oak or Ferndale would be the best options. Close enough to Detroit to experience and enjoy everything it has to offer. But far enough away to avoid any crime. Plus you have grocery stores.
Commuting from RO to Detroit via bus ... I did it from Ferndale once. It took almost an hour I think. I wouldn't count on that being your main transport, but give it a try once on your day off. It's an interesting experience, and you get to watch the entire post-apocalyptic scene of Detroit unfold along Woodward. J/K, I love Detroit.

[Coldjensens]

I work downtown (Ren Cen) and I leave at night as often as not (anywhere between 6:30 and 11 p.m.). I will occaisionally go walk around at night just to take a break and see what is going on. For the most part the answer is nothing. Along the river front there are often people running or walking but as you move into the city there generally is no one. No bad guys, no beggers, no good guys, just nobody. It is kind of spooky. There is a little life up by Campus Martius but between there and the waterfront is pretty empty at night. Along the riverfront it is more lively. The summe is awesome. They have decent bands every Friday. Usually older but once very popular bands (I cna remember Foreigner was there recently, generally bands of that age, but many much better known than Foreigner). I see quite a few young people out running up through the evening, but rarely at night. I even see some very nice looking young ladies out running many evenings all by themselves. They do not seem uncomfortable. There are a lot of people around, it is when few people are around that it is threatening.

I have left work after dark and/or walked about at least 400 -500 times. I have never sene any sign of crime except some broken glass on the streets where a car was obviously broken into (do nto leave valuables in sight in tyour car) and one time I saw a drug deal while driving on Forst street almost to Del Ray. Another time in the same area I saw what appeared to be a prostitute servicing her client right on the sidewlak at about 5:30 or 6 a.m. Both of these were outside of downtown though. I cannot say that I have even seen an obvious prostitute downtown, although I have see a lot of them along fort and jefferson outside of the downtown area.

We recently went on a tug boat dinner cruise (from Sinbad's) along the river. It is amazing how beautiful this city is from the water. The waterfront areas are really neat and lively. There are quite a few things taht you can walk to. If I wanted the city lifestyle and was sinlge or a Dink, then I would really seriously consider living downtown. Not a good place for a family, but then neither is Royal Oak.

For singles or DINks Royal Oak is awesome. It is lively and fun and yet still has a small town atmosphere. The architecture is quiant and homey. I do not know wehter it is safer than downtown. I suspect that it may not be. It is definetely safer than Detroit as a whole, but downtown is different than most of the rest of the City. You really ought to try living in both places for a while and see which appeals to you more. Royal Oak is one of the places that I wish that I had gotten the oppoturnity to live. We like it too m uch where we are to want to move (probably never) but it would have been nice to have lived in Royal Oak it is really a neat place for an urban type of lifestyle. If you could move it away from Detroit another ten or so miles, give it good schools, more open space and some water, it would be perfect.

the part of Detroit between Downtown and Royal Oak is not all nice. SOme parts are areally awful. I would not ride a bike between the two places even in the day time, although I would be reasonably comfortable riding around at night in either place.

You could probably enjoy living in either place. However you want to chose the best place so you do nto miss out on an opportunity. That can only be determined by testing both. The best palce for me may not be the best place for you.

By the by, ignore the know nothing exagerators and drama kings/queens. You really need to check both places out long term for yourself. Commit to trying a six month lease in each place, make sure that your lease overlaps nice and awful seasons (i.e. go Januarey to June in pone place and July to December in the other). then you will be in a place to make a truely informed decision.

[Dexterguy]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

I work downtown (Ren Cen) and I leave at night as often as not (anywhere between 6:30 and 11 p.m.). I will occaisionally go walk around at night just to take a break and see what is going on. For the most part the answer is nothing. Along the river front there are often people running or walking but as you move into the city there generally is no one. No bad guys, no beggers, no good guys, just nobody. It is kind of spooky. There is a little life up by Campus Martius but between there and the waterfront is pretty empty at night. Along the riverfront it is more lively. The summe is awesome. They have decent bands every Friday. Usually older but once very popular bands (I cna remember Foreigner was there recently, generally bands of that age, but many much better known than Foreigner). I see quite a few young people out running up through the evening, but rarely at night. I even see some very nice looking young ladies out running many evenings all by themselves. They do not seem uncomfortable. There are a lot of people around, it is when few people are around that it is threatening.

