Thorough, balanced report on Detroit...
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4/26/2006
Detroit is like a doughnut...lots of good stuff on the outside with a giant hole in the middle.
I've lived in the city (West side: Joy rd & Greenfield), and outside the city (Redford, Southfield, Sterling Heights, and now Macomb Twp.)for almost 30 years. The current existence of Detroit is dependent on the suburban areas, so I'll generalize them as well.
Detroit proper relies on the auto industry alone. There is no other significant industry within the city. The recent auto company cutbacks are making jobs tight. Many people are looking for jobs. If you have specialized education in a field, you'll be alright. But, don't come here expecting to just find a job.
The city has gone through years of corrupt gov. officials who win over the voters, then rob them blind. In addition, they have been resistant to working with the suburbs in any combined effort to revitalize the dying downtown. Likewise, the suburban city officials have had no real reason to join efforts with Detroit proper either. I must say that despite some questionable behavior the current mayor has made some improvements I'll mention later. There is a lot of ethnic diversity in and around detroit, but a lot of isolation of those groups. There is still a distinct Polish community in Hamtramak, a distinct Arabic/Chaldean population in the Dearborn area which is expanding. Detroit's downtown neighborhoods are mostly occupied by blacks. The suburbs are primarily white, but you'll see a variety of races in some of the more affluent communties...well-educated indians, asians, and some middle easterners.
There are a few places to go and cultural events on the river, but they're just ok. If you like boating, the detroit river can lead you out onto the Great Lakes, and to some nice stops in Canada. Detroit has its own little cruise line that will take you for a tour of Detroit's and Windsor's riverfront for a couple of hours. Some of the abandoned buildings are getting torn down, and a few buildings have gotten a face-lift. The tigers are still centered downtown, but in a new-nice stadium. The lions play in the new Ford Field which is also a nice downtown facility. The Redwings still play at 'the Joe' downtown (and play quite well). The pistons are centered outside of town though. There isn't much nightlife in Detroit. There is a casino and some fun restaurants in "Greek Town", but that's the extent of night-life in Detroit. A popular place near the city is Royal Oak. It ha
Me | Macomb, MI