Moving to East English Village

**softailrider** · July-04-12, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by poobert

I live in East English Village and am really, really tired of people on this board saying it is "declining." I don't know how they are in a position from afar to make such as sweeping statement, but here is the reality coming from someone who wakes up each morning in EEV, good and the bad:
No, it isn't "what it used to be" even 20 years ago it was basically an extension of Grosse Pointe in terms of housing values and the like. It isn't the same, but NOTHING is.
The housing crisis hit EEV really hard. We pulled though finally, though. Vacancy is now at its lowest level since 2008 or so [[about 8.5% now). The difference here is we have a crew of local residents to clean up the properties and mow the lawns. I drove through Harrison Township and saw unmowed vacant properties! We don't have a single unmowed yard as of writing this. Take a drive through if you don't believe me.
Housing prices have finally bounced back. I admit, I didn't know if they ever would. If you're going to buy, buy soon.
I've never been robbed in my driveway, but my dog got out at 10pm on a Saturday night and the President of the Association, my next door neighbor, and someone a few blocks away spent hours about 10 hours combined looking for her [[we found her!). I didn't ask them to, they just wanted to.
My neighbors have become my best friends. We barbecue together and drink together and have dinner parties. People lament the loss of such community as from a bygone era. In EEV you are basically living in that bygone era, except we're integrated [[white, black, gay, straight, every profession and income level you can imagine). I sit on my porch and watch the kids play until the sun goes down.
Crime is mostly limited to property crime [[not surprisingly, vacant houses). Harper and Warren are really junky and there was a carjacking on Warren within the past year. We have both a private security company and volunteer patrollers. You have a problem? You have the phone number of all the board members in your newsletter. Any time, day or night, a bunch of people will come over at the drop of a hat to help you.
The housing stock is out-of-this-world, as you've stated.
In terms of areas, the best area is easily south of Warren. The houses currently listed average around 50K but there are deals to be had still. You're basically okay anywhere in EEV, but I would avoid the blocks immediately off of Harper. They aren't as genteel as the rest of the neighborhood, for the most part, but compared to the rest of Detroit look fine.
If you've lived in any other urban area, you'll do fine in EEV. I compare issues here with average areas of any other major city, as opposed to the rest of Detroit or the suburbs.
Now what do I like best? The neighbors, the housing stock, the TREES. The silence at night. Living that Detroit life so many people who fled swear up and down is dead and gone.
What now? Come to a neighborhood meeting. You will be astounded. We have 100 - 200 attendees every month. They're at St. Clare of Montefalco, at Mack and Whittier, at 7:30pm on the second Wednesday of each month.
Also we'll be having a home tour in September...keep your eyes on the website and the e-newsletter on there. Best of luck and hope to see you around the neighborhood!

A lot of what you wrote could be said about the beautiful North West side neighborhood I lived in [[Littlefield between Vassar and St.Martins) However, I can't escape the facts that city services are crappy to non-existent and schools are terrible. Also,if I have a choice, why should I live in an area that just isn't secure as far as crime goes?

**PaulieG63** · June-25-12, 11:41 AM

scottn55, I to was [[am) excited by the prospect of calling East English Village home! I have shifted my focus somewhat over the last year...towards downtown...but still have "pangs" for my first true Detroit neighborhood love...EEV!

Anyways, I started a thread back in March 2011 asking the same question...and recieved some excellent feedback! I don't think the the thread is too dated to not be useful in your current endeavor...hope you find this helpful...

http://www.detroityes.com/mb/showthr...nglish+Village

PaulieG

**eastsidechris** · June-25-12, 12:24 PM

I've lived in EEV for nearly a decade now. I still like living there, but the neighborhood has taken a few hits over that time--foreclosed homes, an increase in crime, etc. However, we still have a strong and active homeowners association, which helps things greatly. I hope that with the new East English Village Academy on the site of the old Finney building that it will attract new homeowners to the area. One other thing: it may have once been true crime was lower below Warren Ave, but I think that is no longer true. For better and for worse, people who a decade ago could not have come close to affording a house in EEV are now moving in. I can speak from experience on my block that we've had some great people move in and some lousy ones [[in particular, drug dealers who moved in from the suburbs).

