Why did you come to Detroit?

[Revived thread from 2010]
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For all of us transplants out here, young and old.

Did you come from the 'burbs? Another state? Another country?

Why did you move to Detroit?

I'll start.

Born and raised in the poor, rural town of Concord, MI. I started coming to Detroit to see shows at St Andrews and the Shelter with friends when I was 15.

It was the biggest city outside of Jackson, MI that I had ever been to.

I still remember my first impression of the city. I saw the homeless, the graffiti, the empty buildings and thought, "this is a city. A real city. This must be how all of them are."

Moved to Southfield in '06 for school. Moved to Woodbridge after that, and the riverfront after that.

A lot of the reason why I'm here is because of that nostalgic feeling of pride I had of being in Detroit when I was young. It certainly shaped me.

I also knew none of the backstory before I came. Didn't know about the riots, the race tensions, the lack of industry, the government issues. If I had been raised in Metro Detroit, I would have known. And probably wouldn't choose to live in Detroit because of it.

And no one EVER leaves Concord. I thank Detroit for getting me out!

Well at least you're not from Rives Junction.

Thanks for writing an excellent testimonial of one's faith in the City, detailing the forces that brought you here and compel you to stay.

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Originally Posted by gnome

Well at least you're not from Rives Junction.

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Pretty darn close! Are you from Rives Junction, Gnome?

Original poster: What in heaven's name brought you to Detroit?
jt1: My health. I came to Detroit for the safety.
Original poster: The safety? What safety? We're in Detroit.
jt1: I was misinformed.

born and raised in Canton Township, the most vanilla McMansion filled place in the state.

After college took and Americorps position working with Habitat for humanity centered at 24th and Ash. Spent 2002-2003 in that neighborhood. It felt like home.

Moved away to Toronto for work. Loved city living.

Couldn't live in the burbs when i came home. Bought a fixer upper in Corktown in 2007. Love it, couldn't live anywhere else.

Born and raised in Canton Township too, and still here :[[ That is until I am done with school and can [[hopefully) get a job in Detroit or closer.

That's it?

Good to know there are at least two people living in the city.

I brought a friends remains back for burial. Didn't want to leave.

I moved to Detroit to be cool.

Then I realized I'm cool no matter where I live. ;)

I'm a Chicago native. Came to Michigan in 1988 [[via a circuitous route) for grad school at U of M. I was studying immigration and ethnicity [[specifically, Polish), and wanted to live in an affordable, diverse, urban neighborhood. So I moved to the Detroit side of the Hamtramck/Detroit border, where I lived the whole time I was in school in Ann Arbor. When I finished my degree, I hopped the border into Hamtown.

I came to Detroit because of the large gay population in Palmer Park. I left when everyone else did when it became overrun with crime. Still live in Nashville, but theres not a day goes by I dont miss home.

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Originally Posted by exmotowner

I came to Detroit because of the large gay population in Palmer Park. I left when everyone else did when it became overrun with crime. Still live in Nashville, but theres not a day goes by I dont miss home.

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I had several friends who lived in Palmer Park in the 80s. Had a lot of fun there, but every single person I knew either got robbed or mugged while living there. Sigh. I am afraid to see what shape the neighborhood is in today.

I still miss the almond chicken at the Kow Kow. I've never had any that was nearly as good as it was back then.

Born and raised in Detroit.

I moved to Detroit from a very small Ohio town named Urbana when I was 17 years old. I moved here with my father who was attending Wayne State grad school and I was to attend Murray Wright high school. A very different school for a white boy who attended a small mostly white high school in Urbana. I soon met friends at school as well as around campus, Zoots coffee shop on Second Ave. became an every day hang out for me. Later after dropping out of school I began working at the Cosmic Cafe and later for several other neighborhood business after it went under. I have lived in several places and hoods in Detroit... Park Shelton on Woodward, Woodbridge district, East Jefferson and later moved to Grosse Pointe Park, Dearborn, Inkster, Dearborn Heights, than a quick move to Yellow Springs Ohio just a few doors down from Dave Chappelle... It was a quick stay as I found myself moving back to Detroit, this time the east side down the street from good old Harpos. God Bless Detroit!

