Moving to Grosse pointe area from south

hi every one, good morning... it's been an awesome job by all of you to discuss about detroit and the future of detroit. I am from atlanta, GA and i am moving to grosse pointe area, got my job in st john hospital in grosse pointe for next 3 years. Now, as i heard lots of shady neighborhoods in detroit to stay... I need your biggest help to know what are the safer neighborhoods around to commute to hospital. [[ an apartment is great )

PS: i am single, can commute 15-20 min, need a safer neighborhood to start my journey :)

Appreciate any inputs

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Originally Posted by kattmax

hi every one, good morning... it's been an awesome job by all of you to discuss about detroit and the future of detroit. I am from atlanta, GA and i am moving to grosse pointe area, got my job in st john hospital in grosse pointe for next 3 years. Now, as i heard lots of shady neighborhoods in detroit to stay... I need your biggest help to know what are the safer neighborhoods around to commute to hospital. [[ an apartment is great )

PS: i am single, can commute 15-20 min, need a safer neighborhood to start my journey :)

Appreciate any inputs

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Try Grosse Pointe Park, very nice community. I am a die hard Detroiter but a newbie could get eaten up. GPP is very close to the hospital and very safe. reasonable rents etc. Good luck with your new adventure. Sumas

thank you :), i am also looking at St. claire shores, i am recently hearing an increase in crime around the SCS.. so will it be a good idea to be there, as GP has more of individual houses rather than apartments or condos..

Sounds like your relatives are scaring you. Don't worry Detroiters and near environs are really friendly folk. SCS is very safe too. My niece, a Detroit police officer lives there.

I am so sorry you feel afraid, you really don't need to be. The crap that happens is usually the criminal element. Not in that life style so do not worry.

I have lived in south saint Clair shores for the last 18 years without a problem and have no
intention of moving

The Grosse Pointe area is certainly a good choice for proximity to the hospital although it may be unnerving to look across Mack Avenue, especially in Grosse Pointe Park, to see some burnt out or boarded up houses on the Detroit side. Generally it's best to be farther out, although issues of price and availability become more pronounced. St. Clair Shores is safe and close but may not offer your preferred choice in housing. Parts of Grosse Pointe are attractive, but overall the area isn't quite like Buckhead, with which you may be familiar. The best shopping and dining in the metropolitan Detroit area will be found in the North Woodward suburbs like Birmingham and Troy if that is major factor for you, but the freeways do offer good access. Trips into Detroit for cultural, sporting and other attractions are popular, but the people you meet here will give more detailed information on those.

There are a number of apartments or condos in the St.Clair Shores community from 12 Mile Road west to 9 Mile Road on Jefferson Avenue. If you take a straight shot down Jefferson to Moross [[7 Mile), right on Moross to Mack, St. John is right there. Good luck.

I lived in SCS for 7 years and found it to be a good place to live. Lived in Clawson for three years before that and also would recommend it. The closer proximity of SCS will suit you well, I think

It would be weird to move to the North Woodward area on purpose if you were working at St. Johns. It isn't a good commute. There are plenty of places in the Pointes [[or SCS, etc.) which are very convenient to St. Johns and which are safe. Why go further away? It makes more sense to do your driving to visit other parts of town when you don't need to be as concerned about being on time.

Grosse Pointe Wood,St Clair Shores,GP Park.. all within a 10- 15 min drive to St John...Lots of rentals...What is your price range...Many anemities in these areas Shopping,Dining,Bars,Entertainment...Whaler

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Originally Posted by A2Mike

The Grosse Pointe area is certainly a good choice for proximity to the hospital although it may be unnerving to look across Mack Avenue, especially in Grosse Pointe Park, to see some burnt out or boarded up houses on the Detroit side. Generally it's best to be farther out, although issues of price and availability become more pronounced. St. Clair Shores is safe and close but may not offer your preferred choice in housing. Parts of Grosse Pointe are attractive, but overall the area isn't quite like Buckhead, with which you may be familiar. The best shopping and dining in the metropolitan Detroit area will be found in the North Woodward suburbs like Birmingham and Troy if that is major factor for you, but the freeways do offer good access. Trips into Detroit for cultural, sporting and other attractions are popular, but the people you meet here will give more detailed information on those.

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You sound like the Macomb Township kid who parks my car.

