What Makes Flint, MI so miserable? (Detroit, Grand Rapids: apartment complex, condos, attorney)
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Flint has some ok aspects to it (a couple of good University's), but most of it is pretty bad. If you travel or work in Flint just make sure you do it during the day and you will be fine. The problem is that losers in the city keep having more losers that they cannot pay for. I know several single mother from Flint who have 5 kids from 3 different dads. It's pretty sad because those kids really don't have a fighting chance at a decent life. One of those single mothers is 21 years old. This country is getting over populated with trash. I've asked some people why they are having so many kids and they mainly do it because they are irresponsible and they get tax money from the government. More illegitimate children means more money!! Some people get pissed off at me for saying this but I really think some sort of population control needs to be put in effect in this country. People are not smart enough to run their own lives and they are not only ruining their own lives but their children's lives too. How about giving a tax break incentive to married couples who choose not to have children??
I'm tired beyond words of those who so fervently criticize Flint. It's quite true that there's great need for improvement yet, I must say, that I'm quite content here (and that's coming from one who resides in the city limits). Both my parents are professionals (I'm 17) and we live in Flint's upscale Woodcroft community whose residents include various physicians, lawyers, engineers, executives, the Mayor, notable persons of Academia, and other such professionals. This community was (is) home to Flint's "Old Money" and as such, the architecture is amazing. Geographically, Woodcroft is close to Flint's best shopping, is easily accessible by freeway, and is only a quick 40-50 minute ride to the gorgeous Somerset Collection (which we frequent) and other parts of Metro Detroit.
Oh, and there's plenty of culture in Flint: Simply google the renowned FIM, Arts, etc.
And even better: the housing prices are so much less; estate homes in Woodcroft range from about $500K to about $800-$900K. In places like Bloomfield Hills, the Pointes, and in Chicago's upscale locales many would easily go for $2-$3MIL easily. This has allowed us to purchase a summer home in Key West and travel internationally 2-3 times a year as opposed to 1-2 when we lived in Metro Detroit and Chicago .
You are wrong flint is way smaller and worsier everyone who lives in flint that dont have no degree has to drive down near detriot jus to make 9$ an hr there are no jobs in flint at all to survive the homicide is worsier than detriot is jus bigger
I've never lived in Flint, but I have visited several times and thought it seemed like a decent small/medium-sized rust belt city. I actually felt there was more going on in downtown Flint than downtown Lansing, especially in terms of developments, building renovations, etc.
The Durant Hotel renovation is absolutely gorgeous. Flint also has interesting historic districts like Carriage Town. The downtown seems to have more urbanity to it than Lansing's downtown.
Flint gets a bad rap, but if you had a good job and a decent income, it would be a great place to live (you could live downtown or in a beautiful old mansion in Carriage Town for next to nothing).
I've never lived in Flint, but I have visited several times and thought it seemed like a decent small/medium-sized rust belt city. I actually felt there was more going on in downtown Flint than downtown Lansing, especially in terms of developments, building renovations, etc.
The Durant Hotel renovation is absolutely gorgeous. Flint also has interesting historic districts like Carriage Town. The downtown seems to have more urbanity to it than Lansing's downtown.
Flint gets a bad rap, but if you had a good job and a decent income, it would be a great place to live (you could live downtown or in a beautiful old mansion in Carriage Town for next to nothing).
I have to disagree with ya allegheny. Flint is run down, depressed economically and crime ridden. These things combine to make the town incredibily depressing. Everything there is old and run down. There are still a few areas where it is nice, but overall the area is depressed. Even the suburbs of Flint are not that nice, nothing special. Fenton is the only really nice Genesse county town, the others are just too close to flint and have alot of negative Flint infuences. (poverty,crime and unemployment) You compare it to Lansing, but I see the oposite of you when Flint and Lansing are compared. Lansing has some life downtown, it has more nice neighborhoods, and its suburbs are way nicer. There are alot more employment opportunities in Lansing as well. Most people in Michigan avoid Flint simply because there is nothing there. It would take an economic miracle to change that fact. The only thing Flint has going for it is that it is not as bad as Detroit.
