If you were 22-26 yo, would you move to Detroit RIGHT NOW? Why?

[michimoby]

In principle, 48009, I'm in alignment with your frustrations.

The concern I have is with the way you're conveying it. I quickly discovered, in a previous thread not many months back, that spending time criticizing Detroit and its pitfalls is not conducive for evoking change. I sense that your intent here is to instill a sense of reflection in Detroiters with the hope that, yes, the region will learn and grow from the successes of other cities.

But, there's a chasm there, and it has to do with the instilled self-defense present in anyone that makes the decision to live, work, and play in the region. Hell, even those that don't live locally, but are from Detroit, stand up for the city...more so that a lot of the Pittsburgh transplants, and they're borderline batshit.

For the time being, Detroit is content on finding its own routes for change -- now, that means it may come much more slowly and in an unorthodox way. Do I wish that it would come faster, with some genuine reflection on the successes of other cities? Sure. But you're dealing with the equivalent of an adult that was emotionally abused over the past four decades by big brothers in other cities, so the propensity to openly adopt suggestions from "outsiders" or those with global experience is not as high as a place like Chicago. It is what it is, and I frankly can't blame them.

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On a side note, to the poster suggesting that NYC and Chicago have no opportunity for revitalization -- complete horsepucky. I have dozens of examples why that's completely erroneous, and why I've found just as much opportunity for city improvement -- if not more -- in Brooklyn as I did in Detroit.

[dtowncitylover]

On a side note, to the poster suggesting that NYC and Chicago have no opportunity for revitalization -- complete horsepucky. I have dozens of examples why that's completely erroneous, and why I've found just as much opportunity for city improvement -- if not more -- in Brooklyn as I did in Detroit.

Indeed, this is true. But the neighborhoods that need revitalization are not the poster child for the entire city, like most of the neighborhoods of Detroit are for the city in the national mindset. One thinks Manhattan when they imagine NYC, not Grand Concourse and 174th or thinks of the Mag Mile, not 59th and Halsted.

[illwill]

In principle, 48009, I'm in alignment with your frustrations.

The concern I have is with the way you're conveying it. I quickly discovered, in a previous thread not many months back, that spending time criticizing Detroit and its pitfalls is not conducive for evoking change. I sense that your intent here is to instill a sense of reflection in Detroiters with the hope that, yes, the region will learn and grow from the successes of other cities.

But, there's a chasm there, and it has to do with the instilled self-defense present in anyone that makes the decision to live, work, and play in the region. Hell, even those that don't live locally, but are from Detroit, stand up for the city...more so that a lot of the Pittsburgh transplants, and they're borderline batshit.

For the time being, Detroit is content on finding its own routes for change -- now, that means it may come much more slowly and in an unorthodox way. Do I wish that it would come faster, with some genuine reflection on the successes of other cities? Sure. But you're dealing with the equivalent of an adult that was emotionally abused over the past four decades by big brothers in other cities, so the propensity to openly adopt suggestions from "outsiders" or those with global experience is not as high as a place like Chicago. It is what it is, and I frankly can't blame them.

-----

On a side note, to the poster suggesting that NYC and Chicago have no opportunity for revitalization -- complete horsepucky. I have dozens of examples why that's completely erroneous, and why I've found just as much opportunity for city improvement -- if not more -- in Brooklyn as I did in Detroit.

Michimoby,

You're absolutely correct and hit the nail on the head! I usually keep silent when I hear Detroit cheerleaders continually saying Detroit is a city for people to make their mark because it's so underdeveloped. As if all areas of Chicago and Brooklyn are already built-up to capacity and can no longer be enhanced. That's so laughable and the biggest misnomer I've ever heard. The fact is parts of Brooklyn & Chicago's West & South sides are much like Detroit. That's why many of these college grads are drawn to these other cities because they have the best of both worlds. The excitement of living in neighborhoods where they can witness constant change and also have some of the other amenities such as mass transit, shopping options, multiple connecting neighborhoods etc. Despite what the media reports, parts of Brooklyn, Bronx, New Jersey and Chicago are just as affordable as Detroit. There's a ton of opportunity in NYC. If there weren't, why do so many people STILL move there without a job or an apartment lined up? So the argument that Detroit has an advantage over other cities because you can be a part of the rebuilding process is true, but it is also the case with other cities that happen to be thriving at the same time.