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Originally Posted by Rosa

I had several friends who lived in Palmer Park in the 80s. Had a lot of fun there, but every single person I knew either got robbed or mugged while living there. Sigh. I am afraid to see what shape the neighborhood is in today.

I still miss the almond chicken at the Kow Kow. I've never had any that was nearly as good as it was back then.

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Palmer Park is still a good neighborhood, and relatively stable. One of the apartment buildings recently converted to condos. Palmer Woods, to the west, is still the richest neighborhood in Detroit. University Commons is still a great neighborhood. I wouldn't be afraid to come back to look, you should be happy to find that there isn't much abandonment in this area besides a few buildings on McNichols Ave that have apartments on top retail on bottom. I wish these could be restored!

I moved to Detroit two years ago because I don't have a car and Detroit is cheaper than other cities and no other place really has the same soul as Detroit. No other city really feels like home the way Detroit does. I guess you could say it is edgy. I guess you could say it is hip. You could also say it is depressing. It is really all of those things. It is dynamic and alive. Certianly not "dead" like outsiders might have you believe. Detroit has so much potential to be one of the great cities of the world, I definatly moved here to be part of the building.

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Originally Posted by casscorridor

Palmer Park is still a good neighborhood, and relatively stable. One of the apartment buildings recently converted to condos. Palmer Woods, to the west, is still the richest neighborhood in Detroit. University Commons is still a great neighborhood. I wouldn't be afraid to come back to look, you should be happy to find that there isn't much abandonment in this area besides a few buildings on McNichols Ave that have apartments on top retail on bottom. I wish these could be restored!

I moved to Detroit two years ago because I don't have a car and Detroit is cheaper than other cities and no other place really has the same soul as Detroit. No other city really feels like home the way Detroit does. I guess you could say it is edgy. I guess you could say it is hip. You could also say it is depressing. It is really all of those things. It is dynamic and alive. Certianly not "dead" like outsiders might have you believe. Detroit has so much potential to be one of the great cities of the world, I definatly moved here to be part of the building.

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I have seen pictures of some abandoned Palmer Park apartment buildings on Flickr. Hopefully that is isolated. I haven't been to the Northwest side in a long time and don't know what's going on there. I know the town is not dead - I lived in Hamtramck a couple of years ago and miss living in the city terribly right now.

I had a car when I lived there, but rarely used it as I could get most of what I needed within walking distance. I've always been happiest without a car. How do you find living there right now without a car? I used the buses in the 80s but haven't since.

I've moved in and out of the city several times and know what you mean about no other place feeling like home. It's like Marie Laveau's curse.

I came to Detroit to attend University which I am still doing. I live on campus at U of D, then lived in Midtown, and find myself these days across Woodward from Palmer Park. I was nervous about the city as a place to live but my time here has put me at ease, both the good and the bad, which there has been alot of both, but I find it hard to think of living anywhere else.

For those who lived in Palmer Park I would love to hear more about the area, from the big old gay days. As a modern queer living in that area I understand the draw and wish others could too. The abandonment is there and really the area looked to be at a turning point a few years ago, although the economy has sort of put it in a strange area of limbo, but I have met some amazing neighbors and love the area. If you are ever in town I would love to meet up and talk past present and future of the area.

I came to Detroit in 2001 from the far North Eastside after my employer transferred my job assignment to Taylor to be closer to work. I originally worked out of the Gibraltar Trade Center North selling Elephant Ears, but after some promotions, my boss needed me to increase sales in Taylor so I transferred. I have been there ever since.

