Moving to Detroit!

**Ford216** · December-11-12, 05:09 PM

Hello.... I'm moving to Detroit from Chicago and I'm looking for a place to live. I've heard great things about Royal Oak, Birmingham, and Ferndale, but a lot of apartments online seem to need of a modern-day facelift. I'm excited to be in the area, and to find a house with historic charm and character, but I'm struggling to find one that suits my needs right now.

Which brings me to explore some opportunities in downtown Detroit. I know it's not Chicago, but I do like a great view, a building with a gym, maybe a roofdeck, close proximity to cool new restaurants, bars, parks, lake front, or something. Are there lofts, condos, high-rises, or any places downtown that are super-cool, totally safe, and have modern appliances?

I'm in desperate need some help, please?!

What are the areas, places, or locations to search on Craigslist, ie search for "Corktown" or "University District" or something?
Do you know of any rental agents that are active downtown? If so, please share a reference?
Is there a better way to search for good housing downtown?

Thanks guys. I look forward to joining the Detroit/Michigan community! Cheers....

PS: I'm a marketing/sales guy in my early-30s, single, with a dog. I don't need much, but I like get out and run or walk my pooch at various times during the day/night. Hopefully that's not a deal breaker downtown!

**Eber Brock Ward** · December-11-12, 05:31 PM

Where are you moving from?

I just made the move from Wicker Park. Before that, I lived in Ukrainian Village, East Lakeview, and the Gold Coast. Where you're moving from and what neighborhoods you liked will influence what you'd like here.

Dollars to donuts your best bet is gonna be the Broderick [[if any subleases have come up) or the Park Shelton.

Get on it early! We intended to rent but there were no rentals available in the places we looked and you're probably looking, so get a move on if the move is for sure.

**TexasT** · December-11-12, 05:56 PM

As far as neighborhoods, look at Downtown and Midtown if you want to be close to restaurants/bars/activity.

The Auburn [[just built/opened) in Midtown had a few places available, but I'm not sure now. It's a 58-unit two story with mixed retail on the bottom.

http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2...v-1-movein.php

http://midtowndetroitinc.org/live/rent/the-auburn

We also looked at Lofts at Merchant Row, but our dog was too big at 50 lbs. They didn't have any openings but we found a sublease. This is right downtown.

http://www.loftsofmerchantsrow.com/

As noted above, the newly renovated Broderick Tower may interest you. It's downtown and has great views. Park Shelton is good as well, up in Midtown right by the museums.

**401don** · December-11-12, 06:16 PM

Check out Millender Center Apts. Modern, well-maintained building. Indoor pool/whirlpool, fitness center, rooftop tennis and patio, balconies with river view. Close to riverfront and Greektown. Decor of apts. may be a little dated.

www.millender.com

**MidTownMs** · December-11-12, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

Check out Millender Center Apts. Modern, well-maintained building. Indoor pool/whirlpool, fitness center, rooftop tennis and patio, balconies with river view. Close to riverfront and Greektown. Decor of apts. may be a little dated.

www.millender.com

I would have to agree. Based on what the OP said he was looking for the Millender Center Apts. gets my vote too.

**Spartan** · December-12-12, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by 401don

Check out Millender Center Apts. Modern, well-maintained building. Indoor pool/whirlpool, fitness center, rooftop tennis and patio, balconies with river view. Close to riverfront and Greektown. Decor of apts. may be a little dated.

www.millender.com

fyi, Millender does not allow dogs. Broderick, Kales, Detroit City Apartments to me seem the best options for what you're looking for. Have heard pretty good things about Lofts at Merchants Row and Lofts of Woodward Center, and Broadway Lofts [[2br only) as well.

**gthomas** · December-11-12, 11:00 PM

Lafayette Towers!

**marshamusic** · December-12-12, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by gthomas

Lafayette Towers!

I would recommend Lafayette Pavilion.

**Chicago48** · December-12-12, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by Marsha Music

I would recommend Lafayette Pavilion.

Dear Chicago Guy,
I hope you have a car, because you're going to need it for Detroit. The city doesn't have an IGO car sharing, maybe a Zipcar, but you will definitely need a car.

As for where to stay, you may want to contact a RE agent. Midtown is built up. Have you visited the city yet to just drive around?

Do it.

**Hermod** · December-12-12, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by Chicago48

Dear Chicago Guy,
I hope you have a car, because you're going to need it for Detroit. The city doesn't have an IGO car sharing, maybe a Zipcar, but you will definitely need a car.

As for where to stay, you may want to contact a RE agent. Midtown is built up. Have you visited the city yet to just drive around?

