Been meaning to ask this. Average temperature is around 52°F, so expect cold winters. Crime rate is something to consider — Detroit sits at 1,965.3 per 100K. Household incomes average around $39,575 in Detroit. Poverty rate is 26.9%, which is higher than I expected. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The city has invested a lot in new development. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level.
53 upvotes
24 Replies
Lily N.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The food scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Isaiah C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 43, moved here 3 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Old Town and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The outdoor recreation situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Tampa, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
38 upvotes
Gianna Carter
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Old Town) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
38 upvotes
Angel Parker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Michael E.
I work in tech here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
36 upvotes
Eva Gonzalez
haha yep pretty much
36 upvotes
Leah H.
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The nightlife is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
34 upvotes
Zoe S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 11 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
33 upvotes
Olivia R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Baltimore about 2 years ago. The main reasons were school and a fresh start.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are established, gas is tough.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Skylar Smith
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
32 upvotes
Jose C.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 4-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to Chicago it's improving.
32 upvotes
Brooks T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
28 upvotes
Dominic Jones
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 10 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Can feel isolated. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Asher Jackson
Public transit is improving here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
24 upvotes
Michael P.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
22 upvotes
Eleanor Peterson
I work in engineering here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is improving. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Joseph Mendoza
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
14 upvotes
Gerald Y.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Houston about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are competitive, gas is underrated.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Levi Foster
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
4 upvotes
Lucas M.
We moved here with our family and it was the best decision I ever made. Schools in Midtown area are challenging. Kids love it here.
3 upvotes
Roman Sanchez
Bought a house here in 2015 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up a bit since then.
3 upvotes
Ariana
We moved here with our family and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Schools in Midtown area are surprisingly good. Kids love it here.
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