From one who grew up here and still lives here in Flint, it's a nightmare. I went to Flint schools, lived on the East, South and West sides of town and can't wait to get the hell out while I'm still alive.
All this major BS about Flint being not that bad is a steamy load of ****. What is here that allows someone to spew such ludicrous information? The colleges? Please! Unless you are a professor and teach there, when was the last time Kettering, U of M or Mott had open, non-degree positions available? I can't remember either. So the colleges are out. Next? Downtown? While it's true they are trying to "revitalize" it, it's like putting lipstick on a pig...it may look cute, but it's still a pig. Yeah, the Crim, Back to the Bricks and a couple other things happen there, but so? Anyone land a job during any of these events? Didn't think so. They are once a year gigs that don't do crap for the majority of the people here. The Cultural Center was mentioned. Tell me, when was the last time anyone went to the Sloan, the Institute of Arts or Music? Again, those are once in a great while attractions. I know of no one that went to the I of A one day and couldn't wait to go back the next. One of the most common attractions is the Whiting. They have a few good concerts and have an awesome Christmas program, but other than that...
Neighborhoods. This is always a good one. I'll agree there are a few, VERY few decent ones left. Where I grew up back in the 70s-80s, you can't walk the streets safely anymore. You'll have your hat brought to the hospital. Gangs, drugs and just plain losers have taken over.
Jobs. This one kills me. Yes, yes there are jobs here, few though they are. It tells you something about the demographics when there is a job opening, doing whatever, and you have 200 applications for the position, 175 can't pass a drug screen and/or background check, 10 don't even have the basic qualifications necessary, 10 show up to an interview with their pants hanging so low that you can see their crack, 3 are retirees that need to supplement their GM pension and 2 lost their job at another company doing exactly what they are applying for. Doesn't anyone else see a problem with that? No wonder public assistance is such the rage in this city. It has gone on for generations and will continue on.
As it stands right now, Flint is teetering on the brink of breaking a 24 year murder record. The record is 61, set back in '86..we currently have 50 with 3 months left to go. With a population of approximately 111,000, that's 4 times the national average. And Flint is still sooo nice? Take the blinders off and look around you. Burned out, boarded up houses, businesses closing, schools closing, drugs, gangs, shootings, robberies...this isn't a 'nice' city anymore, it's a demilitarized zone. You know it's bad when your friend that lives in the South side of Chicago tells you "Man, I'm sure glad I don't live there!" Personally, if I asked someone where they wanted to go on a nice vacation and they said Flint..I'd take them to have their head examined. Those that DO visit, for whatever reason, ironically only go to the 'nicer' parts of town or the Cultural Center. If those are the only parts you ever see..of course you'll think Flint isn't that bad. Take a little drive through the State streets on the East side for some REAL culture (shock). If you do dare, I wouldn't sit to long at a stop sign...you'll have a dozen people running up asking 'what chu want? what chu want?' Or if you feel suicidal, roll up through the Beecher area. Before you do, make sure your insurance is paid up...someone will soon be collecting.
What's left that is loosely considered 'nice' doesn't do anything for the city's economy, period. The 'nice' colleges don't help, the 'nice' cultural center doesn't help and the dressed up downtown doesn't either. Someone said that their family bought a house in Key West and travel internationally. Good for you! That's awesome! By the way, thanks for spending your money here where it is needed. All the so-called "culture" Flint has to offer doesn't pay the bills sweetheart. Those that live "up on the hill" have absolutely no idea what goes on in the valley.
