16 Mile? (Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor: condo, violent crime, purchasing)

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by khfar

Now see...I'm a card carrying Republican, but I do NOT take kindly to racism.

... then, khfar, I'm not addressing you (although, my god, you helped elect an idoit that's destroying our country... but that's for another day)... I don't hate Republicans... why, some of my best friends are...

[BurtsBees]

Theres going to be problems and its only going to get worse before it gets better. The Metro Detroit suburbs are some of the safest cities in the nation and they sit next to the most dangerous city in the nation, Detroit. When opposites collide, bad things happen.

[reconmark]

Originally Posted by BurtsBees

Theres going to be problems and its only going to get worse before it gets better. The Metro Detroit suburbs are some of the safest cities in the nation and they sit next to the most dangerous city in the nation, Detroit. When opposites collide, bad things happen.

Please enlighten me, how are things goimg to get worse before they get better? Where is your evidence personal or otherwise that supports the statement that Detroit is the MOST dangerous city in the nation or do we just lump it in with your statement that if you venture into Detroit you will be raped and murdered.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by summers19

Oh my god. Did I just read this correctly? And to think I was actually toying with the idea of looking into this area of MI to move back to. Unbelievable. I think I'll keep my sights on Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Whew! I'm glad I live in Virginia in a middle class neighborhood where at least 1/3 are African American, 1/3 are Asian or Hispanic, and the rest are 'other'. I am 'other' and enjoy the diversity greatly. Thank god for Cato and Jeff for fighting the good fight. Keep it up, guys. All I can say is 'oh my god'.

Summers, I know where you're coming from b/c I moved from San Francisco where it's pretty even between whites, latinos and Asians. That said, other places I've lived in, like Philadelphia, can be just as polarized between black/white as Metro Detroit.

It sounds like you grew up in the area, but you might want to check out places like Royal Oak, Berkley, and Ferndale. From what I understand, they've changed quite a bit from 10 years ago (some would day for the worse but the vast majority for the better), and they continue to change to this day. We did look into Ann Arbor and also Grosse Pointe - in the end we felt that RO had the best all around characteristics. RO is more affordable than Ann Arbor, and around more diversity than GP, while being more centrally located than the two as you know.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by reconmark

Please enlighten me, how are things goimg to get worse before they get better? Where is your evidence personal or otherwise that supports the statement that Detroit is the MOST dangerous city in the nation or do we just lump it in with your statement that if you venture into Detroit you will be raped and murdered.

Not that I want to agree with burtsbees sentiment, but Detroit is #2 on most dangerous cities right now, just behind St. Louis, MO. Flint is #3. So technically, bees is wrong!

I want to laugh to keep from crying when I see the posts saying not to enter Detroit without your gun, ect ect...how ludicrous. I wonder when the last time some of these people have actually been inside Detroit city limits. I was just there last week and--GASP!--nothing happened! Nothing happened when we went downtown not long ago either, or even when we drove up Jefferson to Grosse Pointe.

Let me guess, we got lucky right?

[Cato the Elder]

And before anyone chimes in by saying you get off the highway, go to the arena, and get the hell out, there are many of us who commute every weekday into the city by taking Woodward Ave the entire way - even through Highland Park - GASP! I've never felt threatened and actually feel it's a much safer ride than going up Broad St. in Philadelphia. Most of North Philadelphia along Broad makes Highland Park along Woodward look like Grosse Pointe.

[samsays]

Honestly racism will never die. Why? Because there are different races. As long as there are different races then there will be race relation problems. It has existed since biblical times and will continue. Actually it's just as racist to feel as though there shouldn't be a majority of whites in a neighborhood as it is to believe there should not be. In wanting a racially diverse neigbhorhood you are still making decisions based upon race, making it a big factor, which is still inherantly racist. So I would have to say that you are just as racist. Making race an issue at all, whether wanting to live around certain races or not is still racism because you are making race an issue. If race was really NO issue to you then you wouldn't care what the neighborhood looked like where you lived. You wouldn't pay attention to the fact of it being white/black/brown/Asian, etc. It would make absolutely no difference to you. So you wanting diversity is racist.

Do you know what racism means? Bringing up diversity isn't racism. Feeling superior to a different race is. Which sounds quite like you.

[summers19]

Thanks, Cato and Jeff, for the positive info on the area. We are looking to move back to MI to open up our own business. I've been on the MI forum for about six months now trying to get a 'feel' for the state. I've been gone for 13 years and have enjoyed my time away, but still pine for the state of MI. I really miss Lake Michigan terribly and would love to have my kids grow up somewhere near the lake (within a couple of hours drive).
So in my quest to find out about various cities in MI in which to live, I came upon the "16 mile" thread and found the content of this thread literally unbelievable. I honestly can not believe that there are still people out there that hold these types of racist views in this day and age. My jaw dropped when I read some of the posts. I showed them to my husband and he commented "is it still 1968 up there?". Sadly, for some people, I think it is.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by summers19

Thanks, Cato and Jeff, for the positive info on the area. We are looking to move back to MI to open up our own business. I've been on the MI forum for about six months now trying to get a 'feel' for the state. I've been gone for 13 years and have enjoyed my time away, but still pine for the state of MI. I really miss Lake Michigan terribly and would love to have my kids grow up somewhere near the lake (within a couple of hours drive).
So in my quest to find out about various cities in MI in which to live, I came upon the "16 mile" thread and found the content of this thread literally unbelievable. I honestly can not believe that there are still people out there that hold these types of racist views in this day and age. My jaw dropped when I read some of the posts. I showed them to my husband and he commented "is it still 1968 up there?". Sadly, for some people, I think it is.

You are definately right, for some people, it is indeed still 1968. I just want to be clear that, in my experience so far (1 year next month), most people I have gotten to know aren't racist, although the tensions do exist with some people. I have co-workers who see the whole thing rationally, and I have co-workers--both black and white--who definately hold racist views. Its sad, but it's not the end-all-be-all of what this area is all about.

Your very welcome for any help. Michigan is still a beautiful state with alot to offer. Times are tough but we'll make it!

[Cato the Elder]

Summers, we need more native Michiganders like you coming back. May I ask what type of business you are looking to set up? People could perhaps chime in with suggestions on where to locate.

Don't listen to those who will say that *any* business will fail in MI. I know for a fact that places like Grand Rapids are doing quite well and depending on what business you're in, Oakland County is also humming along. There are more cars and people out and about than ever going about their business. I have a friend who owns a company that deals in metals and he's fabricating more stainless steel backsplashes and whatnot than ever - he can't keep up with the demand. It took months for him to get back to us with a backsplash when he got us angle-iron in less than a week last autumn! Just because the demographic is shifting more white collar doesn't mean that there are not opportunities for businesses - it just means different types of businesses will succeed. Don't look now, but Detroit is leaving the 60s!

If you're in for at least the next several years, I'm sure you'll find some great opportunities. Good luck!