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.