Worst areas in Detroit (Southfield, Wayne: how much, high school, universities)

[kyearley]

I'm going to law school at UDM in August...how safe is that immediate area?

[and the]

Where is the campus? As I recall, it's downtown, unless they moved it to the 6 Mile Mercy Campus or the Livernois U of D campus. If it's downtown, it's relatively safe. If it's on Livernois, I wouldn't be walking around off-campus after dark. The campus itself is quite safe. It's all fenced in and patrolled by private police.

[Jake1256]

Originally Posted by kyearley

I'm going to law school at UDM in August...how safe is that immediate area?

I am pretty sure it's downtown. so you should be fine, but if it is at the main campus then don't go too far.

[jdcmom]

I have lived and/or worked in Detroit my whole life (40 years). I attended Wayne State and currently work there. I agree with the poster that said if you are aware of your surroundings then you're fine. My office is on the south end of campus (about 5 blocks from the heart of Cass Corridor). I am down here at night and have no problem walking to my car. Unless you owe someone drug money or are sleeping with their spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend then they won't bother you. Most people are homeless looking for hand-outs. Pretty harmless really. If you spot someone you think might harm you the best thing to do is be aware of them. Look them over so and make sure they know you are looking them over. Make sure they know you can ID them in a line-up. They are looking for easy targets, someone who isn't paying attention. Don't leave valuable stuff in your car and they won't break in to get it. Basically street smarts. I kind of feel for those who lived in the burbs their whole life and have no clue about street smarts. It's something everyone should have regardless of where they live.
My brother-in-law lived in the city of Detroit until he was 36. Never had his house broken into. He moved to Livonia and had his house broken into. Hmmm...maybe because the robbers know that people in Livonia got stuff worth breaking into for.

[MariAnnaW]

Originally Posted by Noire

I haven't been to Detroit yet. It was really NEVER on my list of places to visit and I am quite an open minded traveler. Anyway, I will be visiting Detroit next month because I am looking into a PhD program at UM- Ann Arbor. I know a couple of people in Detroit and decided, "why not?" I always research the places in which I travel. Detroit is the #2 unsafest city. Troy is the 5th safest city. There is a such thing as statistics- look them up. I'm from NYC and I must say I have some reservations about visiting the city of Detroit. Based on what I've read, statistics and the MAJORITY of people I meet from Detroit, there is no way in HELL I would live there. As I said earlier, I have traveled many places, national and international but the Detroit people I encounter have got to be some of the most ignorant people I have ever met. Who brags on the negativity of their city? "Don't mess with the D. We were almost the murder capital." Just plain ignorant. Even the politicians and local celebrities there have their illegal side action. And this is something I know for a fact. Not something that was read in the tabloids. Brother X, get a grip. Stop blaming everything on the white man. If I had to encounter you I would be afraid also- AND I'M BLACK.

Hopefully, my visit there will change the image I have of Detroit.

I was born and raised in SE Michigan, and lived/worked around Ann Arbor my whole life. I've been to Detroit many times for events, concerts, meetings, etc. It is a lot like many other urban areas around the country...you get what you look for. Ann Arbor is very cosmopolitan, unique, and academic - you can't compare the two cities. In general, I have always felt safe in Ann Arbor, if you are choosing to go to school/live there.

[Coldjensens]

Statistics are meaningless. They can be twisted to mean anything and the generally mean nothing. I lived in a city that was once rated as the most dangerous - almost entirely because of one neighborhood. They cleaned up that neighborhood and suddenly it was on the safest city list. Nothing changed for 90% of the residents. The statistics provided no real information about what it is like to live in a city. Statistics lead to averages and generalizations which in turn always lead to misperceptions.

Some parts of Detroit are wonderful, some are horrid. More parts are horrid than wonderful, but that does not make the wonderful parts any less wonderful.

However in your situation, you would be crazy not to live in Ann arbor if you like cities or a quaint surrounding small town or farm if those are your preference.

When you visit Detroit, if you like architecture, be sure to visit the lobby of the Guardian building and the Fisher building. There are some really good museums to visit as well. Save Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Villiage for a time when you can spend all day at each one.

[Skatergirl]

If you're looking on the outskirts, then Utica is near. There have been a lot of drugs moving in for a while and there's a big problem with teens and vandalism in Utica as well as Shelby twp.

[shanit]

Ill tell ya what 8 mile brings it brings hookers and pimps and drug dealers and addicts and I"m not kidding as far down 8 mile as i can remember. 7 mile LOL the road is a complete wreck firstly then yes thats a high crime road there I wouldnt have ever stopped for nothing I would rather run out of gas just north of 8 mile than stop there. People bug you for money ask you if you wanna buy drugs its pathetic waste of an area that used to be nice when I was younger and nicer before me. Look what its turned to a human garbage waste site!!!

[Slappy san]

Originally Posted by megynelli

I might be going to Sinai Grace Hospital in Detroit as for most of my rotations. Its on West Outer Drive b/t 7mile and McNichols Rd. I know there may be times that I will be working late. I am just wondering how safe it is there. I really liked the hospital, but the area wasn't the greatest. I am mainly concerned about driving home at night. I am pretty sure a security guard can walk me to my car if I want, I am just wondering about the rest of the area. I am not planning on living there, just working there. Any tips?

It's not a warzone. You will be fine. I never had any problem in the area. I spent alot of my life in the area. I still have family on Lesure.

[Slappy san]

The thread is titled "Worse areas in Detroit" yet most of these posts concern places outside of the city. Does anyone bother to read the titles?