[mrthemike]

Where is a nice place to live within a commutable distance to Detroit? I am 25 and flying up to interview with GM. I don't have an offer or anything yet but I'm just looking at the area and Detroit itself is a big no-no from what I have seen. (Voted the most miserable city?). Is Detroit really as bad as the press makes it seem? I have a very "gloomy" picture of Detroit.

I am currently in Florida (finishing my masters) but I've lived in northern NJ my whole life. I am looking for a safe, well kept environment that is not too far away from civilization (hockey rinks, restaurants, etc..). I heard Oakland county was ok?

Anyone have any ideas? I am not sure what my salary would be at the moment but the house prices in Michigan seem to be very reasonable. Compared to northern NJ at least. I am guessing around 65k+. But that is just a very rough guess.

[sikes0000]

Do you know where you would be working? The Ren Cen in downtown Detroit (do they still own it?) or the GM tech center up near Warren?

[mrthemike]

Originally Posted by sikes0000

Do you know where you would be working? The Ren Cen in downtown Detroit (do they still own it?) or the GM tech center up near Warren?

I'm not sure. I am interviewing at the RenCen.

[Coldjensens]

Parts of downtown Detroit are pretty neat. Being 25 and single, you should give it a look. Do not take the word of people who have never been there. Look for yourself. It is a miserable city overall and it has a terrible government, but the downtown is a neat place to live. The big problems are in the outlying neighborhoods, not downtown.

Royal Oak would be a good choice for you. Wyandotte might be worth a look too. If you are staying long term, one advantage is that you will be able to buy a house at a very low price if you choose. Keep in mind though that it may be a long long time before prices begin to rise again.

[cardwellave]

All good choices and I would add Ferndale to the list as well. It's closer too.

I think you will learn that all the suburbs minus about three (Inkster, River Rouge, and Ecorse in parts...and of course Highland Park) are very safe. The city gets the bad image, but the suburbs are great.

[100%Michigan]

Ann Arbor, Lansing, East Lansing

[cjbailey]

Royal Oak, Ferndale and Birmingham are the most popular places for your age range. My adult children and all their friends tend to congregate in that area on weekends even if they don't live there. There are all kinds of housing choices from single family homes to condos, apartments, lofts- both old and new. They are close commutes, have walkable downtowns and good park systems. You might look for a sublet on Craig's list to check out an area without making a long commitment.Good luck.

[michigantraveler]

Give downtown Detroit a try. Taxes and insurance might bum people out and some ignorant people live in the city, but that can be said of anywhere in the burbs as well. Very cool lofts/apts in downtown. Easy to commute to the burbs should friends want to hang out in the Ferndale, Royal Oak, Bham type of cities. If you choose to live in burbs rather than the city, I suggest Ferndale. My husband would take the bus to work downtown before we were married and he lived in a cute apartment building near 9 Mile and Woodward. Bus shoots straight down Woodward (1/2 hour drive).

[cardwellave]

Originally Posted by 100%Michigan

Ann Arbor, Lansing, East Lansing

He's working in Warren. Those might be just a liiiiiiiittle too far.