Originally purchased a renovated apartment condo in Woodbridge because of the impeccable reputation of the builder's character and the quality of his craftsmanship, along with the limitless growth value of the property combined with the guaranteed tax abatements. [[no brainer) All that, and of course the ease and maintenance free living that condo life allows.

Bought a house in Corktown in 2005 because I was told I could make $10k renting it out for the Super Bowl. Purchased the vacant lot next door a few years later because I didn't want to get priced out after Tiger Stadium came down and the subsequent rush of lot owner's selling off all of their vacant land to developers who would start building brand new large, infill homes.

I stay mainly because crime is virtually nonexistent, cheap insurance, the Dequindre Cut, and the Cooley Family's Slows BBQ.

JStone, every single one of your posts confuses the hell out of me. I'm so confused I can't even decide if this is a good or a bad thing. I just thought you should know.

Long time reader, first time poster. I grew up in the Swartz Creek area, just west of Flint. Lived around that area for over 40 years, until I met my present wife on a "personals" web site. She lived her, so I moved here. My work is still based in the Grand Blanc area, but because of her, I don't regret the move. I always enjoyed visiitng Detroit previous to living here, but never imagined living here.

It's my mother's fault - I was born at St. John's Hospital.

To have a coney and go to the Casino

I moved here a few years ago from Knoxville, TN. Before that I lived in CA, Pittsburgh, Alabama, and grew up in a small town in Mississippi. I have stayed so far because I like it better than other cities that I have lived in and been to. Other big cities are too expensive for me, but Detroit offers a lot of the same benefits at a relatively cheaper price. I also like the people here, they are generally very friendly. I first lived downtown, then moved back to Knoxville for a while because something really bad happened. I really hated Knoxville and came right back to Detroit and haven't left since then. I moved to SW Detroit, Cass Corridor, Morningside, and now live in Warrendale. This is the longest that I have lived in on place in years, it must not be that bad.

Also, I'd like to add that the first time that I moved here was a completely random event like most of my moves have been. One day I applied for a job at a hotel downtown and within three months I was living here... never had been here before then.

Bearinabox - Really?

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Originally Posted by JStone

Bearinabox - Really?

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Well, this one didn't, so I guess not.

I'm confused about the "virtually non-existent crime". Are we still talking about Detroit? :confused:

To GPcharles: My Dad always said the best babies came from St John Hospital. My two older sisters were born at Deaconess [[now long gone), I and my younger brother were born at St John's, as were my two sons. It's definative, good hospital...great kids!

Retroit - I can't speak for the rest of Detroit, but in Corktown, I leave my doors unlocked and my windows wide open. In fact, I have been known to leave my lawn mower out during the summer time for days on end with no worries. I guess I'm just lucky. Fortunately I haven't had a need for home security.

PCM, my sister was an elementary school teacher in Concord for 25 years. I found it a beautiful place with its millpond and classic 19th Century downtown. It is nice that the Google street view car passed through. I see the Silver Spoon is still there. There is a nice lake and golf course near by where I nearly got done in by lightning.

I grew up in small towns so I can appreciate your escape needs. I came to Detroit for the reason countless thousands of others came -- to work in the auto factories. I went away, traveled the world, made plans to live elsewhere but found myself irresistibly drawn back. I tell people, if you don't get Detroit you won't get it and I can't explain it. But if you do get it, you'll completely understand what I mean. It's kind of like looking at art.

If this is the Lowell that started the new system, you screwed up all the hall of fame threads.Most of all of those people are not on anymore.

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Originally Posted by Lowell

PCM, my sister was an elementary school teacher in Concord for 25 years. I found it a beautiful place with its millpond and classic 19th Century downtown. It is nice that the Google street view car passed through. I see the Silver Spoon is still there. There is a nice lake and golf course near by where I nearly got done in by lightning.

I grew up in small towns so I can appreciate your escape needs. I came to Detroit for the reason countless thousands of others came -- to work in the auto factories. I went away, traveled the world, made plans to live elsewhere but found myself irresistibly drawn back. I tell people, if you don't get Detroit you won't get it and I can't explain it. But if you do get it, you'll completely understand what I mean. It's kind of like looking at art.

