Relocating from CT to Detroit (school, suburbs, districts)

[hockeywidow]

Originally Posted by srussell252

I'm not too familiar with Outer Drive near that stretch. I generally hated driving on Outer Drive because it twists and turns so much, although I didn't drive it much north/east of I-96. I generally took 94 to Moross when going to GP (I came from Dearborn).

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying the area so far! Another little known gem is the Cadieux Cade in Detroit - it is primarily known for feather bowling and sometimes their live music. It may be a bit more known now as it was a stop on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations TV show not too long ago.

Detroit has alot of French heritage from the days it was settled which is why you are seeing the French street names.

Enjoy the remaining summer days! And don't forget to check out one of the many Apple Orchards/Cider Mills once the fall season arrives!

Thanks! I have driven by Cadieux Cafe many times already -- I seem to take Cadieux to 94 from where I am.

Haven't gotten to Dearborn yet, but will soon to see the Ford Museum and GV.

And thanks Michigan83 -- we probably won't get up north until the fall, but I think that will be just as beautiful. Still trying to get acclimated here in the Detroit area. It would be a shame if we went up north before going to Eastern Market!

[and the]

I'm going to have to use French pronunciations of these roads! Keeping the Connecticut in me alive lol!

Probably not a good idea, people will think you're not from around here at best or a snob at worst....If you're brave enough to go to the Dakota Inn at night, the rest of the city isn't much worse than that area. You should also check out Fort Wayne before they sell it or tear it down.....It's on Jefferson near the Ambassador Bridge. Sometimes it's open for certain events during the summer. Also check out Sweetest Heart of Mary Church near Eastern Market, not too far from Roma Cafe. And check out Ste. Anne's church near the Ambassador bridge. Google Fr. Gabriel Richard. He's entombed in the church, which is the second oldest Catholic parish in the country. Second only to St. Augustine. They have records that go back to Cadillac's time (not the car). The current building is the 8th building the church as been in since the founding of Detroit and was built, I think, In 1888. Fr. Richard is actually in a glass case in the small chapel, not the main church (you can't see him, he's in his casket in the glass case..but it's sort of broken up so you can see parts of him in there..sort of....)

The Ford Fairlane Estate is worth a look if you're going to Dearborn, as is Henry's previous house in the Boston/Edison area. And while you're there, check out the Piquette Plant off of Woodward where they made the first big run of Model T's before the big Highland Park plant. Call ahead, there are car displays and tours in there but they're not open all the time.

Try the original Buddy's Pizza in Detroit at Conant and McNichols. I-94 was built to connect Willow Run and other smaller factories with Detroit if I recall correctly. Check out the Yankee Air Force Museum at Willow Run Airport. This is where the B-17 "Yankee Lady" is based and where Henry Ford made B-24's during WWII. You can get a ride in the B-17, a B-25 or a C-47. They have various other airplanes there and just had a great airshow with EIGHT flying B-17's. They also have displays relative to the days when Henry Ford was making B-24's there in incredible numbers.

[michigan83]

Originally Posted by hockeywidow

PS - What's up with the flat "A" 's? Sorry folks, I'm going to have to use French pronunciations of these roads! Keeping the Connecticut in me alive lol!

I'm not sure if this is the best approach to take... Detroiters have just "Americanized" those names, the same as others have done with thousands of town and street names all across the U.S.

The best example I can think of is Los Angeles. Yes, Americans are technically pronouncing it wrong. But I'm not about to go to L.A. and start calling it "Lose Anheles". If we tried to pronounce every "borrowed" name as it was intended in the language of origin, it would cause mass confusion all over the U.S. and probably shut down the economy.

[DetroitTrust]

I haven't read all the posts or all your questions. But I am born and raised in Detroit. Make sure you check out my favorites places in the "D" and metro "D"; the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, African American Museum, the Bed & Breakfasts on Ferry Street, Ford Field, Comerica Park, the Fox Theatre, International Auto Show, Detroit Sympony Orchestra (went they come off strike), Detroit Opera House, Cranbrook, Renaissance Center (go to the restaurant on the 70+ floor) its also GM's headquarters, Greektown, Casinos, Meadowbrook, Detroit Zoo, Metro Parks, Guardian Bldg (architecture is awesome), Campus Martius with a wonderful outside skating rink, Fisher Building & Fisher Theatre for Broadway shows in New Center Area, Eastern Market (check out the wine shop while you're there, Mexicantown, Ambassador Bridge, Canada, Belle Isle (early in the day) don't forget to stop at the Nature Center while you're there, Royal Oak for lively nightlife, Somerset Mall, Great Lakes Crossing (shopping mall), Chrysler Headquaters in Auburn Hills, Ford Headquarters in Dearborn, Arab-American Museum in Dearborn, Partridge Creek Shopping Mall, when you travel up north make sure you go to Traverse City and the Leelanau Pennisula (awesome), I'm gettg tired of typing the Detroit and the Metro area has alot to offer. Please stay with us and enjoy being here. Don't forget the Motown Museum!

[hockeywidow]

Thanks DetroitTrust! The Motown Museum was one of the first places I went -- took my parents when they were here to visit & my three year old. We were all singing along with the tour guide (who was amazing).