I have left work after dark and/or walked about at least 400 -500 times. I have never sene any sign of crime except some broken glass on the streets where a car was obviously broken into (do nto leave valuables in sight in tyour car) and one time I saw a drug deal while driving on Forst street almost to Del Ray. Another time in the same area I saw what appeared to be a prostitute servicing her client right on the sidewlak at about 5:30 or 6 a.m. Both of these were outside of downtown though. I cannot say that I have even seen an obvious prostitute downtown, although I have see a lot of them along fort and jefferson outside of the downtown area.

We recently went on a tug boat dinner cruise (from Sinbad's) along the river. It is amazing how beautiful this city is from the water. The waterfront areas are really neat and lively. There are quite a few things taht you can walk to. If I wanted the city lifestyle and was sinlge or a Dink, then I would really seriously consider living downtown. Not a good place for a family, but then neither is Royal Oak.

For singles or DINks Royal Oak is awesome. It is lively and fun and yet still has a small town atmosphere. The architecture is quiant and homey. I do not know wehter it is safer than downtown. I suspect that it may not be. It is definetely safer than Detroit as a whole, but downtown is different than most of the rest of the City. You really ought to try living in both places for a while and see which appeals to you more. Royal Oak is one of the places that I wish that I had gotten the oppoturnity to live. We like it too m uch where we are to want to move (probably never) but it would have been nice to have lived in Royal Oak it is really a neat place for an urban type of lifestyle. If you could move it away from Detroit another ten or so miles, give it good schools, more open space and some water, it would be perfect.

the part of Detroit between Downtown and Royal Oak is not all nice. SOme parts are areally awful. I would not ride a bike between the two places even in the day time, although I would be reasonably comfortable riding around at night in either place.

You could probably enjoy living in either place. However you want to chose the best place so you do nto miss out on an opportunity. That can only be determined by testing both. The best palce for me may not be the best place for you.

By the by, ignore the know nothing exagerators and drama kings/queens. You really need to check both places out long term for yourself. Commit to trying a six month lease in each place, make sure that your lease overlaps nice and awful seasons (i.e. go Januarey to June in pone place and July to December in the other). then you will be in a place to make a truely informed decision.

I actually always wanted to go on one of those river cruises. Every single year I say I going to go on one... but fall rolls around and it never happens. I guess maybe 2010 now.

Coldjensens, I agree about what you said about downtown and everything. But I think that people are scared to go downtown because of basically what the have to drive through. Then once they get down there they are extremely nervous about being in Detroit. I know it sounds silly to people that are comfortable with being in the city. But to the suburbanites that have not gone downtown in 30 years it's a different story.

Sadly, it kind of looks like that the momentum that downtown Detroit once had has faded tremendously. All of the projects that were proposed last year have all dried up. I hope that the office space in downtown can be stablized to a point were more tenets are not looking to move elsewhere. I recently heard that GM is moving more employees out of the RenCen to the Tech Center in Warren. And Comerica is moving more employees out of One Detroit Center. Who knows what will happen to One Detroit Center after Comerica's lease is up in 2012. The city should be looking furiously for someone to move into that soon be be empty tower.

[Wingnatic]

The Mayor of Warren has come out in the media hinting that GM should move it's headquarters to the Tech Center which is looking pretty thin lately as far as employee cars . The Tech Center is located directly across from the City of Warren's city hall . The Mayor of Warren has also stated in the media that he'd like to see another '' cash for clunkers '' program , but this time for GM , Ford , and Chrysler cars only lol You can't blame the Mayor for trying lol But as far as moving people out of the GM Building(RenCen) downtown Detroit to the GM Tech Center , thats all I've heard so far .