**p69rrh51** · June-27-12, 08:11 PM

The only architect designed home I can find is 4526 Grayton. The home was designed by Leonard Willeke in 1942 [[not one of his best designs). I have an image but cannot find it. A google map search will get you to the home. A lion's share of the homes were built by Cox & Baker who were also building quite a few homes in Grosse Pointe at the same time.

**scottn55** · June-28-12, 03:49 PM

Thanks to everyone who's offered their perspectives and opinions. It's been especially nice to hear from those of you who currently live in EEV. Hopefully soon we'll be able to call each other "neighbor"! Still need to figure out the school thing though...

**p69rrh51** · June-28-12, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by scottn55

Thanks to everyone who's offered their perspectives and opinions. It's been especially nice to hear from those of you who currently live in EEV. Hopefully soon we'll be able to call each other "neighbor"! Still need to figure out the school thing though...

St. Claire is right there at the end of Outer Drive. You also have St. Paul's, Our Lady Star of the Sea, and St. Joan [[if you want to drive a bit further) for Catholic Schools. If you want to spend a fortune there is University Liggett School or the Grosse Pointe Academy. Also there is the Waldorf School in Indian Village. I am not up in the the charter schools in the area, someone on here will have that info.

**swiburn** · July-01-12, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by scottn55

Thanks to everyone who's offered their perspectives and opinions. It's been especially nice to hear from those of you who currently live in EEV. Hopefully soon we'll be able to call each other "neighbor"! Still need to figure out the school thing though...

It's expensive when you factor in the private schools, speaking from experience. God knows what Detroit schools will be like in five or so more years for you.

**RickBeall** · June-30-12, 02:04 AM

In your decision to move to East English Village, be sure to listen to all the people who do not live there.

A few months ago an engineer from Sweden was planning on moving to Detroit. He posted a question on this board. By the time we were done with him, not only did he not move to Detroit, he decided to not move to the USA. Scared him to death.

**pgn421** · July-01-12, 09:42 AM

I grew up at 3472 Bishop. Five houses off Mack. My parents paid 25k, in 1956. We lived there for 46 years. We sold it in 1999 for 139.9. I have been keeping an eye on it. It has been in foreclosure. It recently sold for 15k. It was a beautiful house. 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths.built in 1947 by Cox and Baker, cape cod style. Loved the neighborhood.

**poobert** · July-01-12, 04:29 PM

The good thing about the taxes/expenses is that it is a NEZ.

http://www.detroitmi.gov/Departments...1/Default.aspx

You get a 1 page form from the Assessor's Office, submit it between April and October, and in about six months they cut your taxes usually by about 33%. Helps out tremendously, and reasonably easy to do.

In addition, in regards to services...there are 4 high ranking city officials who are all within 4 blocks of me in EEV. Shit gets done.

**HarperNottingham** · July-02-12, 08:37 AM

Don't do it, Scott. It's not worth it.

I lived in Morningside and East English Village for 24 years.
I had far too many issues and incidents there.
I'd hate to see you risk life and limb for no good reason.

Stay where you are, man.
You're better off there.

**Hermod** · July-02-12, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by HarperNottingham

Don't do it, Scott. It's not worth it.

I lived in Morningside and East English Village for 24 years.
I had far too many issues and incidents there.
I'd hate to see you risk life and limb for no good reason.

Stay where you are, man.
You're better off there.

Since we never used the terms "Morningside" or "East English Village" when i lived in Detroit, would someone please post the rlative boundaries of the two areas for me. I used to live on Nottingham between Yorkshire and Grayton. Does that area have a name?

**scottn55** · July-02-12, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Hermod

Since we never used the terms "Morningside" or "East English Village" when i lived in Detroit, would someone please post the rlative boundaries of the two areas for me. I used to live on Nottingham between Yorkshire and Grayton. Does that area have a name?