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What was her name? Good chance that my family knows her!

Is Paychecks still open in Hamtramick? I moved away in 1987

I was brought here against my will on 28 April 1972.....but i love it.......:)

My great grandfather came here because the Royal Irish Constabulary made it quite clear that he was not welcome there anymore, and he needed a job.

Wife came to work for a foreign auto industry company because the jobs in the state she is from were outsourced overseas.

She has no sympathy for BuyAmerican's bullshit until he recognizes all the other industries lost to overseas. Also, she is very perplex by the arrogant sense of entitlement "auto industry brats" have. In her opinion, work hard, get a paycheck and STFU.

Yes, wife wants to leave Michigan.. though she is the only one of us to have lived in the city.

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Originally Posted by exmotowner

I came to Detroit because of the large gay population in Palmer Park. I left when everyone else did when it became overrun with crime. Still live in Nashville, but theres not a day goes by I dont miss home.

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Dude, I lived in Palmer Park learly 80's and in Nashville for five years, then back to Detroit. I don't miss Nashville ever, I found it too religious and Southern 'surface friendly' for my taste.

Personally it has been great to be back in Detroit. I enjoy the city institutions, restaurants, bars, festivals, ethnic events, music scene, fundraiser events, etc. I always have a great time here whatever I do.

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Originally Posted by MIWP

I moved to Detroit from a very small Ohio town named Urbana when I was 17 years old. I moved here with my father who was attending Wayne State grad school and I was to attend Murray Wright high school. A very different school for a white boy who attended a small mostly white high school in Urbana. I soon met friends at school as well as around campus, Zoots coffee shop on Second Ave. became an every day hang out for me. Later after dropping out of school I began working at the Cosmic Cafe and later for several other neighborhood business after it went under. I have lived in several places and hoods in Detroit... Park Shelton on Woodward, Woodbridge district, East Jefferson and later moved to Grosse Pointe Park, Dearborn, Inkster, Dearborn Heights, than a quick move to Yellow Springs Ohio just a few doors down from Dave Chappelle... It was a quick stay as I found myself moving back to Detroit, this time the east side down the street from good old Harpos. God Bless Detroit!

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"Cosmic Cafe"? That's a name I barely recall. Please, refresh me where was that located?
As for me, I was born at Grace Harper Hospital. My mom was going into labor passing out candy on Halloween [[Trick-'r-treater 1: "That house is giving away Milkduds!" Trick-'r-treater 2: "Oh yeah? Well that one is giving away babies!').

I grew up in the late stages of Detroits golden years. An almost perfect childhood. Watched the decline. Eventually did move out due to school issues but never stopped working with city non profits. Moved back to assist my Mom in EEV, then cared for her as she declined. That was 7 years. I have tremendous respect for the EEV community and we did our part in a small way.

Where I live now is almost magical to me. The community is so close knit, the old homes lovely,the generations that have lived here, the history, the caring and sharing, the oddballs and activists. Its vibrant. Always believed Detroit would see a resurgence but perhaps not in my lifetime but I am seeing it.

Our focus has always been kids so I guess I want them to have what I had. Loads of work need to be done, no near libraries, no active rec facilties so neighbors do amazing things for after school and summer programs.

We used to be crime free but a spate of home invasions last year mobilized the community. Community worked actively with the 7th precinct and those fuckers were caught pronto, drug house opened up and community/police shut it down in two weeks. They tried to reopen shut down intwo days.

I love the syngery of younger people moving in and the awesome dignity of our elders.

I hate winters but love Detroit. Will never leave again.

had no choice in the matter. didn't know much else till later.

Me too. Parents came during the mid and late fifties from more southern states.

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Originally Posted by Ron_saad

Born and raised in Detroit.

