Born and raised Detroit. Never left. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.
Median income here is around which {inc_feel}. Property values in Midtown went up 9% last year alone.
What I like:
- Great food scene
- Nice downtown area
- Good airport
- Pet-friendly city
What I don't:
- Rising rent
- Chain restaurants everywhere
- Hard to date here
- Not much to do late at night
People here are friendlier than I expected coming from San Francisco. Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.
110 upvotes
30 Replies
John T.
Been here 9 years, can vouch for this.
49 upvotes
Gabriella Perez
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Mexicantown, Corktown, and currently in Brush Park. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Mexicantown: /mo for a 1-bed
- Corktown: about /mo
- Brush Park: /mo but excellent
Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Detroit really clicks. Feel free to ask specifics.
49 upvotes
Aaliyah Reyes
I walk my dog through Midtown every day and The weather took some getting used to but I actually love it now.. The vibe has really grown in the past couple years.
48 upvotes
Leo W.
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If affordability matters most, then yeah Detroit is great. But if you need beach access, might want to look at Downtown instead.
47 upvotes
Gabriel M.
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive Detroit guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Rosedale Park: quiet, tree-lined streets, families
- Corktown: solid value for the location
Tier 2 (best value):
- University District: great community feel
- Palmer Woods: good schools, safe streets
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: excellent compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.. Detroit is lively but it's not for everyone. If you value quiet over walkability, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Omaha.
Good luck!
46 upvotes
Cameron
Homeowner in West Village since 2016. Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car.. Property values have increased significantly which is surprising honestly.
45 upvotes
Samantha W.
Born here, left for 10 years, came back. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.. The city has grown a lot.
45 upvotes
Natalie Torres
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If good schools matters most, then yeah Detroit is great. But if you need diversity, might want to look at Boston-Edison instead.
42 upvotes
Beverly H.
This is the way.
42 upvotes
Noah Phillips
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Brush Park vs Bagley: completely different vibes. Brush Park is more underrated with artists and creative types. Bagley is lively and better for remote workers.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Brush Park. In Bagley you can find stuff for /mo.
The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}.. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.
40 upvotes
Jordan Foster
Just to add another data point - we moved from St. Louis about 9 years ago. Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. No regrets so far.
39 upvotes
Elijah Allen
Nah.
39 upvotes
Reagan R.
Brush Park local here. The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.. If you need specific recommendations feel free to ask.
38 upvotes
Douglas R.
My experience has been different actually. I found that I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. Maybe it depends on which part of Detroit you're in.
34 upvotes
true_christian68
Not to be negative but the schools are inconsistent. I still like living here overall though. Just keeping it real.
33 upvotes
Danielle P.
Word.
33 upvotes
Eli Mitchell
Seconding this.
30 upvotes
Kaylee Kim
Hard disagree.
29 upvotes
Greyson Collins
Weekend warrior here - Detroit is excellent for fishing. The {industry} scene here is really picking up.
27 upvotes
Everett Mitchell
Haven't experienced that personally.
27 upvotes
Josiah Hernandez
Interesting take.
25 upvotes
Emmett Kim
Can confirm.
23 upvotes
Aiden Gomez
Great question. Here's my honest take after 6 years:
The good:
- Affordable compared to coastal cities
- Good parks and trails
- Active community events
The not-so-good:
- Road conditions
- Limited diversity in some areas
Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. I'd say for remote workers, Detroit is underrated.
23 upvotes
Gregory M.
I walk my dog through Midtown every day and Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. The vibe has really evolved in the past couple years.
22 upvotes
Sophie
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
West Village vs Eastern Market: completely different vibes. West Village is more great with a suburban feel with urban access. Eastern Market is quiet and better for students.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in West Village. In Eastern Market you can find stuff for /mo.
Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.
18 upvotes
Henry S.
Noted.
17 upvotes
Harold P.
As someone who lives in Brush Park, The airport connections are {adj} which matters if you travel.. That said, the suburbs are a different story.
13 upvotes
native_adeline27
Homeowner in West Village since 2022. I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. Property values have been flat which is surprising honestly.
13 upvotes
Lydia Baker
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If career growth matters most, then yeah Detroit is great. But if you need walkability, might want to look at Mexicantown instead.
11 upvotes
Lydia Y.
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Rosedale Park, Grandmont, and currently in Corktown. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Rosedale Park: /mo for a 3-bed
- Grandmont: about /mo
- Corktown: /mo but great
The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, Detroit really clicks. Hope that helps!
All Countries
