Question about Michigan Economy and Living (Detroit, Dearborn: houses, rent, travel)

[cardwellave]

cardwellave - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

79 pictures taken today. Too bad everything looks kinda grey. Oh and I had a ton of trouble working with these so they're not in the order I'd like. Each photo has a description when clicked on.

[detshen]

Originally Posted by babigyrl5

Well Im Black and I live in a very diverse neighborhood and I dont want to lose that wherever I move. I love being around all types of people, I dont want to "stick out" if you know what I mean lol.

You would be a minority in Garden City, I don't think it's particularly racist, people just tend to segregate here in SE Detroit. I think Ferndale is what you are looking for, but it doesn't fit your location needs, it's 40 minutes or so from Ann Arbor, but it does border Detroit so your close to all the city amenities. I love Ferndale, if you can handle being farther from Ann Arbor I think you would like it.

[cardwellave]

Ferndale definitely has the diversity. I can say I don't notice a lot of racism here in Garden City. As I said there are lots of black people, indians, arabic people, and asians around. Westland has a decent sized black population as well, and there is plenty of diversity at Westland Mall. The real segregation occurs along 8 Mile. Ferndale is definitely along 8 Mile, but I don't think there is a lot of racism there. Ferndale has a 3.4% black population, so nothing noticeably more than Garden City. Westland has a 6.8% black population.

My suggestion? Take a week or so off and explore all through the suburbs that are in your price range, and even some outside to get an idea of what you like. Then make a determination. I hope my pictures help you get a look at one area though. Best of luck!

[detshen]

Originally Posted by cardwellave

Ferndale definitely has the diversity. I can say I don't notice a lot of racism here in Garden City. As I said there are lots of black people, indians, arabic people, and asians around. Westland has a decent sized black population as well, and there is plenty of diversity at Westland Mall. The real segregation occurs along 8 Mile. Ferndale is definitely along 8 Mile, but I don't think there is a lot of racism there. Ferndale has a 3.4% black population, so nothing noticeably more than Garden City. Westland has a 6.8% black population.

My suggestion? Take a week or so off and explore all through the suburbs that are in your price range, and even some outside to get an idea of what you like. Then make a determination. I hope my pictures help you get a look at one area though. Best of luck!

Taking time to explore the areas is great advice, but if you need to find a place before you move, I think you will be fine in any of the mentioned places. Try to get a short lease so you can move if you want.

8 mile isn't really a racial dividing line anymore because middle class black people have moved out of Detroit into Southfield, Oak Park, and the other northern suburbs. Ferndale "feels" more diverse to me than Westland when I am actually in those places. 8 mile is still a crime dividing line though, Detroit isn't a good place for a single woman to live unless you are downtown, midtown or one of the other nicer neighborhoods.

[cardwellave]

I agree. I just think every area has things to offer. It would be nice if she is able to come to Michigan beforehand to explore, she could visit all the areas. Ferndale certainly has a lot to offer. But think about Ferndale 10 years ago when their downtown was just coming out of tough times. That's basically where Garden City is now.

[babigyrl5]

Originally Posted by cardwellave

cardwellave - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

79 pictures taken today. Too bad everything looks kinda grey. Oh and I had a ton of trouble working with these so they're not in the order I'd like. Each photo has a description when clicked on.

wow thanks for the link- my work laptop wont access flikr so I have to wait till I get home and check them on my computer

[babigyrl5]

Originally Posted by Acupunk

You would be a minority in Garden City, I don't think it's particularly racist, people just tend to segregate here in SE Detroit. I think Ferndale is what you are looking for, but it doesn't fit your location needs, it's 40 minutes or so from Ann Arbor, but it does border Detroit so your close to all the city amenities. I love Ferndale, if you can handle being farther from Ann Arbor I think you would like it.

Isnt Ferndale next to RO? RO was one of my first choices...

[babigyrl5]

Originally Posted by Acupunk

Taking time to explore the areas is great advice, but if you need to find a place before you move, I think you will be fine in any of the mentioned places. Try to get a short lease so you can move if you want.

8 mile isn't really a racial dividing line anymore because middle class black people have moved out of Detroit into Southfield, Oak Park, and the other northern suburbs. Ferndale "feels" more diverse to me than Westland when I am actually in those places. 8 mile is still a crime dividing line though, Detroit isn't a good place for a single woman to live unless you are downtown, midtown or one of the other nicer neighborhoods.

on the Detroit forums people have been saying downtown is not safe, thats why I didnt consider it!

[cardwellave]

There are some nice places downtown, but the real problem is commuting to do shopping and stuff. There is really nothing within the city limits.

Ferndale is about two cities below Royal Oak, but next to the unaffiliated Royal Oak Township.

And no problem on the link. I took more pictures than I was expecting to, lol. Btw it is photobucket not Flickr if it makes a difference to your computer.

[detshen]

Originally Posted by babigyrl5

on the Detroit forums people have been saying downtown is not safe, thats why I didnt consider it!

A lot of people are paranoid! they take the crime statistics for the entire city and post them to scare people, it's so annoying. I don't want to accuse people of having bad intentions, but you need to know to take some of the Detroit posters with a grain of salt. I used to live in the midtown Wayne State area and loved it, you would want to actually see an apartment before agreeing on it though. The area is filled with undergraduate, graduate students and some faculty and people who like to be in the cultural center. There are actually 4-5 grocery stores in the midtown area and lots of restaurants, bookstores and bars.

There are no major chain grocery stores so that creates confusion, there are plenty of independent grocery stores.

People also don't realize there is shopping east of downtown on East Jefferson between downtown and Belle isle and of course, eastern market. There are chain drugstores, fast food,ect. Harbortown Market is a great grocery store right on Jefferson, they offer specialty items like vegetarian foods as well as regular groceries. That's a great area around the river. A 2 bedroom would probably be out of your price range though. I used to live there also 15 years ago we paid 650 for a one bedroom, it was so beautiful though. That area is very diverse also. I think it's called Riverfront or Rivertown area.