And yet another kick in the groin...the citizens of this..um...'fine' town now have to pay for the last white elephant left..Genesee Towers. I don't want it, never did. I don't use it, never wanted to. Why on earth should I have to pay for it? Those of us that do own a home and have a job are going to be saddled with another tax increase to pay for this POS. Oh yeah, great city. My property taxes right now are only $400 LESS than those in Clearwater Florida and $300 less than Honolulu. If I'm going to pay outrageously high property taxes, I might as well have decent property!
Before anyone says anything like 'If you hate it so much, why don't you just move?" Don't worry, I am. I plan on being out of here in very short order and never coming back.
For those that I leave behind, I do truly wish you well. I hope you stay safe and crime free.
Flint Michigan..where the cost of living keeps going up and the chance of living is going down.
FWIW, this is all my personal points of view..what I see and have seen, what I believe and what feel. None should be considered personal attacks of any kind.
GN---
Last edited by Goin'North; 09-29-2010 at 10:55 PM..
Um... not that I don't believe the things that you're saying...
But if someone from out of town says that Flint "isnt' that bad", who are you to say that they are wrong? So what if they only visited the "nice" part of Flint? These people have UNBIASED opinions. Sure, maybe 85% of Flint is a hole, but you can't criticize an outsider for saying that a certain part of Flint is nice. They have no history or connection that is clouding their opinion. I'd be much more willing to listed to an outside opinion about downtown Flint than that of someone who has lived in the city forever and obviously is bitter and hateful towards the place. Not that I blame you, but you are obviously going to downplay anything about Flint that IS nice.
Um... not that I don't believe the things that you're saying...
But if someone from out of town says that Flint "isnt' that bad", who are you to say that they are wrong? So what if they only visited the "nice" part of Flint? These people have UNBIASED opinions. Sure, maybe 85% of Flint is a hole, but you can't criticize an outsider for saying that a certain part of Flint is nice. They have no history or connection that is clouding their opinion. I'd be much more willing to listed to an outside opinion about downtown Flint than that of someone who has lived in the city forever and obviously is bitter and hateful towards the place. Not that I blame you, but you are obviously going to downplay anything about Flint that IS nice.
Who am I to say? I am the one that knows ALL parts of the city, for I LIVE here. "UNBIASED opinions"? Au contraire, friend. They have a BIASED opinion. For if they ONLY see the good or 'nice' parts, they know nothing of the rest (85%) except by hearsay. Go out, away from the CC, Downtown..venture out into the lands where people LIVE, note the word...L-I-V-E. I didn't say go to shop, school or to see a play. And, yes, there are a very few 'nice' neighborhoods here. I just happen to live in one. Go to where the blue collar people live, not the well off professionals, for there are many more of them than there are of the others. Weigh the differences. If I went to LA and just toured the Hills, oh, I would probably LOVE it! It's beautiful! I would have a different opinion if I went through ALL of LA..like South Central. See the point? GN---
Who am I to say? I am the one that knows ALL parts of the city, for I LIVE here. "UNBIASED opinions"? Au contraire, friend. They have a BIASED opinion. For if they ONLY see the good or 'nice' parts, they know nothing of the rest (85%) except by hearsay. Go out, away from the CC, Downtown..venture out into the lands where people LIVE, note the word...L-I-V-E. I didn't say go to shop, school or to see a play. And, yes, there are a very few 'nice' neighborhoods here. I just happen to live in one. Go to where the blue collar people live, not the well off professionals, for there are many more of them than there are of the others. Weigh the differences. If I went to LA and just toured the Hills, oh, I would probably LOVE it! It's beautiful! I would have a different opinion if I went through ALL of LA..like South Central. See the point? GN---
Yes, I get your point. No one is saying that Flint is a great or even decent city.
My point: If someone thinks the downtown is nice and has never seen the "true Flint", it doesn't mean that they are wrong about the downtown being nice. It just means they have only seen downtown. I don't see any point in criticizing them for thinking positively about a certain part of Flint. No one is denying that what you are saying about the rest of the city is true.
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