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Fire-brewed Stroh's Beer.......next.

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Originally Posted by sumas

... We used to be crime free but a spate of home invasions last year mobilized the community. Community worked actively with the 7th precinct and those fuckers were caught pronto, drug house opened up and community/police shut it down in two weeks. They tried to reopen shut down in two days....

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Okay, that's the way to do it. There's no demotivator greater than futility.

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Originally Posted by Lowell

I grew up in small towns so I can appreciate your escape needs. I came to Detroit for the reason countless thousands of others came -- to work in the auto factories. I went away, traveled the world, made plans to live elsewhere but found myself irresistibly drawn back. I tell people, if you don't get Detroit you won't get it and I can't explain it. But if you do get it, you'll completely understand what I mean. It's kind of like looking at art.

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A huge THANK YOU to Lowell for all the work he's done on DetroitYES, from all of us!!

casscorridor wrote: "Detroit has so much potential to be one of the great cities of the world..."

Detroit was one of the world's great cities when I was a little shaver in the 1950s. Visited the "Paris of the Midwest" many times with my parents [[from one of those little towns in the Thumb), then they moved away in the mid-70s. Also stayed occasionally with my Aunt and Uncle on the East Side. DY filled in what happened between then and recently. Another big Thank You to all DYer's ...

Now I live in a warm climate b/c my health does not permit living in cold Up North [[respiratory mess). I guess I miss the Detroit we knew and loved in the 50s and early 60s.

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Originally Posted by G-DDT

"Cosmic Cafe"? That's a name I barely recall. Please, refresh me where was that located?
As for me, I was born at Grace Harper Hospital. My mom was going into labor passing out candy on Halloween [[Trick-'r-treater 1: "That house is giving away Milkduds!" Trick-'r-treater 2: "Oh yeah? Well that one is giving away babies!').

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When you reopen a nearly 5 year old thread... don't expect any answers from back then... especially from that poster who came here, then posted 10 times and just as quickly disappeared within a month.

There was one poster who opened up a 5 year old thread, complained about something I said then... and asked me for an explanation... to which I replied... "that was 5 years ago... and I have no clue over the context of the discussion from back then!!" :eek:

Mercifully my oldest posts from 15 years ago are not easily retrievable... ;)

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Originally Posted by G-DDT

"Cosmic Cafe"? That's a name I barely recall. Please, refresh me where was that located?

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The Cosmic was on Palmer where Byblos currently sits. Many fond memories.

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Originally Posted by Zacha341

Me too. Parents came during the mid and late fifties from more southern states.

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My maternal grandfather grew up on the Kentuckey Ohio border, put to work in the mines at 13 so he split at age 13. Was a real liife hobo roaming the country. He heard about jobs in Detroit and got a job at Hupp mobile. He stayed in a boarding house near MacDougal and Jefferson. My grandmother lived on a ranch/farm in Texas that got wipted out by a freak snow storm, she was sent to live with in aunt who owned a diner on McDougal and Jefferson. They met and married First World War came and he served. Came back Worked at chalmers the depression came. My Mom's childhood was a real struggle. Her folks had little education but Mom graduated East Commerce High was offered a scholarship for college but her family needed the money bad so she went to work for Chrysler in the secretary pool where she was rapidly promoted to private secretary. She met my Dad there.

My paternal grandparents both grew up in Boston-Edison. Then after they married they moved out of the city in the late 1920s and into Grosse Pointe in search of more open space, less congestion and waterfront property. It was here that they raised their children and their children raised theirs.

Both sets of my grandparents moved to Detroit from Kentucky and South Carolina in 1920 to work at Ford Motor Co. My parents were both born in Detroit. In 1972 I moved to California and lived there until 1998 when after trying for years to get my parents to move there I finally gave up and moved back to Detroit in 1998 because by then they were both too old to be uprooted. When they died a couple of years ago I moved back to California.