Agreed about St. Clair Shores... if you're looking for an apartment, a nice choice is between Jefferson and the lake. Also if you're farther away from I-94... the drive along Jefferson/Lakeshore to Moross is one you won't mind taking every day! :)

One thing to remember about the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores... is that the police all have 5 minutes or less response time, although you will very likely never need them.

As far as restaurants go... nice selection of places along the Nautical Mile in SCS, and also along Mack Ave. in the GPs.

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Originally Posted by GP For Life

You sound like the Macomb Township kid who parks my car.

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Sounds like an astute fellow. Probably knows that Detroit is the elephant in GP's living room.

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Originally Posted by Whaler

Grosse Pointe Wood,St Clair Shores,GP Park.. all within a 10- 15 min drive to St John...Lots of rentals...What is your price range...Many anemities in these areas Shopping,Dining,Bars,Entertainment...Whaler

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Thank you for your suggestion, I have my price range around 1000$/ month.. What about the river front apartments and the shore club apartments, I know both are too extremes, which one will be best suited for daily commute to St. John .

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Agreed about St. Clair Shores... if you're looking for an apartment, a nice choice is between Jefferson and the lake. Also if you're farther away from I-94... the drive along Jefferson/Lakeshore to Moross is one you won't mind taking every day! :)

One thing to remember about the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores... is that the police all have 5 minutes or less response time, although you will very likely never need them.

As far as restaurants go... nice selection of places along the Nautical Mile in SCS, and also along Mack Ave. in the GPs.

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Thank you for the reply.. And that's awesome with less than 5 min police response time, I will be looking more in to apartments or condos.. Than individual houses.. Shore club on SCS and river front apt in downtown are the two that have vacancies.. Still trying to figure out .. Any input about traffic on I-94..

Not sure about those... but the 27 story 9 Mile & Jefferson tower may have some openings... stunning views of... the lake, Canada, the city, everything!!

During the warm months the SCS riverfront and restaurants are especially inviting...

Kattmax... I-94 is quite easy to nagivage... between 10 Mile and Moross...even during rush hour... the traffic moves nicely.

Also, I've lived in St. Clair Shores for 24 years... and never needed a policeman... ;)

Also... a secret trick about the entrance to I-94 from Moross... during St. John shift change, traffic can back up onto Moross [[getting onto I-94) for 3 blocks! How to avoid that? Instead of making a right turn onto the service drive [[and onto the freeway)... do a proverbail cloverleaf [[3 left turns over I-94 and back onto eastbound Moross) and left onto the Service Drive Freeway. Rather than waiting for the light to change 5 times before you finally make it onto the freeway.. you an do it all in 1 turn of the light by taking the cloverleaf type route... but Shhhhhh!! Don't tell anyone!! :cool:

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Kattmax... I-94 is quite easy to nagivage... between 10 Mile and Moross...even during rush hour... the traffic moves nicely.

Also, I've lived in St. Clair Shores for 24 years... and never needed a policeman... ;)

Also... a secret trick about the entrance to I-94 from Moross... during St. John shift change, traffic can back up onto Moross [[getting onto I-94) for 3 blocks! How to avoid that? Instead of making a right turn onto the service drive [[and onto the freeway)... do a proverbail cloverleaf [[3 left turns over I-94 and back onto eastbound Moross) and left onto the Service Drive Freeway. Rather than waiting for the light to change 5 times before you finally make it onto the freeway.. you an do it all in 1 turn of the light by taking the cloverleaf type route... but Shhhhhh!! Don't tell anyone!! :cool:

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haha...thank you and will definitely keep that secret in mind.. And that 9 mile tower is now calling as sky tower in shore club drive.. Yeah and they have few openings, hoping to get one.. Or do you know of any gated community in here.. Sorry for being obsessive but just to be in safe side :)

Sorry, I'm not privy to any gated communites there... although I imagine there are some. It's just that the area is so safe that gates are not needed.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Also... a secret trick about the entrance to I-94 from Moross... during St. John shift change, traffic can back up onto Moross [[getting onto I-94) for 3 blocks! How to avoid that? Instead of making a right turn onto the service drive [[and onto the freeway)... do a proverbail cloverleaf [[3 left turns over I-94 and back onto eastbound Moross) and left onto the Service Drive Freeway. Rather than waiting for the light to change 5 times before you finally make it onto the freeway.. you an do it all in 1 turn of the light by taking the cloverleaf type route... but Shhhhhh!! Don't tell anyone!! :cool:

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SHHHHH!

