Detroit Relocation Help

[WhiteRhino]

Contemplating a promotion that would cause me to relocate to the downtown Detroit area. I know ZERO about the Detroit housing...or Detroit in general. Can ya'll rattle off some suburbs that are the safest? Preferably with their own police dept who rules the city with an iron fist. I'm looking to spend in the neighborhood of 400-500k for a house. It's just me...no kids, so school ratings arent an issue. I hear Troy and maybe Auburn Hills? Are these too far of a commute to downtown Detroit? I was hoping for somewhere within say a 35 min commute of downtown. What about the other way toward Ann Arbor? Any help is appreciated.

[rmagoo57]

Depends which freeway you want to use to commute. Auburn Hills/Troy/Rochester Hills area is nice so you'll need to use I-75. Ann Arbor area you'll need I-94. I'm most familiar with the western subs - Farmington Hills/Northville/Novi - you'll use I-96 or the Lodge/10 to commute. I would target Northville (Six Mile and Beck/Sheldon area is nice) which is close to 35 mins to downtown and the police are on their toes! Good luck and dm me if needed - been here 65 years!

[malice146]

Grosse points are nice. Older homes but well maintained and close to downtown. Birmingham and Bloomfield hills are really nice also and close to downtown but housing prices maybe a little higher than you want to spend. More “trendy” places are Royal Oak and the area around it. As a general rule the further north of 8 mile you are the safer it gets. Further out Macomb Twp, Shelby Twp and Rochester are also nice. Happy hunting!


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[HL65]

Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham great areas. I used to have a in office there so would visit quite a bit. Can’t go wrong in either of those locations.

[Tools]

Seems that the company would have recommendations and know the area yu should be looking at.

[DocHorton]

My advice is don't move to Detroit. It might be the worst city in the US, but SF is giving it a run for its money.

You live in Texas....going to Detroit is a serious step down. Stay in God's country. Turn down the promotion...thank me later.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Tools

Seems that the company would have recommendations and know the area yu should be looking at.

I believe it’s the US Gov’t.
So relo is pretty much DIY.

As for the question, maybe Windsor (across the River) is better for living near Motown? Not sure how your employer would react.

But the view from a fairly small safer city towards the Big D (even near the tunnel) is nice…




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[WhiteRhino]

Thx for all the help so far. Its given me a few places to narrow down my search . It’s in fact with the govt, so relocation costs will be covered. Living across the river in Canada isn’t allowed …. They have their own issues I hear .

[Chewbacca]

Find the priciest AirBnB and use that zip code working outwards to know what’s a good and can attract rents. That’s what my CRE lawyer and RE investor group does.

Fwiw, I’d also go long on the Detroit area. Has all the fundamentals and everyone’s distracted with Miami and Austin.

[TswaneNguni]

Searching for Sugarman .

[George58]

Grosse pointe Farms or shores

[1William]

Possibly one of the worst major cities in the U.S. in all categories if you believe government statistics. I would not go if that is a choice, if I had to go, I would rent and not buy and I would be looking to get out as soon as possible. The weather is enough to eliminate this as an option not to mention all the other issues. Good luck and let us know how this plays out.

[Redfoot]

I grew up in a town that bordered Detroit, and have worked in the city since the age of 14. I can agree with everyone here- Detroit is rough, can be extremely dangerous and it is overall a depressing state of affairs with the local government, schools, health, and general well being of the populace.

All that being said, it is definitely a town that has heart. Prior to COVID the downtown areas saw a huge rebound and (albeit controversial) gentrification that improved the housing, brought in new businesses and created a booming food scene. COVID squashed a lot of that progress, and it has been a rough two years.

Many of the cities recommended here are great options. In my opinion, Grosse Pointe is washed up- still tons of old money and mansions, but the true wealth left town long ago.

Some towns not mentioned that are worth a look-
Harrison Township, Chesterfield, New Baltimore and St. Clair Shores if you like being near water
Clarkston is an awesome city, but about 45 minutes from downtown Detroit

Let me know if you have any specific questions and good luck!