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Originally Posted by FormerDetroiter

Both sets of my grandparents moved to Detroit from Kentucky and South Carolina in 1920 to work at Ford Motor Co. My parents were both born in Detroit. In 1972 I moved to California and lived there until 1998 when after trying for years to get my parents to move there I finally gave up and moved back to Detroit in 1998 because by then they were both too old to be uprooted. When they died a couple of years ago I moved back to California.

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You are a good person, I know full well what it takes to care for an aging parent. In some ways we sacrificed 7 yrs of our lives to stay with her. My Mom wanted to die in her home and she did. I would do it all over again for just one more day. She was an amazing woman but I guess at 91 she had a good run.

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Originally Posted by sumas

My maternal grandfather grew up on the Kentuckey Ohio border, put to work in the mines at 13 so he split at age 13.

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Around Covington or....?

Also, Taking care of the elderly was something the utilitarian nature the Nazis in Germany had that they couldn't bare. I [[and Tim Burton and the Japanese-come to think of it, a lot of non-American countries) truly respect anyone that values their elders, and anyone who can handle their aging parents with patience [[I know I can't-but Lord knows, I'm doing my best), instead of shuffling them off to a home is a strong person unfettered by societies' expectations. I know lots of folks in Detroit who have no problem filling a house with four or five generations.

I grew up on the outskirts of Brighton. I had a swamp across the street and a lake with a beach in our neighborhood. I could not have asked for a better place to grow up but in my teens city life was calling. I loved hunting and fishing as a kid but women were more interesting and the city had great women. Heroin entered the picture and what better place to find heroin than Detroit? The art scene and new found friends here is what really brought me here but the lawlessness of Detroit was the clincher. Detroit has always been the wild wild West for me. I love Detroit cops because they have better things to do than bust you because you dont have insurance or a drivers license and carrying a small amount of drugs is tolerated for the most part. The Cass Corridor is filled with creative people who I have come to know and love and we all support eachother like no other city Ive seen. Detroit is filled with evolving art good or bad but always a constant barrage of creativity, houses burning down and new projects going up, a constant shift of new young people coming in with new ideas and projects. I fucking love this city but Lordy Im getting sick of the winters. I think Ill go to Laos for future winters. Can someone loan me $1300 for a plane ticket? Man theres nothing better than summertime in Detroit [[except for the fact you have to be a perfect citizen these days to even drive on to Belle Isle)

That was quite a rant I just handed out. Thanks again Pcm for the cool thread. I love reading everyone's stories on how they wound up here. I wish I felt more comfortable telling the whole story of how I got here. Ive got some good nasty stories. You can always buy the book.

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Originally Posted by sumas

I grew up in the late stages of Detroits golden years. An almost perfect childhood. Watched the decline. Eventually did move out due to school issues but never stopped working with city non profits. Moved back to assist my Mom in EEV, then cared for her as she declined. That was 7 years. I have tremendous respect for the EEV community and we did our part in a small way.

Where I live now is almost magical to me. The community is so close knit, the old homes lovely,the generations that have lived here, the history, the caring and sharing, the oddballs and activists. Its vibrant. Always believed Detroit would see a resurgence but perhaps not in my lifetime but I am seeing it.

Our focus has always been kids so I guess I want them to have what I had. Loads of work need to be done, no near libraries, no active rec facilties so neighbors do amazing things for after school and summer programs.

We used to be crime free but a spate of home invasions last year mobilized the community. Community worked actively with the 7th precinct and those fuckers were caught pronto, drug house opened up and community/police shut it down in two weeks. They tried to reopen shut down intwo days.

I love the syngery of younger people moving in and the awesome dignity of our elders.

I hate winters but love Detroit. Will never leave again.

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Sumas: If the house next to you ever goes up for sale, would you let me know?

I don't post on this board often [[I read a LOT though). You have a huge heart and an appreciation for life and what you have received that I find rare and inspiring. You're an amazing lady. I'm certain I would enjoy having you as a neighbor.

