Detroit, MI City Reviews

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Detroit, MI city reviews

  • AreaVibes Contributor reviewed Detroit, MI
  • November 23, 2011
Living in the D
City rating
Recommended for Couples
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I was born and have lived in Detroit for much of my life, I have a great affinity for it. I won't lie, sometimes loving the D is pretty hard. Like a brother that has a reputation for being trouble, I find myself at once defensive of my hometown, and protective of it with a fierce love, while still worrying about its future.

It is strange to live in a city that people are afraid of. Detroiters, unable to change public worldwide perception, often embrace it. We revel in the moment when someone tries to hide the shock or even fear on their face when we answer the question Where are you from? with Detroit.

We also smile with Cheshire grins when people turn their noses up at us. We know something they don't know. Detroit, despite its decay and obvious problems, remains a city with a pulse unlike any other. The architecture is amazing, with buildings unique in their design, dating back to the art deco period of the early 20th century. The restaurants boast an eclectic blend of tastes and flavors from around the world that reflect Detroit's population, with Greek, African, Italian, Irish, Middle Eastern and many other styles represented. The music scene out of Detroit is legendary. Motown is alive and well nightly with the sounds of talented local musicians of every genre spilling out of the nightclubs. Detroit is being revitalized, with a beautiful riverfront that houses shops, clubs, restaurants and sports venues. I am proud to live in Detroit and I love introducing visitors to its many charms.
Great Deals when visiting, and also to live there a if you have job
City rating
Recommended for Singles, Couples, Families
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I lived in Detroit from 1998 to 2005.

I moved to the Detroit area from a smaller city an hour and a half north of the city. I moved to a Detroit Suburb to attend College. I lived in two suburbs of Detroit and a high rise right downtown a few blocks from where the Detroit Tigers play at Comerica Park. So I have a varied base for my review. Detroit has a bad reputation, some of it rightly so, lets be honest. As is often the case the worst makes the news, and thats what people base their opinions on. There are a lot of empty rundown buildings in the area, and there are areas of the city that are not safe for outsiders or the residents for that matter. Im sure that all major cities suffer to some extent in the same way. The percentage of these bad areas just happens to be much higher. So when comparing I would say its not any worse or more dangerous, there is just more of it geographically.

In its heyday Detroit was the fastest growing city in the world, now its a city in decline or limbo depending on who you ask. I enjoyed my time there, as an architecture student I was intrigued by the decay and empty buildings. The arts community has embraced the current urban landscape, by converting old warehouses into co-op studios and galleries. They river front has been developed with a water fountain, walking and bike paths. You can also rent bikes right there on the river front. When in lived in downtown Detroit there were several new restaurants opening, filling in the vacant store fronts. It was exciting to see. I go back several times a year and I see that some have come and gone but I still see progress towards a more vibrant downtown.

I currently live in Chicago, IL and have visited several other major cities. Now standing on the outside, I think if you have a good job, Detroit or its suburbs is a good place to live. The key being a job, as the unemployment rate is one of the highest in the country. The cost of living there is really low compared to the other cities I have been to. Your money can go pretty far in the Detroit area. I see that the city is trying to draw new industries to the area, and I think if that happens and jobs are there, Detroit is prime for a rebound. I see a lot of potential; it just needs to find its momentum.

If you are looking to visit Detroit you will find low prices for good quality accommodations. The nightlife may not be all concentrated in one area like youre used to in other big cities, but it is there. A quick internet search is all it takes. While the Detroit area does have a bus system, from what I hear you cannot depend on it. You will need a car to get around.
Detroit, MI - Somebody Please Give Me A Reason To Go Back!!!
City rating
Recommended for no one it seems
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I was unlucky enough to visit the city of Detroit, MI in January/2000's. I'm not sure if it was the weather or the fact that my cab driver almost killed me on my ride to the hotel, but my first impression was not good. Once my brain thawed out from the cold, I finally got my bearings. I stayed at the Marriott (400 Renaissance Dr). The hotel was the highlight of my trip to Detroit. It was located right on the Riverwalk, which as you may have guessed, is right on the water. There was a great bar/restaurant that was always busy at night and served good snacks. The best part was a 5 story atrium that looked out over the water. Overall, a great hotel for the price (under $100/night).

The city of Detroit itself is very industrial in my opinion. There are many large buildings, most with as much character as a shrub. If you're looking for good food in Detroit, you might be on a wild goose chase. Aside from the local McDonalds and Burger king, I couldn't find anywhere decent to eat. I did visit the Detroit Institute of Arts which had a great art collection. But other than that there were not many attractions in Detroit that I could see. The local residents seemed unwilling to have any kind of conversation, even when asked for directions.

Overall, Detroit didn't provide a great experience. Maybe I'm missing something, but someone please give me a reason to go back!
  • AreaVibes Contributor reviewed Detroit, MI
  • April 29, 2010
A Guide Through the City of Detroit, Michigan
City rating
Recommended for Singles, Couples
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Separating facts from myths about the city of Detroit is sometimes a very hard thing to do. Yes, there are some very poor neighborhoods with a great deal of poverty-stricken residents out of work and looking for housing. There is also some of the best nightlife that you will be able to find in the continental United States. Detroit has also become the mecca for multicultural living, as people from all walks of life have decided to call the city of Detroit their home.

That being said, there is also the bad side to a city like Detroit, as there always is with larger cities in the United States. The amount of pollution in the air makes it difficult to breathe at various points throughout the day. The sheer number of factories that make up the Detroit workforce makes this an evident issue. Also, transportation around the city of Detroit has a lot to be desired. City buses are fairly scarce, which makes walking around Detroit seem like an arduous, unpleasant task.