Unfortunately, the Governor Snyder argument doesn't fly and the proof is in the pudding. Fifty-six percent of new Cook County residents are from Michigan. That's sad!

[48009]

The fact is parts of Brooklyn & Chicago's West & South sides are much like Detroit. That's why many of these college grads are drawn to these other cities because they have the best of both worlds.

Bingo. To be clear, the overwhelming majority of 20-something college grads don't give a damn about developing anything, they're flooding into major cities that are ready. Detroit is so far from what these others offer in that regard, I don't see how it can ever catch up and compete city vs city. Detroit may get a trickle of kids who want to "make a difference," while the rest of the major cities continue to get hundreds of thousands of college-educated new blood every summer. That is a major issue for Detroit.

[bailey]

Bingo. To be clear, the overwhelming majority of 20-something college grads don't give a damn about developing anything, they're flooding into major cities that are ready. Detroit is so far from what these others offer in that regard, I don't see how it can ever compete. Good luck with a trickle of kids who want to "make a difference," while the rest of the major cities continue to get hundreds of thousands of college-educated new blood every summer.

Ok. got it. however, all those cities were shitholes not that long ago. Chicago or NYC in the 80s? C'mon...peak hell hole.

So, question is, what can be done here to turn it around. Do we need to airlift the gheys here to do here what they in so many other big cities? I mean who else can take abattriors and turn them into Apple stores?

[48009]

Ok. got it. however, all those cities were shitholes not that long ago. Chicago or NYC in the 80s? C'mon...peak hell hole.

So, question is, what can be done here to turn it around. Do we need to airlift the gheys here to do here what they in so many other big cities? I mean who else can take abattriors and turn them into Apple stores?

No city has ever been as bad as current Detroit, but I understand your point. The 80s was 3 decades ago and those are two 1st tier cities that have seen incredible improvements. Even if Detroit could follow templates other cities followed, you're looking at several decades of improvements, and since Detroit is a 3rd or 4th tier major city, the process of improvement is likely slower and/or maybe not even possible. A 23 yo could move to Detroit after college and see very little improvement over the next 10 years, while also coping with limited employment opps and all of the other various shortcomings of Detroit.

Gays would rather continue developing Brooklyn and then move onto Queens, NY. So maybe ask them in 30 years if they're avail to save Detroit.

[canuck]

Ok. got it. however, all those cities were shitholes not that long ago. Chicago or NYC in the 80s? C'mon...peak hell hole.

So, question is, what can be done here to turn it around. Do we need to airlift the gheys here to do here what they in so many other big cities? I mean who else can take abattriors and turn them into Apple stores?

Recipe for success in restoring duh D to its former glor-ee.


Airlifting Gheys into duh D.

Carpetbombing ghee [[clarified indian butter) on duh D.

Shooting some episodes of "Glee" in duh D.

Dropping the "R" in Greektown Casino to give a new spin on the place thereby attracting "Geeks" of all persuasions into downtown.

[Spartan]

Bingo. To be clear, the overwhelming majority of 20-something college grads don't give a damn about developing anything, they're flooding into major cities that are ready. Detroit is so far from what these others offer in that regard, I don't see how it can ever catch up and compete city vs city. Detroit may get a trickle of kids who want to "make a difference," while the rest of the major cities continue to get hundreds of thousands of college-educated new blood every summer. That is a major issue for Detroit.

Then why is Detroit's young professional population growing significantly faster than the average large city?

[bailey]

Then why is Detroit's young professional population growing significantly faster than the average large city?

because it's not a "mature" population.

If the D has 1000 [[totally made up number) yps move in and that is a say a 70% increase that is a little different that pointing to a 2-3% or even negative year over year growth for some other place when that place has 10,000+ yps moving there every year.

[[none of that is to say it's not a positive indicator...just saying not quite apples to apples)