I was raised in Detroit and attended Parker elementary for kindergarten. We lived on Littlefield on the west side [[attended Epiphany Catholic School for first grade) then my dad moved the family to Livonia the fall after the '67 riots.

Spent most of my youth in Livonia. Attended Wayne State to earn an engineering degree and moved into a rented house in the Greenfield / Grand River area for a few years after graduation.

Raised my own family in Troy [[gasp), but once the kids are ALL out of the house, the missus and I dream about moving into the Comerica Park / Fox area. We see MANY baseball and hockey games every year [[about 50) and city living appeals to both of us. We'll see how the whole ice arena development goes...there may be a place that fits us there when it is completed.

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Originally Posted by G-DDT

Around Covington or....?

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Sorry the last several years have been stressful. I have all the records but will wait for the new year and new energy. Please be kind and will provide answers soon. I love history and future developments happening.

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Originally Posted by TheUsualSuspect

Sumas: If the house next to you ever goes up for sale, would you let me know?

I don't post on this board often [[I read a LOT though). You have a huge heart and an appreciation for life and what you have received that I find rare and inspiring. You're an amazing lady. I'm certain I would enjoy having you as a neighbor.

I was raised in Detroit and attended Parker elementary for kindergarten. We lived on Littlefield on the west side [[attended Epiphany Catholic School for first grade) then my dad moved the family to Livonia the fall after the '67 riots.

Spent most of my youth in Livonia. Attended Wayne State to earn an engineering degree and moved into a rented house in the Greenfield / Grand River area for a few years after graduation.

Raised my own family in Troy [[gasp), but once the kids are ALL out of the house, the missus and I dream about moving into the Comerica Park / Fox area. We see MANY baseball and hockey games every year [[about 50) and city living appeals to both of us. We'll see how the whole ice arena development goes...there may be a place that fits us there when it is completed.

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The house to the south has gone through several hands, as much as i love preserving history, and I do know its history. I think it will go for auction for back taxes. Save your money, I don't think it can be rehabbed for under 100K. I could be wrong. Check it out.

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Originally Posted by TheUsualSuspect

Sumas: If the house next to you ever goes up for sale, would you let me know?

I don't post on this board often [[I read a LOT though). You have a huge heart and an appreciation for life and what you have received that I find rare and inspiring. You're an amazing lady. I'm certain I would enjoy having you as a neighbor.

I was raised in Detroit and attended Parker elementary for kindergarten. We lived on Littlefield on the west side [[attended Epiphany Catholic School for first grade) then my dad moved the family to Livonia the fall after the '67 riots.

Spent most of my youth in Livonia. Attended Wayne State to earn an engineering degree and moved into a rented house in the Greenfield / Grand River area for a few years after graduation.

Raised my own family in Troy [[gasp), but once the kids are ALL out of the house, the missus and I dream about moving into the Comerica Park / Fox area. We see MANY baseball and hockey games every year [[about 50) and city living appeals to both of us. We'll see how the whole ice arena development goes...there may be a place that fits us there when it is completed.

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totally off thread but the home north of us is uber fantastic. Mrs C is in poor shape. I adore her and check in every other day. Her son visits daily. Don't ask cause not my business but doubt she will make another year. Side note: Django put railing on her steps to help her climb stairs. Thank you django!

Small world and so many wonderful people. That includes our liitle tent community

Family moved to Detroit from Los Angeles in 1964 when I was 7 years old. My Dad was offered a good job at a private laboratory. We lived in a duplex apartment on Greenfield south of Seven Mile until January of 1969 when we moved to the suburb of Oak Park. My parents moved out due to the '67 riots and the lure of better schools in Oak Park.

Seeing more and more folks from Saginaw.

After I retired I could no longer afford to live in San Francisco. I grew up here and never severed my roots, visited regularly, so was able to pick up where I left off 30 years ago. Have made new friends and kept the old.