Moving to Detroit from Sweden; any advice?

[j to the jeremy]

I had a friend from Sweden who lived in Indian Village for a while, he liked it a lot.

I would suggest finding something in the Woodbridge, Corktown, or Lafayette Park areas. The midtown area is the best for shopping and walkable neighborhoods, but it also has more apartments than houses. This is where most of the Europeans I know live.

The suburbs are much safer, and have more shopping, but you will find that NOTHING is in walking distance unless you live in "downtown" Royal Oak or Birmingham. The scale of sprawl is daunting to many people who aren't from the States.

I would suggest doing some in-depth research on the block where you decide to get a house, and asking your future neighbors how the schools, services, etc. are. Detroit can be very spotty with these things- One block can be great, the next one over can be a terrible place to live.

Good luck, and welcome! I hope you're a hockey fan because the Red Wings are basically the Swedish National team

[Bham1982]

The suburbs are much safer, and have more shopping, but you will find that NOTHING is in walking distance unless you live in "downtown" Royal Oak or Birmingham. The scale of sprawl is daunting to many people who aren't from the States.

This is true, though no different than Detroit. Unless you live in Downtown or Midtown, you will find essentially nothing in walking distance.

And it's frankly much easier for all family members to walk around to all sorts of places at all hours in a place like Birmingham or Royal Oak than it is in Downtown or Midtown Detroit.

[iheartthed]

This is true, though no different than Detroit. Unless you live in Downtown or Midtown, you will find essentially nothing in walking distance.

That's not true.

[Bham1982]

That's not true.

Where outside of Downtown or Midtown do you have safe, walkable streets with plentiful retail and services?

SW Detroit [[Vernor) has plentiful retail [[well, mostly Mexican restaurants and bakeries/groceries), but definitely not safe, family-friendly or easily walkable.

NW Detroit is safe, family friendly and walkable in parts, but Livernois is an absolute disaster in terms of retail.

None of these areas have walkability or services comparable to parts of Dearborn, the Pointes, Woodward Corridor from Ferndale to Birmingham, and the little enclaves, like Rochester, Plymouth, Wyandotte, etc.

[Danny]

Yes, move to Detroit, lots of excitment there. Don't move the suburbs. The suburbs are bad! Move to Downtown Detroit. buy a house or supercondo. You will get a tax break if you do.

[iheartthed]

Where outside of Downtown or Midtown do you have safe, walkable streets with plentiful retail and services?

SW Detroit [[Vernor) has plentiful retail [[well, mostly Mexican restaurants and bakeries/groceries), but definitely not safe, family-friendly or easily walkable.

NW Detroit is safe, family friendly and walkable in parts, but Livernois is an absolute disaster in terms of retail.

None of these areas have walkability or services comparable to parts of Dearborn, the Pointes, Woodward Corridor from Ferndale to Birmingham, and the little enclaves, like Rochester, Plymouth, Wyandotte, etc.

Off the top of my head: Grand River from about Greenfield to about Lahser. If you live in Grandmont, Rosedale Park or North Rosedale Park, you can get just about anything you need without having to use a bus or a car. There is a grocery store, several drug stores, numerous restaurants, dry cleaners and even a gym. The only thing missing is a major clothing retailer, which you'll have to drive to a mall to find... But you'd have to do that from just about any of the suburbs that you named as well.

[Jowlska]

Off the top of my head: Grand River from about Greenfield to about Lahser. If you live in Grandmont, Rosedale Park or North Rosedale Park, you can get just about anything you need without having to use a bus or a car. There is a grocery store, several drug stores, numerous restaurants, dry cleaners and even a gym. The only thing missing is a major clothing retailer, which you'll have to drive to a mall to find... But you'd have to do that from just about any of the suburbs that you named as well.

I agree that Grandmont / Rosedale Park area is one of the most walkable and put together areas of Detroit. Lots of businesses there and friendly people. Wouldn't suggest riding the Grand River bus everyday downtown. This bus is late and overcrowded all the time... I think Lafayette Park and along the Riverfront are also nice places within biking distance of downtown with lots of businesses. Outside of the city, I would add Dearborn to the list to consider.