[Evie Jayne]

I'm an author, living on the other side of the planet. I'm currently writing an urban fantasy novella based in Hazel Park. I'm wanting general impressions to give my work authenticity. EG: how wide are the streets, what are the buildings like. How heavy is the traffic? What do people drive or do they walk/cycle more often? What grows wild around the area. What sounds would I expect to hear, scents would I smell. Common birds? What stands out about the city? Are there many dogs/cats etc. How often does it rain? Is it a place that feels gloomy and dark in the rain or fresh and crisp. Are hot days still or generally breezy/windy etc. Basically anything that will help to get the feel of the place right would be welcome. Thanks in advance, Evie.

[belleislerunner]

It used to be a blue collar town, small tract homes, think Nickled and Dimed type setting.

The proximity to Royal Oak, Ferndale etc is slowly trickling in and it's gentrifying like many inner ring suburbs.

Mabel Gray just opened there - Rehab, new menu delight Mabel Gray diners in Hazel Park

[Evie Jayne]

Thank you.

[Fubarbundy]

Originally Posted by Evie Jayne

I'm an author, living on the other side of the planet. I'm currently writing an urban fantasy novella based in Hazel Park. I'm wanting general impressions to give my work authenticity. Basically anything that will help to get the feel of the place right would be welcome. Thanks in advance, Evie.

How wide are the streets, what are the buildings like?
Most are regular small suburban side streets, main roads are two lane in both directions with a center turn lane. Buildings are mostly non-descript from small industrial type to strip shopping centers. Homes are modest and cookie cutter (look alike).

How heavy is the traffic?
Side streets have minimal traffic, main roads have much more but never enough to wait through two cycles at any given red light.

What do people drive or do they walk/cycle more often?
Mostly kids and teens would walk or bike, except in winter. Everyone else drives what they can afford, which are mostly older model of all type (small sedans to big pickup trucks and SUV's).

What grows wild around the area?
Hmm, dandelions? It's so shabby suburban, the word wild really does not apply.

What sounds would I expect to hear, scents would I smell?
Occasional siren, or loud thump thump from car audio. Rarely a small plane or helicopter overhead. The smell of exhaust is common, mixed with cooking aromas from fast food places.

Common birds?
Sparrows, crows, cardinals, blue jays, and robins (except winter). Stray seagull from Lake St Clair.

What stands out about the city?
Nothing, the sheer drabness is mind numbing.

Are there many dogs/cats etc.?
Most folks have them as pets.

How often does it rain?
Moderately, except in winter, of course.

Is it a place that feels gloomy and dark in the rain or fresh and crisp?
Tend to lean toward the former than the latter.

Are hot days still or generally breezy/windy etc.?
Mostly still and humid, but it does get windy when it's stormy.

[Fubarbundy]

Actually, do want to add one venue that does stand out but inadvertently slipped my mind in the post above. It's the harness race track, at the corner Dequindre and 10 Mile...

More specifically, the rooms and stables behind the track. Always wondered what the lives of those involved with that sport were like, but was never interested enough to find out.

[Evie Jayne]

Thanks so much Fubarbundy. That is exactly what I needed and strangely, just how I pictured it. Appreciate the time you took to answer.

[Republic of Michigan]

Originally Posted by Evie Jayne

I'm an author, living on the other side of the planet. I'm currently writing an urban fantasy novella based in Hazel Park. I'm wanting general impressions to give my work authenticity. EG: how wide are the streets, what are the buildings like. How heavy is the traffic? What do people drive or do they walk/cycle more often? What grows wild around the area. What sounds would I expect to hear, scents would I smell. Common birds? What stands out about the city? Are there many dogs/cats etc. How often does it rain? Is it a place that feels gloomy and dark in the rain or fresh and crisp. Are hot days still or generally breezy/windy etc. Basically anything that will help to get the feel of the place right would be welcome. Thanks in advance, Evie.

Look at Googlemaps street view. Oakland County is a pretty upscale area except in a few areas (Hazel Park, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township (not Royal Oak City), and Pontiac.) I would bet that some people may not have a pure Metro Detroit accent but a little southern twang mixed in - I may be mistaken but my understanding is that many people from the south settled downriver and in Hazel Park.

[Fubarbundy]

Originally Posted by Evie Jayne

Thanks so much Fubarbundy. That is exactly what I needed and strangely, just how I pictured it. Appreciate the time you took to answer.

You're welcome.

As a disclaimer should say that even though I grew up in Pleasant Ridge and went to school in Ferndale, haven't lived in the area since '97. My responses are thus dated to some extent, but can't imagine things have changed that much.

PS: One more tidbit... as kids in winter we sometimes used to trudge down Woodward Hts past Hilton and sled at the hill in the park behind the junior high school, pretty sure that's Hazel Park and not Ferndale.

[slowdawg]

I have lived in HP for over a decade now. Its pretty much an old, small blue-collar city. Many 1920s-1950s homes on 40 foot wide lots. However, there has been "infill" housing-new houses in old neighborhoods. Typically,2 story houses with detached garages crammed onto thin lots.There is only 1 tall building, which is an apartment. Most businesses are independent, except for things like fast food (which tend to be privately-owned franchise stores) and CVS.
There is very little wildlife in Hazel Park, largely because it is so built up. Mostly squirrels, the occasional Opossum, and there are problems with wild rats.
Not much bicycling. Most people drive, and those who dont have a license often own a low-power moped.
Lots of dogs and cats-and, quite honestly, a problem with strays.
You'll hear helicopters a lot. Interstate 75 runs through the city so traffic copters fly over town a lot.

[Evie Jayne]

Thanks everybody. Getting the feel now.