Do it.

Do like Detroiters, just use your Kel-Tec key anytime you need temporary use of a car.

**Ford216** · December-12-12, 12:39 AM

Thanks folks..... I'll check out your recos. Keep the good ideas comin'!

**p69rrh51** · December-12-12, 01:32 AM

If you actually saw how the Millender was built and the problems the building had during construction you would stay a million miles away from it!!
Check what is known as the Cabbage Patch in Grosse Pointe Park also. You are very close to downtown while getting far better services for your dollar.

**Islandman** · December-12-12, 05:17 AM

i knew a few guys that stayed at the Millender in the 80s. One couple had an awesome 2 bedroom that was a mirror image, great apartment for roommates. Never saw an issue; what were the problems p69?

**p69rrh51** · December-12-12, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Islandman

i knew a few guys that stayed at the Millender in the 80s. One couple had an awesome 2 bedroom that was a mirror image, great apartment for roommates. Never saw an issue; what were the problems p69?

I was working at DuMouchelle's at the time so i got to see the construction up close. One the external cladding is glued on, and not the first spec glue as panels fell off when they hung them the first time. Also over all the quality of the materials and workmanship to me was very poor. I do not know what the life span of the glue and with the building coming up on 30 who knows what problems are lurking about?

**mwilbert** · December-12-12, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

I was working at DuMouchelle's at the time so i got to see the construction up close. One the external cladding is glued on, and not the first spec glue as panels fell off when they hung them the first time. Also over all the quality of the materials and workmanship to me was very poor. I do not know what the life span of the glue and with the building coming up on 30 who knows what problems are lurking about?

One of the nice things about renting is that this isn't your problem. I don't really see why that would be a reason not to rent in Millender. It might be a reason not to buy a condo there if they ever convert it.

**MidTownMs** · December-12-12, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by mwilbert

One of the nice things about renting is that this isn't your problem. I don't really see why that would be a reason not to rent in Millender. It might be a reason not to buy a condo there if they ever convert it.

You make a very good point.

**p69rrh51** · December-12-12, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by mwilbert

One of the nice things about renting is that this isn't your problem. I don't really see why that would be a reason not to rent in Millender. It might be a reason not to buy a condo there if they ever convert it.

If you want to live in a poorly constructed building that is your choice. For me I would look for a better building to live in especially with all the fabulous apartment buildings in the city.

**grumpyoldlady** · December-13-12, 02:40 AM

Totally safe??? What dream world are you living in??? No place in Detroit is even moderately safe. The scum that kill, attack, rob and burglarize drive! So they can just cruise through a "totally safe" neighborhood...see you out walking your dog, and "Bam", you're a dot on the violent crimes map. Check it out.... stats available by the month or overall. http://www.detroitnews.com/article/9...AL01/120606001

**MizMotown** · December-12-12, 09:16 AM

what the hell for? lol... good luck!

**AGinthe313** · December-12-12, 09:41 AM

I just noticed this one on craigslsit -

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/apa/3464386730.html

**Motor City Sam** · December-12-12, 11:30 AM

Welcome to Detroit, Ford216.

**jayclarkreid** · December-12-12, 08:12 PM

Here's to you and your doggie joining the community in your "totally safe" loft/condo with modern appliances...

**Eber Brock Ward** · December-13-12, 07:20 AM

I wish it were possible to remove people involved in some shit from the stats.

Id bet the murder /violent crime rate for people that keep their noses clean is within a std deviation of the large city norm.

**Meddle** · December-13-12, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Ford216

I don't need much, but I like get out and run or walk my pooch at various times during the day/night.

Don't forget your body armor.

**poobert** · December-13-12, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Meddle

Don't forget your body armor.

For those of us who peel ourselves off the couch and lead active lives, I can say I have run [[and lived in) many places in the city with zero problems. This is not boosting, this is simply my experience. I have logged literally thousands of miles in the city over the years, zero problems. Maybe I'm just too fast!

I mostly run in East English Village nowadays where I often get delayed talking to my neighbors. I like to take a run down to the lake but running in GP makes me leery what with all the blue hairs that can't see over the steering wheel coming back from high tea at the War Memorial [[kidding - GP is pretty nice to run in).

If you like 1920s-1930s houses and a close-knit neighborhood in the city, think about East English Village. There are lots of other nice places to think about in the city, too.

My big issue is that we don't really have good places to run - no trails, or the like, even in GP - but I digress.

You can always run on Belle Isle, which is great. And to the first person who starts talking about bullets flying and other assorted nonsense on Belle Isle, may I preemptively say: go screw yourself fatty.