That would be the neighborhood in question. Morningside is to the west and roughly bounded by Alter, Mack, Harper, and Outer Drive. The area now known as East English Village is your old neighborhood bounded by Cadieux, Harper, Outer Drive, and Mack.

**antongast** · July-02-12, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by scottn55

That would be the neighborhood in question. Morningside is to the west and roughly bounded by Alter, Mack, Harper, and Outer Drive. The area now known as East English Village is your old neighborhood bounded by Cadieux, Harper, Outer Drive, and Mack.

Hermod's old neighborhood is north of Harper.

**p69rrh51** · July-02-12, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by HarperNottingham

Don't do it, Scott. It's not worth it.

I lived in Morningside and East English Village for 24 years.
I had far too many issues and incidents there.
I'd hate to see you risk life and limb for no good reason.

Stay where you are, man.
You're better off there.

Moving to EEV with your eyes closed is a bad idea, and there are some very good reasons stay away. If you have a VERY good idea of what you are doing then move to the area. I will add another twist [[mentioned a little earlier here) if you want to live on the eastside, look in Grosse Pointe. Besides the large homes everyone knows about there are many moderate sized homes at reasonable prices [[especially in Grosse Pointe Woods) and prices are rising. With a very good school system and the other amenities its a viable option.

**scottn55** · July-04-12, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

Moving to EEV with your eyes closed is a bad idea, and there are some very good reasons stay away. If you have a VERY good idea of what you are doing then move to the area. I will add another twist [[mentioned a little earlier here) if you want to live on the eastside, look in Grosse Pointe. Besides the large homes everyone knows about there are many moderate sized homes at reasonable prices [[especially in Grosse Pointe Woods) and prices are rising. With a very good school system and the other amenities its a viable option.

Yes I'm also considering the Grosse Pointes. The aforementioned aunt and uncle from Morningside moved to GP City although I've looked primarily in the Park. The homes in GP which we could afford are mostly in the Park or Woods and if I'm going to pay Grosse Pointe money I'd want to be in the GP South district. Royal Oak and Ferndale are other options I've considered. EEV is attractive because it offers close proximity to GP while allowing us to own a larger and more comfortable home than we'd otherwise be able to afford. If I need to get creative when it comes to schooling [[DPS was never an option) and take care to not leave valuables sitting in the car I'm OK with that. It's like that where we live now. If I need to worry about walking out to pick up the paper and being shot to death in my driveway that's another matter entirely. That is why I started this thread- to find out from the people who live there [[as well as former residents) what the scoop is.

Shollin · July-05-12, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by scottn55

Yes I'm also considering the Grosse Pointes. The aforementioned aunt and uncle from Morningside moved to GP City although I've looked primarily in the Park. The homes in GP which we could afford are mostly in the Park or Woods and if I'm going to pay Grosse Pointe money I'd want to be in the GP South district. Royal Oak and Ferndale are other options I've considered. EEV is attractive because it offers close proximity to GP while allowing us to own a larger and more comfortable home than we'd otherwise be able to afford. If I need to get creative when it comes to schooling [[DPS was never an option) and take care to not leave valuables sitting in the car I'm OK with that. It's like that where we live now. If I need to worry about walking out to pick up the paper and being shot to death in my driveway that's another matter entirely. That is why I started this thread- to find out from the people who live there [[as well as former residents) what the scoop is.

There's nothing wrong with Grosse Pointe North. My kids went to North and it's a great district. In the last 5-10 years, some families from Detroit moved into Harper Woods and go to North and all of a sudden test scores declined some and now it's not as good of a school. It's run by the same people who run Grosse Pointe South. The quality of education isn't different. A handful of new students bring down scores slightly and now it isn't as good of a school anymore.

**Wild** · July-05-12, 05:08 PM

EEV is, aesthetically, one of my favorite part of town. The homes are absolutely beautiful.

However, the area has gone down. I moved from there five years ago. Renters began to move in and I've since heard that there are a couple of group homes in the area.

