Reviews & Comments
Flat Rock, MI
Flat Rock May be the Best in a Bad Area -
12/12/2018I give Flat Rock 4 stars out of 5. And let me say that, by saying this: "I _ _ came to HATE _ _ living in Michigan". For a number of reasons, which I will enumerate. However, if you are moving to Downriver in Michigan? Flat Rock may be your best bet. Either Flat Rock? Or Wyandotte. And though I have lived in Wyandotte (and enjoyed the city immensely) ... I have more experience in Flat Rock.
Our family was originally from the Tug Fork region of West Virginia. Actually, MANY who live downriver, were originally from the South, who moved North in the 1970's in search of Jobs. Thus, Taylor Michigan is oft-referred by Michiganders as "Taylor-Tucky". My family, was one such family. And we eventually settled in Flat Rock.
Downriver itself (Taylor, Southgate, Riverview, Wyandotte, Lincoln Park, Brownstown, Dearborn), is an aging Surburb of Detroit, and I do mean ... aging. The infrastructure is crumbling as of 2018. Having visited most of the U.S. and lived abroad? The roads in Downriver Michigan are some of the worst you will find in the country. BEYOND AWFUL. Many have to replace ball-joints and wheel bearings on their NEWER vehicles ... due to the poor condition of the roads.
Now Flat Rock? Flat Rock lay on the outskirts of downriver. Don't get me wrong. The roads are still bad. But Flat Rock still enjoys some of the "rural" nature of Michigan as a small town, with some of the convenience of a being only a 15 minute drive to Detroit via I-75? And at the same time ... just 15 minutes from the Detroit Channel and Lake Erie; which are especially enjoyable in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Or, if you want to visit some of the conveniences of Downriver? The Parks of Wyandotte? The restaurants of Dearborn? That's only a short-drive away as well. But at the same time? You get to live in a smaller town, by living in Flat Rock. I honestly think both Flat Rock, and Wyandotte, are about the best cities you will find to live ... in the entire downriver Metro-Detroit area.
It's been some time since I attended Flat Rock High School. And though it is a small school? The teaching was some of the best you will find in the STATE. I cannot say for certain whether or not that has remained the case, but I have heard from neighbors that it has.
Now the following is DEEPLY HELD PERSONAL OPINION. But the Socialistic / Democratic nature of Detroit has somewhat ruined downriver in recent years. Detroit had a reputation of being an abusive regional partner to ALL surrounding cities. And as it is such a left-leaning place? The people at times in the entirety of the downriver area? Feel that your personal decisions are their business. Somewhat indicative of the left-leaning politics of the region. These are the reasons I moved away from Michigan. But hey ... maybe that's your bag.
However OUTSIDE of downriver and Detroit? Michigan is a very conservative state. And therefore in Flat Rock, laying as it does on the outskirts? Though you get busy-bodies from time to time? Flat Rock ... being closer to a "rural" area ... is a little better off in this regard. It's a small, friendly town. People CAN feel that your personal decisions are their business? But at the same time, they also tend to 'butt-out' as well.
One thing you will have to get used to, if you are from outside the area?
Are the Winters.
They can be absolutely, and totally .... _ _ _ BRUTAL _ _ _
In more ways than one.
It's not uncommon in January / February, to reach temperatures that I simply refer to as "Frozen Death". The Red Planet ... at it's equator, is warmer. Temperatures of -20 F, or -15 F. On the rare occasion (Once every ten years or so)? You will have to deal with temperatures that are -35 F to -50 F. BRUTALLY cold. "Frozen Death" cold. One such winter? You could not talk properly if you were outside, as the muscles and skin in your face, would start freezing up.
I'm not even remotely kidding.
And then, there is the "Winter Grey".
Quite literally, Seattle has more Sunny days, than Michigan in December / January / February / March. Days, upon days, upon weeks, of never seeing the Sun. Grey ... grey ... and more grey.
Of course, that is a negative. The spring-time in Michigan (as well as the Fall) is BEYOND BEAUTIFUL. The Lakes are nearby. These are gorgeous.
Personally? I had to move away. I never plan on returning. The people ... with their busy-body nature in the entirety of downriver with it's Yank "aloofness / rudeness" ... and the BRUTAL winters? It just got to a point, where Michigan was completely unbearable for my family. We moved South, and we are much happier for it.
And bear in mind, many people refer to Downriver as the "Armpit of Michigan". Michigan itself is a beautiful state, when you leave the Detroit Metro-area. But SE Michigan has aged, and aged poorly. Royal Oak, Grosse-Point, Wyandotte and Flat Rock? Are about the only gleaming gems left in what is a very bad, and depressing area.
Knoxville, TN
re: Listen to a local...
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12/12/2018Well said ... Especially "Of course this process isn't instantaneous. Yes, there is still a fair amount of tradition that can lead to some stigma and an otherwise retrogressive view of certain things. Yes, there are people here that won't get along with anyone that isn't a copy pasta version of themselves. But these people are in literally EVERY city on Earth, and you can't avoid them. This isn't as much of a problem in Knoxville as everyone on here is suggesting. I think that perhaps many of these people came here expecting to see this in action, thus, are more prone to either see it even when it doesn't exist, or likely to notice and point it out more when it happens versus when it doesn't happen" .... B I N G O ... Exactly.
Knoxville, TN
re: If you are thinking of moving here, or an
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12/12/2018Ok, so this review states that the individual was originally from the South. Well ... if you WERE from the South, it's pretty well understood, that I can be from Tug Fork West Virginia, and West Virginians from a holler near Charleston are GOING to view me as an outsider. It takes a bit of work, of knowing ACTUAL southern ways, to be accepted. Why? Because typically individuals move in and when people act in a manner contrary to what they feel? The first thought is to blame the natives. Southerns, over the centuries, have learned this is pretty typical of a Yank attitude, and sorry ... we just don't want to be close to outsiders for that reason. It's even worse when an individual states "What they paid them" (In dollars) as if somehow that should BUY loyalty? Again, very typical of a Yanks attitude. And sorry, if you're not familiar with the rage that lies in the heart of most Southerners (I think it's genetic, being from the South myself) ... absolute complete and total anger (which leads to the aforementioned hostility and depression) ... then I have to question if the person really is from the South, or understands it. Now ... if you decide to move in, and you understand it'll take 5 or 6 YEARS to be open ... and act _ _ AS A GUEST SHOULD _ _ to their hosts, YOU MIGHT be able to get to an area of understanding where you are viewed as a friend to the Area. But you'll always be an outsider. If you don't understand that? Then expect a very polite ... "no thank you" to such attitudes. The above review reads like the guy from Long Island who was upset, because the roads were not as wide as they were in New York (rolls eyes)
Knoxville, TN
re: NEVER move to Knoxville. You'll regret it
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12/11/2018Actually, this review is dead-on accurate. Meaning, I love Knoxville. This is _ _ EXACTLY _ _ the type of Northern Yank attitude I hope to never have to live around up north, ever ... again ...