[Blansky]

I've only been to that area once but Ann Arbor is a college town which has it's pluses and minuses. I once had a long distance relationship with a chick from there.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I've only been to that area once but Ann Arbor is a college town which has it's pluses and minuses. I once had a long distance relationship with a chick from there.

That chick was a linebacker and his name was Dale (not that there’s anything wrong with that), all based on your old thread from many years ago ‘My Miss-again Michigan summer with Dale’.

(I can’t keep correcting you)

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

That chick was a linebacker and his name was Dale (not that there’s anything wrong with that), all based on your old thread from many years ago ‘My Miss-again Michigan summer with Dale’.

(I can’t keep correcting you)

Dale was a wide receiver. And is now married to Dean Martin one of the best Deans Michigan every had.

Those were the days. We thought they'd never end.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Blansky

Dale was a wide receiver. And is now married to Dean Martin one of the best Deans Michigan every had.

Those were the days. We thought they'd never end.

Right. Wide. Receiver. Stop with this self aggrandizing nonsense!

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Right. Wide. Receiver. Stop with this self aggrandizing nonsense!

Sorry. Reminiscing does that to me, .....hairball.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

Right. Wide. Receiver. Stop with this self aggrandizing nonsense!

Originally Posted by Blansky

Sorry. Reminiscing does that to me, .....hairball.

It’s getting ugly in here!

[904VT]

Good luck in your move and congrats!

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

It’s getting ugly in here!

Keep DMing me replies.

[MDMH]

Originally Posted by WhiteRhino

Living across the river in Canada isn’t allowed …. They have their own issues I hear .

Im sorry what are those? Compared to Detroit?

[330ci]

Originally Posted by MDMH

Im sorry what are those? Compared to Detroit?

Well for starters its full of Canadians




Detroit really gets a tough reputation based on statistics alone. Its rough in alot of areas, but its also extremely rich in history and diversity. There are alot of booming areas inside the city that are nice and safe but I'd likely choose a suburb near Novi myself. All of the highways going in and out of the city suck during rush hour from my experience. Which really kind of gives you the option of finding which suburb suits your personal interest the best.

[train-time]

Seems to me that if I were considering this move, I would go there for a visit and spend the maximum amount of time possible to get the experience. I haven't been to Detroit in some time, but I would imagine that moving to Detroit from Texas would be a bit of a culture shock. Once you have experienced the area, then toss in the winter to the equation before reaching a final conclusion.

[wrxdev]

Windsor, Ontario

[TheVTCGuy]

I lived in the Detroit area for several years (when I was a kid). Detroit gets a terrible rap, but I can personally say it is a city full of heart. The areas around 15 mile and Woodward, Birmingham and Troy are the areas I would live.

[rlj676]

I live in Washington Twp and love it. Commute would be too far to downtown. Northern Macomb County is very nice w some lower taxes than Oakland county and the types of folks who don’t vote for more taxes… but mostly too far a drive.

. Maybe Auburn Hills near 75 would be best bet or some of the west side spots like Novi etc.

Most all of the recommended cities are going to be safe and nice. However you’d want to visit as they all have very different flavors. You might get a good feel for potential neighbors “style” coming with election season coming up lol. Also note the suburbs have a ton of diversity and many areas/neighborhoods will be predominately one group (Indian, Chaldean, etc) which can be fun but maybe a change from Tx.

[Mifune]

Originally Posted by WhiteRhino

Detroit Relocation Help...

get your CCW

[4 Aussies]

West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, and Birmingham. Stay North of 12 mile.

[espanol]

Originally Posted by WhiteRhino

Contemplating a promotion that would cause me to relocate to the downtown Detroit area. I know ZERO about the Detroit housing...or Detroit in general. Can ya'll rattle off some suburbs that are the safest? Preferably with their own police dept who rules the city with an iron fist. I'm looking to spend in the neighborhood of 400-500k for a house. It's just me...no kids, so school ratings arent an issue. I hear Troy and maybe Auburn Hills? Are these too far of a commute to downtown Detroit? I was hoping for somewhere within say a 35 min commute of downtown. What about the other way toward Ann Arbor? Any help is appreciated.

Would recommend renting first. No reason to buy yet unless you see yourself staying.