Even though the area is much better than the rest of the city, you have to consider that you will still be subject to Detroit City Services that are diminishing by the day. What does that mean? Slow response time for police calls and the fact that you may or may not have a nearby firehouse. Also, if you have kids, unless you plan on sending parochial school, they'll have to attend a DPS or charter school.

You also need to consider that the surrounding areas are high crime.

**mwilbert** · July-03-12, 11:49 PM

Why can't a family live in a house and send the kids to private schools?

**Zacha341** · July-04-12, 06:16 AM

I don't think that would be the biggest issue related to purchasing a home in Detroit.

Originally Posted by mwilbert

Why can't a family live in a house and send the kids to private schools?

**p69rrh51** · July-06-12, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

I don't think that would be the biggest issue related to purchasing a home in Detroit.

Actually by far the NUMBER ONE reason many will not buy in the cty! In fact when I discuss homes in the city its usually the ONLY reason ever brought up as a deal braker!! Also everyone I know who has lived in the city moved IMMEDIATELY once the oldest child turned 4 to areas with good schools.

**scottn55** · July-06-12, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

Actually by far the NUMBER ONE reason many will not buy in the cty! In fact when I discuss homes in the city its usually the ONLY reason ever brought up as a deal braker!! Also everyone I know who has lived in the city moved IMMEDIATELY once the oldest child turned 4 to areas with good schools.

It is definitely a concern for me. Private/parochial school isn't cheap and could easily negate any savings from the relatively inexpensive housing in EEV. I'm guessing the cost of my home and auto insurance policies will double although I haven't actually consulted my agent about that yet.

**p69rrh51** · July-06-12, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by scottn55

It is definitely a concern for me. Private/parochial school isn't cheap and could easily negate any savings from the relatively inexpensive housing in EEV. I'm guessing the cost of my home and auto insurance policies will double although I haven't actually consulted my agent about that yet.

I know your budget is better served by the homes in EEV, the insurance rate difference and school system will probably more than make up for purchasing a smaller home. Also the streets between Mack Avenue and Charlevoix running from Fisher Rd. to Outer Drive are very similar to EEV and somewhat more affordable than the homes just one block closer to E. Jefferson.

**Zacha341** · July-07-12, 11:27 AM

Yes, of course. I was being a bit tongue in cheek. Again IMO this is not the time for BUYING a house in Detroit...

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

[Schools]Actually by far the NUMBER ONE reason many will not buy in the cty! In fact when I discuss homes in the city its usually the ONLY reason ever brought up as a deal braker!! Also everyone I know who has lived in the city moved IMMEDIATELY once the oldest child turned 4 to areas with good schools.

**poobert** · July-05-12, 07:50 PM

A lot of valid points brought up here, but I think people are missing that the OP already understands the city and the challenges that go along with it. Sure GP is nice, but not everybody can afford it, even if it's cheaper than 10 years ago. Sure EEV was nicer 10 years ago, but it's still nice.
I moved here for essentially the same reasons as he wants to, but I don't have kids yet. I did buy the house with having kids in mind because St. Clare of Montefalco is right there. I got an awesome house for a fraction of what it would have cost in GP [[which I can't afford) and a lot of us WANT to stay in the city but lofts and apartments aren't our thing.
To be sure, raising kids in the city is a challenge, but we have a shitload of kids here. None of them cause me any grief, in fact I have an awesome family across the street from me.
I'm really not trying to be the EEV cheerleader, but I'm pretty sure that if somebody even said they'd like to move to Palmer Woods with their family a lot of the responders here would be saying the same kind of stuff and tell the guy to move to Oakland County instead.
Since everybody's thrown in their bit about where I live I think I get to toss my own knowledge into the mix about where other people live too. GP really is great but I don't see myself ever living there. Regarding the Woods in particular, I know two families [[both affluent), one who wants out of the Woods and one who lives in EEV and says he'd never move back to the Woods. Both found it stifling and their neighbors to be real jerks. There are a ton of great people in the Pointes but its reputation for being snooty isn't entirely unwarranted. Sure there are renters and goofballs here but people are generally pretty down-to-earth.