How many people LIVE in Windsor, and work in DETROIT? (Americans)...or is working in the DTW suburbs better? (apartment, to buy)

[HappyDaysCopenhagenSkoal]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

Yeah, I THINK it is because downtown Detroit is so far removed from the Detroit Metro area. So Windsor seems equally removed.

But, it seems like, if people WERE to work downtown Detroit, that coming over from Windsor would be the easiest thing in the world to do, plus give you a nice environment, if you are a person who likes urban environments - and I am. (Detroit is hardly ideal for someone who does like TRUE urban areas though - i.e. pedestrian-friendly, open stores, people abound, etc.). Seems like Windsor might be that place.

Actually, some areas around Midtown Detroit/Wayne are very walkable, with groceries, gym, bars, etc all within easy walking distance.

Just check out the address, paste it onto walkscore.com, and you get the areas "walkability"

I have nothing against Detroit - I actually like the area alot, which is why I'm a serious candidate for the job at Fiat - I like the idea of Windsor, because it does have a Canadian vibe, which makes for a unique deal when you arrive home from work in the evening (and I used to live in Canada).

Just having access to Canadian media and currency on a regular basis makes the commute interesting ... and the Windsor people can be very international. Also U of Windsor is a very cool campus. The waterfront is great for running after work.

For those who may not know, the Chairman of Fiat and Chrysler actually did his MBA in Windsor, hence the connection.

As long as you don't have to commute too far to the suburbs, I would highly recommend Windsor.

[Tiger Beer]

That makes me think of another question. Are the majority of jobs IN the suburbs?

There are some real nice downtown office buildings/skyscrapers downtown. Wonder how many people are employed and working right there during the day?

Seems like IF someone were to work there, then a commute from Windsor would make the most logical sense.

If someone was working in the suburbs though, then seems like living in the suburbs would make the most sense.

[jmlowman]

Originally Posted by Wingnatic

This and Ontario's strict no smoking policy has really dug into tourism , specifically Michiganders . You can no longer smoke at the Casino in Windsor or basically anywhere else .

Sorry, but can you come up with some statistics to support this assertion? It sounds like the tactics that Big Tobacco comes up with to convince restaurant, bar and other business owners that they'll lose business if a statewide smoking ban is enacted. The reality is quite the opposite. When California went non-smoking nearly 15 years ago, what these business owners discovered was that they were getting a new set of clientele; those who were uncomfortable with being in a smoking environment, that more than offset those smokers who they lost and who vowed never to come back. In fact they did come back, for the most part, because they had no choice.

Not to turn this into an anti-smoking thread, but if Michigan had adopted a statewide smoking ban, like 36 other states, it would have made our vsiit back in July more pleasant. Guess Michigan is content to be grouped with the other "enlightened states," mostly in the south, that still allow it.

[moneill]

How are taxes handled. I would think if you are an American working in the USA but living in Canada you still have to pay American taxes...and as a Canadian resident don't you pay Canadian taxes as well. Hmm?

[Wingnatic]

Here ya go :
Smoke-Free Ontario Legislation: Clearing the Air

The Goverment in Ontario will say it doesn't hurt businesses , but go ask someone at the casino in Windsor or drop by a Canadian veterans place similar to our VFW and ask them . I've run a joint Canadian/American politics board such as this one for many years , I can get more proof if you wish .

[jmlowman]

Thanks for the link. It was interesting to read the government point of view.

Here's the thing, though - if Michigan enacted a smoking ban as most of the other states have, where would the citizens of Windsor then go?

Here in California it became nearly impossible for people to smoke except at home or in their cars. Eventually many bit the bullet and returned to patronize the smoke-free establishments. Some of my colleagues who were dedicated smokers eventually quit altogether.

So, are the casinos and service organizations in Ontario suffering because people can cross into Michigan and not have to deal with smoking bans, or have they simply decided to stay at home?

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by jmlowman

Thanks for the link. It was interesting to read the government point of view.

Here's the thing, though - if Michigan enacted a smoking ban as most of the other states have, where would the citizens of Windsor then go?

Here in California it became nearly impossible for people to smoke except at home or in their cars. Eventually many bit the bullet and returned to patronize the smoke-free establishments. Some of my colleagues who were dedicated smokers eventually quit altogether.

So, are the casinos and service organizations in Ontario suffering because people can cross into Michigan and not have to deal with smoking bans, or have they simply decided to stay at home?

I lived in California, and the no-smoking was fine for 99.99% of the people.

Actually, socially-speaking, I knew of a few friends who briefly picked up smoking so they could talk to the smoking girl out front of the business establishment...lol. (Well, what few girls do actually smoke anyways these days, not exactly the healthiest ones, for sure).

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by HappyDaysCopenhagenSkoal

If you work in Downtown Detroit, you could live in Windsor and commute.
That won't be a huge problem legally speaking.

Have you actually researched this and determined it to be the case? Several years ago I was working in downtown Detroit and commuting from Ann Arbor. I could see Windsor from where I parked my car and decided it would make a lot of sense to live on the other side. What I found, at least at the time, was that the Canadian government didn't want people to do that, at least that they made it extremely difficult. You needed a Canadian sponsor and proof of employment IN Canada, at least at the time. Maybe things have changed.

[Dexterguy]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Have you actually researched this and determined it to be the case? Several years ago I was working in downtown Detroit and commuting from Ann Arbor. I could see Windsor from where I parked my car and decided it would make a lot of sense to live on the other side. What I found, at least at the time, was that the Canadian government didn't want people to do that, at least that they made it extremely difficult. You needed a Canadian sponsor and proof of employment IN Canada, at least at the time. Maybe things have changed.

Crossing on the Ambassador Bridge or Detroit-Windsor Tunnel is painful enough just going to the Windsor Square Market or the Little Italy neighborhood for the food. I would never live in one country and work in another, way to painful of a commute in my opinion.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Have you actually researched this and determined it to be the case? Several years ago I was working in downtown Detroit and commuting from Ann Arbor. I could see Windsor from where I parked my car and decided it would make a lot of sense to live on the other side. What I found, at least at the time, was that the Canadian government didn't want people to do that, at least that they made it extremely difficult. You needed a Canadian sponsor and proof of employment IN Canada, at least at the time. Maybe things have changed.

Were you looking to buy a house at the time?