Moved here last year for (suprise) a job.
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8/29/2006
I have lived in numerous cities. I grew up in Pittsburgh and lived in Atlanta, Cleveland, Florida, and a small town in central PA. I have been to most major cities in the US. When I met my future wife and learned she lived in Detroit, I was not looking forward to having to move here. After finding a great job, I did. It turns out it wasn't as bad as I originally thought it would be but a lot of the stereotypes do exist.
The main city and close surrounding suburbs are in a state of plight. The city is an eyesore. Especially compared to similar cities in the "Rust Belt" like Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Not that those cities are pretty (Pittsburgh is now nice), but Detroit takes the cake in unsightliness. This is contrasted by Windor, Canada, right across the river which is a beautiful and nice town. Some of the surrounding suburbs are nice and the culture is definitely diverse.
I was proud at how nice downtown looked during the Super Bowl. But the abandoned and boarded up building need to be knocked down.
"white flight" is still in effect as people move further and further out in the surrounding suburbs.
I really don't see a quick turn around or simple solution for this city.
I must say the strong points are the areas around the new stadiums downtown, Royal Oak, Greektown for nightlife. Housing is reasonable in the burbs. It is culturally diverse (I believe Dearborn is home to the largest Arab population outside of the Middle East). But I guess, depending on your tastes, that could be a positive or a negative.
Negatives are crime, unsightly landscape in the metro area and close suburbs, job market (mainly because of the auto industry), auto insurance costs, corrupt mayor. Not enough areas for night life (like the Cleveland Flats or Pittsburgh's Strip District and South Side).
Would I recommend coming here? Only if you received a great job offer not in the Auto industry and moved to a suburb.
Rob | New Boston, MI