I don't know about you, but it seems that doing that only makes sense if you're backed up to Tyrone. Any closer and its not worth the hassle unless you get lucky with the lights.

Kattmax-

You might already know this, but the Grosse Pointes are comprised of 5 separate communities. Each one is singular in its characteristics. Grosse Pointe Park features blocks and blocks of duplexes. These look like regular houses but were designed with separate entrances. Sometimes there are two front doors, but many have a single front door with a staircase leading to the unit upstairs.

almost all of these duplexes were intended to be duplexes and were not cut up or retrofitted into dual units.

You will not find many duplexes in The Farms, Shores, Village or City.

i took a look see on www.trulia.com and found a pretty good selection of properties. The one below looks very nice at $850 per:

http://www.trulia.com/rental/3104718...Farms-MI-48230

If you are looking to rent a flat, I would say go with Grosse Pointe Park [[which has amazing duplexes) or Grosse Pointe City, which has a number of houses near their shopping area that are duplexes. Typically they are along St. Clair, Notre Dame, and Neff Streets. I have lived in flats in both areas. If you land in the City you can ride your bike to St. John in about 10 minutes. The "rental districts" in the Pointes are great because you can walk to most everything you need [[groceries, post office, bars, etc.).

Welcome to the area! Don't be scared off by any "shady" talk. :)

What's that gated community that has the marina on the lake, the hi-rise that is stepped shaped with the balconies facing the lake and a lot of apartments and condos running to the marina on the lakeside of jefferson between 9 and 10 mile?

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Originally Posted by A2Mike

The Grosse Pointe area is certainly a good choice for proximity to the hospital although it may be unnerving to look across Mack Avenue, especially in Grosse Pointe Park, to see some burnt out or boarded up houses on the Detroit side. Generally it's best to be farther out, although issues of price and availability become more pronounced. St. Clair Shores is safe and close but may not offer your preferred choice in housing. Parts of Grosse Pointe are attractive, but overall the area isn't quite like Buckhead, with which you may be familiar. The best shopping and dining in the metropolitan Detroit area will be found in the North Woodward suburbs like Birmingham and Troy if that is major factor for you, but the freeways do offer good access. Trips into Detroit for cultural, sporting and other attractions are popular, but the people you meet here will give more detailed information on those.

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How crude, I am guessing A2 means Ann Arbor, what do you know about Detroit. My son owns a home on Harvard, EEV, Our other lives in Midtown, They have owned property in GP. Nice areas

Lots of great places to eat and party on the east side too. Mostly really happy in the D. Really wish subs would stop commenting. The opinions are non important living in burbs!

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Originally Posted by A2Mike

Sounds like an astute fellow. Probably knows that Detroit is the elephant in GP's living room.

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Do you know a lot of astute valets? I am guessing you do, since it's all relative.

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Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

What's that gated community that has the marina on the lake, the hi-rise that is stepped shaped with the balconies facing the lake and a lot of apartments and condos running to the marina on the lakeside of jefferson between 9 and 10 mile?

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I think it is shore club apartments, you are talking about :)

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Originally Posted by aoife

If you are looking to rent a flat, I would say go with Grosse Pointe Park [[which has amazing duplexes) or Grosse Pointe City, which has a number of houses near their shopping area that are duplexes. Typically they are along St. Clair, Notre Dame, and Neff Streets. I have lived in flats in both areas. If you land in the City you can ride your bike to St. John in about 10 minutes. The "rental districts" in the Pointes are great because you can walk to most everything you need [[groceries, post office, bars, etc.).

Welcome to the area! Don't be scared off by any "shady" talk. :)

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Thank you so much for valuable suggestion, I will enquire about those streets.

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Originally Posted by kattmax

Thank you so much for valuable suggestion, I will enquire about those streets.

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A friend used this to find a place a few years ago:

www.grossepointeapartments.com

Also, there is this if you assignment is part of training...
http://www.grossepointepark.org/inde...ing-foundation

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Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation
Student Grant Program

Purpose

Create educational housing incentives for university students in the manner of housing grants while concurrently adding vitality to the Grosse Pointe Park rental market and surrounding commercial business districts.

Establishment of Educational Grant

Grant available to eligible students, medical students, and nursing students for housing expense of up to 50% of rent not to exceed $350 per month.

