Downtown Detroit Okay to Live? (Grand Rapids, Warren: real estate, foreclosures, lofts)

[Virginia1]

I have posted on this forum many times. I currently live in Va. Beach and my Fiance lives in Flint. I am considering moving up and have mainly thought of moving to Grand Rapids. Since I have been looking at real estate to buy I have looked all over Michigan. I came upon some loft style condos in Detroit mostly in the Midtown and Downtown areas and really liked them. I have been to Detroit on occasion, Royal Oak, Ferndale, etc. I have read varying opinions about Downtown, good and bad. I am in the medical field and I could most likely find a job at DMC. I have read that there are some racial tensions and mean spirited people in the Detroit City area with high crime. I also have read of people living in the downtown area and have not had any problems. So here is my question or questions Are there signs of Detroit revitilazation (spell) going on? Is the immediate downtown area safer then lets say the outer boundaries of the center city, which I have seen. Kids are in college so I will be on my own mostly. Please only respond if you really have experience living in the center city area or midtown. It would be most helpful. Thanks.

[Guardian]

Originally Posted by Virginia1

Are there signs of Detroit revitilazation (spell) going on?

Many. Within the past five years the has been many new developments including One Kennedy Square, Garden Lofts at Woodward Place, MGM Grand Detroit Casino, Motor City Casino, Cliff Bells restoration, Detroit Life Building renovation, Blue Cross/Blue Shield renovation, Asian Village , Harbortown conversion and development, Riverfront Towers conversion, Grinnell Place Lofts, E & B Brewery Lofts, Elloitt Building Lofts, 1001 Woodward Condominiums, Guardian Building renovation and parking garage , Madison Theater renovation, and Vinton Building redevelopment. But the most talked about and probably most noticeable one is the Book-Cadillac Hotel:

[BurtsBees]

I would not advise living anywhere in the city itself. Find a place in the suburbs and drive

[dsv1496]

I agree w/Burts. The city itself is a mess, no matter how many new condo's/townhomes they build...Two blocks over you'll get mugged. I personally liked Ferndale. It's become much more affordable now with so many foreclosures...

[dsv1496]

Also, if you work in the medical field, you should look into Royal Oak Beaumont. I believe it's in the top 500 companies to work for.

[Angel Bear]

If I worked downtown Detroit, I might consider living there if I was single.

It's a different story though if you have children IMHO. Detroit schools, God bless them are having problems right now...It's so sad. I pray every day that things will improve and Detroit will be the crowning glory again of Michigan.

Logistically, it's hard to do your errands in downtown Detroit. Not as many good grocery stores, so you'll end up driving to Warren or Ferndale or Dearborn...wherever is closer to you. They were building some stores at one time, but not sure if they ever went through with it.

So, there are so very cool lofts in downtown Royal Oak off Main Street. You will be close to the freeways and able to get downtown relatively fast. The quality of life will be better for you too...There's safe parks, stores, restaurants, etc. The schools in Royal Oak are on a downturn though, IMHO, so be aware of that if you have kiddies

But, I still love my city of Detroit. The thing is that we go down as much as we can to give $$ to the city, going to games, concerts, and restaurants. It is our small way of helping. I really enjoy walking around the Comerica Park areas during nice summer days. There's even a Borders now and some cool new places to eat. And, well, you can't get any better than Greektown I am moving, but I hope and pray that the city will turn around for future generations...It used to be a jewel prior to the 1960's...so sad about the racism of that era. Seeing documentaries is all I have seen of it since it was before my time, but it is really sad to me. I grew up in Detroit and then, my parents moved to the 'burbs before I started school. I love the architecture of old cities and well, the people are so down-to-Earth in Detroit. Detroit gets such a bad rap, but hopefully, things will turn around

[mhogan10010]

If you are Black, then maybe near the riverfront. If not, then Ferndale or Royal Oak would be a good choice.

[Virginia1]

Well......thanks for the info. I was hoping someone would respond in a more positive light. I have seen other cities do well with cleaning up the downtown areas, example New York, Pittsburgh have done well. With the new football stadium, and the baseball stadium I was thinking it would be a good start. The lofts are selling, so either these folks are out of towners or they are locals and they believe that Detroit will turn the situation around in the next few years. The lofts are not cheap, so there is a somewhat middle upper to upper class buying the lofts. I appreciate everyones input, but is there anyone who actually lives in the downtown area who can give there two cents worth. Thanks again......great forum.

[MotownLowdown]

Originally Posted by edteach

Just remember to wear your kevlar and carry a 45 and things should be ok.

That quote is absolutely ridiculous. This person is asking about living in downtown Detroit. It is the safest area of the city. Why do you think there has been so much re-development there? People are buying lofts and WANT to live there.

It's that kind of mentality that keeps dragging the area down, and fosters the reputation that outsiders have of the Detroit area.

[usroute10]

I live in the Detroit neighborhoods. Almost all of them are in a slow steady decline, because of the poor economy and because the middle class black folks who have been here so long are fed up, and moving out of the city.

However, the downtown and "midtown" areas are booming, with new and renovated housing and retail sprouting up every week! The Riverfront is also seeing a slow revitalization. These areas are safe with heavy police presence because the city wants to attract entertainment dollars. There are fine grocery stores within the city limits, relatively close to downtown, so stop listening to the haters.