Living in Grosse Pointe Park allows us such great access to downtown. We've been to the Whitney, the Fisher (for Rock of Ages, a little more reserved crowd than when I saw it in NYC), we split season tickets to the Red Wings, and my husband went to the Thanksgiving Day Lions-Pats game. This Saturday we finally made it to Pewabic Pottery. And we have a family membership to the Zoo.

We are slowly making the restaurant rounds. Since we have two little girls, they either come with us, or we hunt for a sitter. They love American Coney Island already.

I love Eastern Market, and even though it is freezing out, I'm tempted to head down for some McClure's pickles & Zingermann's cheese before I drive out to CT for Christmas. And I found a great Traverse City Reisling that I should stock up on too -- I brought it to a friend & her husband in Chicago and he writes a wine column for Chicago Magazine, even he enjoyed it!

We are very happy with our move so far, and I think that the longer we are here and the more we can explore, the happier we will be. Don't worry, we are spreading the news that there is much to enjoy still in the D. Despite the challenges that lie ahead for the city, I feel that there are people here that are so committed to seeing it come back. Many GP-ers feel that way, esp. those who grew up here.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[detwahDJ]

If you haven't been north on vacation yet, the place to be is Glen Arbor to Leland, the Sleeping Bear. It's unfortunately not on Bing Maps birdseye view to pre-explore, but it really should be.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (U.S. National Park Service)
The Official Website of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitors Bureau
Glen Lake Chamber
Leland Michigan Chamber of Commerce :: Fishtown, Lake Michigan & Sleeping Bear Dunes

[michsnowlvr]

Originally Posted by hockeywidow

Thanks DetroitTrust! The Motown Museum was one of the first places I went -- took my parents when they were here to visit & my three year old. We were all singing along with the tour guide (who was amazing).

Living in Grosse Pointe Park allows us such great access to downtown. We've been to the Whitney, the Fisher (for Rock of Ages, a little more reserved crowd than when I saw it in NYC), we split season tickets to the Red Wings, and my husband went to the Thanksgiving Day Lions-Pats game. This Saturday we finally made it to Pewabic Pottery. And we have a family membership to the Zoo.

We are slowly making the restaurant rounds. Since we have two little girls, they either come with us, or we hunt for a sitter. They love American Coney Island already.

I love Eastern Market, and even though it is freezing out, I'm tempted to head down for some McClure's pickles & Zingermann's cheese before I drive out to CT for Christmas. And I found a great Traverse City Reisling that I should stock up on too -- I brought it to a friend & her husband in Chicago and he writes a wine column for Chicago Magazine, even he enjoyed it!

We are very happy with our move so far, and I think that the longer we are here and the more we can explore, the happier we will be. Don't worry, we are spreading the news that there is much to enjoy still in the D. Despite the challenges that lie ahead for the city, I feel that there are people here that are so committed to seeing it come back. Many GP-ers feel that way, esp. those who grew up here.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

So glad that you are enjoying your new life in the Detroit area, congrats!!! And kudos to spreading the good word

[Duluth07]

I'm kind of reading around these discussions because I've visited Windsor, ON so many times and am looking to make my permanent home in Canada. However, I would prefer to complete my RN before making that move, and have glanced over U of Detroit Mercy. If I understand right, they have a program which trains you to work in both the US and Canada. I'm not sure if it's a joint licensure or just learning different technicalities. I'm gay, single and have no kids (or money!). I live in the far north (Duluth, Minnesota; a few hours from the nation's icebox (International Falls). I'm most definitely a downtown person.

My only experience with true urban living (Duluth/Superior has about 200k people) is living in downtown Minneapolis. I've been told by many people that downtown Minneapolis and downtown Detroit are very, very different from each other but I could never get an explanation to what they meant (chime in on this one?). Living downtown in Minneapolis actually saved me a lot of money because I didn't need a car, and even Duluth has excellent transit. Windsor has a bus service that's 'okay' but I'm not much familiar with Detroit, aside from the two marathons I've run. I do LOVE the city. I don't know why. I just feel a strong connection that I didnt feel in Minneapolis; all the systems analysts and MBA types and attorneys and CEO's have made downtown living for the very wealthy, and there is no middle income housing at all. I did look at the Fyfe Apartments downtown; during my time there for the marathon I just didn't get a chance to stop by. So advice would be appreciated, particularly for someone who wants to be in close proximity to a GOOD fitness center, transit and access to Transit Windsor.

Thanks everyone and have a good holiday and even better '11!

Jon
Duluth, Minnesota

[detwahDJ]

Originally Posted by Duluth07

I'm kind of reading around these discussions because I've visited Windsor, ON so many times and am looking to make my permanent home in Canada. However, I would prefer to complete my RN before making that move, and have glanced over U of Detroit Mercy. If I understand right, they have a program which trains you to work in both the US and Canada. I'm not sure if it's a joint licensure or just learning different technicalities. I'm gay, single and have no kids (or money!). I live in the far north (Duluth, Minnesota; a few hours from the nation's icebox (International Falls). I'm most definitely a downtown person.

I'm a former Detroiter who's moved away and about to go back. My knowledge is not as current as it should be in order to help you. I have a great knowledge of the city up until 13 years ago. You should check out the many threads on this forum by the city's present-day downtown denizens.
Just search "detroit", "corktown", and you'll find them. See postings by ForStarters and others who actually live downtown. If you stay on this thread they MAY find you...

[Wolfdog17]

Detroit is terrible
I would check out Ypsi or Ann Anne Arbor