Student Eligibility Requirements
All requirements must be met


1. Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a four yearuniversity. [[*Undergraduate freshmen are not eligible).
2. Maintain a 2.5 or higher G.P.A. while in program.
3. Maintain at least 12 credits per semester [[i.e. full-time student)
4. Provide copy of class schedule during application process.
5. If medical resident or student nurse, proof of participation from the associated medical Facilities will be accepted in lieu of class schedule and related requirements.
6. Selected housing unit/landlord must be approved for participation in the program by the Grosse Pointe Housing Foundation.
7. Limit of one grant award per housing unit

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A lot of this depends on how much you make.

The Pointes are easily the most desirable suburbs in Metro Detroit, in my opinion. The maddening sprawl and traffic of the Oakland suburbs don't exist, and you have lakefront access with your parks. It is a quiet and bucolic place, very family oriented, with good schools. It is also a very tightly knit community. The housing stock is mostly incredible Tudors and Georgian style homes from the 1920s - 1940s.

The downside it is that it is a bit sleepy, lacking in retail, and has a stuffy reputation that often rings true to this day.

I lived for many years in SCS. It is indeed very safe, working and middle class, overwhelmingly white community. I wouldn't ever move back, though. The housing stock is 99% post-war ranch crap, and there isn't a lot to do. The people are pretty nice but mostly keep to themselves. In short, nothing to write home to mother about. The schools aren't great.

I currently live in East English Village, in Detroit. It's pretty nice. There is a strong neighborhood association and lots of ways to meet neighbors and get involved in the neighborhood and Detroit. Property and auto crime is much more prevalent than in the suburbs, still, though. There have been issues of creeping blight and foreclosures but all in all it's still quite nice. Aside from the community feel, you can get incredible Grosse Pointe type houses for the fraction of the cost. It's a bit more eclectic than the Pointes, too, which I like. Of course Detroit schools are crap, but St. Clare of Montefalco is down the road.

The rest of the eastside of Detroit away from downtown is generally no bueno.

My vote would be for the any one of the Pointes [[except maybe the Woods, which are a bit too burby for my taste) or East English Village.

to the original poster, kudos and good fortune- also make sure you join this group-- DiverseGP- https://www.facebook.com/DiverseGP more info on a recent meeting here http://www.freep.com/article/2014032...elations-forum

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Originally Posted by poobert

A lot of this depends on how much you make.

The Pointes are easily the most desirable suburbs in Metro Detroit, in my opinion. The maddening sprawl and traffic of the Oakland suburbs don't exist, and you have lakefront access with your parks. It is a quiet and bucolic place, very family oriented, with good schools. It is also a very tightly knit community. The housing stock is mostly incredible Tudors and Georgian style homes from the 1920s - 1940s.

The downside it is that it is a bit sleepy, lacking in retail, and has a stuffy reputation that often rings true to this day.

I lived for many years in SCS. It is indeed very safe, working and middle class, overwhelmingly white community. I wouldn't ever move back, though. The housing stock is 99% post-war ranch crap, and there isn't a lot to do. The people are pretty nice but mostly keep to themselves. In short, nothing to write home to mother about. The schools aren't great.

I currently live in East English Village, in Detroit. It's pretty nice. There is a strong neighborhood association and lots of ways to meet neighbors and get involved in the neighborhood and Detroit. Property and auto crime is much more prevalent than in the suburbs, still, though. There have been issues of creeping blight and foreclosures but all in all it's still quite nice. Aside from the community feel, you can get incredible Grosse Pointe type houses for the fraction of the cost. It's a bit more eclectic than the Pointes, too, which I like. Of course Detroit schools are crap, but St. Clare of Montefalco is down the road.

The rest of the eastside of Detroit away from downtown is generally no bueno.

My vote would be for the any one of the Pointes [[except maybe the Woods, which are a bit too burby for my taste) or East English Village.

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Thank you for the history of GP, I am really excited to be part of Detroit and future GP.

From the sound of it, Kattman is at St. John to do his residency... which likely means long hours. In which case an appartment/condo is ideal for him... and not a large home requiring maintenance.

Kattman, which ever you choose, one of the 5 Grosse Pointes, or St. Clair Shores, there are residents only lakefront parks in each.

One drawback to choosing Grosse Pointe Park is that you are quite some distance from I-94... and the nearest entranceway is thru a less than stellar neighborhood at Chalmers/Outer Dr.

With Grosse Point City you can access I-94 at Cadieux Rd. which isn't too bad. Grosse Pointe Farms has Moross Rd. I-94 access, and Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores have both Moross and Vernier I-94 access.

St. Clair Shores has Vernier, 9 Mile, 10 Mile, 11 Mile and 12 Mile access to I-94. Also the 11 Mile access is also to I-696, which means visits to Oakland County are only 15 minutes away.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

From the sound of it, Kattman is at St. John to do his residency... which likely means long hours. In which case an appartment/condo is ideal for him... and not a large home requiring maintenance.

Kattman, which ever you choose, one of the 5 Grosse Pointes, or St. Clair Shores, there are residents only lakefront parks in each.

One drawback to choosing Grosse Pointe Park is that you are quite some distance from I-94... and the nearest entranceway is thru a less than stellar neighborhood at Chalmers/Outer Dr.

With Grosse Point City you can access I-94 at Cadieux Rd. which isn't too bad. Grosse Pointe Farms has Moross Rd. I-94 access, and Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores have both Moross and Vernier I-94 access.

St. Clair Shores has Vernier, 9 Mile, 10 Mile, 11 Mile and 12 Mile access to I-94. Also the 11 Mile access is also to I-696, which means visits to Oakland County are only 15 minutes away.

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You make it sound like that access to 94 is super widespread depending upon the area of the points. From the southermost part of the pointes to Moross is only around 3 miles along Mack.

That should play a very nominal part of the decision. That derive on mack from alter to morrow is probably about 5 minutes.

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Originally Posted by kattmax

I think it is shore club apartments, you are talking about :)

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Yep I see that your aware. Nice place, Garden apts 1000 dollar range. The marina at the end of the road and a place to sit on the lake.

My late Aunt lived there in Building 200 ground floor for many a year. People party on them warm summer nights down by the water.

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Originally Posted by jt1

You make it sound like that access to 94 is super widespread depending upon the area of the points. From the southermost part of the pointes to Moross is only around 3 miles along Mack.

That should play a very nominal part of the decision. That derive on mack from alter to morrow is probably about 5 minutes.

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He can see how to get to St. John [[via Mack most likely) on any map of the area... I'm just giving him a heads up on the situation of getting to the freeway.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

He can see how to get to St. John [[via Mack most likely) on any map of the area... I'm just giving him a heads up on the situation of getting to the freeway.

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Fair, however if I didn't know the area and read your post I would have inferred that the difference in commute, access to the freeways, etc is extremely different from one point in the pointes compared to another.

And a tad further out lies Mt Clemens.............

Spilling a few beans here. Lived in Grosse Pointe Park for almost 14 years then onto Harvard in East English Village for about 7 years. Now in Islandview Village.

Grosse Pointe Park is an excellent area to be in. Two prime lake front parks including access to parks in Jefferson Chalmers Community. Access to everything on the east side and downtown. Can easily skip I-94 as Kercheval, Mack and Warren will get you any where you want to go near the St. John complex.

94, 75, 696 easily accessable.[[sp) Can be out of town in minutes.

No problem with Saint Clair Shores, either. I wish I had a grand a month for rent when I was your age.

Welcome to Detroit. Eat, Drink and be Merry.

Welcome to the North from Georgia. Buy a good shovel and enjoy the snow. Will not be as bad next year.

See I told you Detroiters were uber friendly, even our ex pats. Give age and a few details and people will probably try to get you married.

Stay on the board when you move and you will be amazed at the tours and home invites you receive. The real Detroit is nothing like our national image.

Once you harden off, try living in the city too. Lots of worts and pimples but such amazing people and experiences too. I am total city. Sumas

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Originally Posted by bailey

Also, there is this if you assignment is part of training...
http://www.grossepointepark.org/inde...ing-foundation

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^THIS
I'm currently doing my residency at St. John and the GP Housing Foundation is an amazing program. I live in GPP and pay <$300 for my two bedroom flat. Walking distance to everything I need and two semi-private lakefront parks.
Feel free to PM me if you want more details. I grew up in GP and I know the area well. And welcome to St. John! Congratulations - it's a wonderful place to work and train.

Hey Alex, very nice info on GPP. Lived there loved it. The parks were fantastic. St Johns is a great hospital. The staff fantastic. Heck I was born there. My Dad always said the best kids came from St John.

I love my Detroit home but totally agree GPP is a great place to live.

Thank you so much Alex, and my future colleague, thats a great information... thank you every one once again... now i am feeling confident and proud to be part of D town and feeling excited to be here