Pros and Cons... Bring it On!

While I personally feel I made a great decision in moving to Detroit, this type of move may not be for everyone which is something I thoroughly recognized after a brisk morning walk through the city. As I took in the sights of my bustling Detroit metropolis, while sipping my coffee from Chez Zara, I started to think about my original pros and cons list. I’m an organized planner so as you can probably imagine my list was long and mainly in favor of the cons because I was very skeptical given my background. Today I took a look at that original list and giggled to myself because… I was completely wrong. 

After analyzing, I was able to group my original cons list into the following six categories: work, living situations, safety, social agenda, transportation and shopping. As you read on, you’ll see the six categories and my discoveries while living in Detroit.

Work:  Detroit is very entrepreneurial, so if opening a business is in your future this is a great place to start because of the available space and wide demographic. “Drive. Detroit’s Table Tennis Social Club” is just one example of a recent startup. It’s a business dedicated to providing a location for people with a love for table tennis, click here to learn more. Clearly the sky is the limit for adamant entrepreneurs.

In addition to startups, there are also a number of established industries in the downtown and surrounding areas which, for example, include automotive, healthcare, marketing, hospitality, government and service. While Detroit is still in the process of redeveloping, a downfall is how a number of larger organizations have not yet made the move downtown.     

Living situation: When I made the move a couple years ago I knew an apartment was a logical step because technically it was only a year long commitment so if it didn’t work out, parting ways would be simple. Obviously the city and I got along very well because three signatures later, I’m looking at my third lease on the same apartment. The living situation was a major concern when I first moved, mainly because I came from a small, friendly town. So after apartment research, several visits and more than 21 questions I proudly accepted the key to the apartment.    

Two years later though if you’re looking for an apartment the typical saying is “Get em while they’re hot!!” With the number of people moving in masses to Detroit, apartment availability is at a minimum. After a recent conversation with the property manager, my apartment building is at about 90% capacity, which is similar to many other buildings in the area. Again, “Get Em While They’re Hot!”   

Safety: Don’t believe everything you hear! I was extremely skeptical, given the reputation, before moving to Detroit but over these past couple years I can truly say I’ve never been afraid for my safety. Continually you’ll see the Detroit Police Department, US Border Patrol, Wayne State Police and various other security personnel patrolling all areas of the city. A number of organizations have also created their own security team that assist in patrolling many of the public gathering areas, streets and sidewalks.  

Social events: There really is always something happening whether it is a sporting event, concert, restaurant opening, festival, etc., boredom is seldom an excuse to stay home. Fortunately my apartment community develops a monthly calendar that quite literally shows you something going on in Detroit every day of the month. So those over ambitious individuals looking for a challenge can find one very easily by attempting to partake in an event every day.

 

Chess Anyone?

 

Life-size chess set available daily just outside Campus Martis.

Transportation: Unlike most major cities, Detroit is laid out in a way that's difficult to walk everywhere because several of the communities are located miles apart. I did end up choosing to keep a car which was simple because there was plenty of parking garage availability. However, walking remains my preferred choice of transportation.

There are also a number of other transportation options for those who choose not to have their own car. The Detroit People Mover is a convenient choice which can transport you just about anywhere in the immediate downtown area, I actually use this service to get to work everyday. Taxi and bus services are also available with pickup locations in many of the surrounding Detroit communities. ZipCar also recently became available for Detroiters! This transportation option allows individuals to rent their own car on the spot with six convenient locations for vehicle pickups.

 

Detroit ZipCar locations!

 

Shopping: Initially I thought I’d have to travel outside the city to do any sort of shopping, especially for groceries. Almost instantaneously I was proven wrong when I discovered a mini grocery store located just outside of my building! Not only was this very enlightening, it actually lead to the discovery of several additional grocery shopping opportunities at places like Eastern Market, Honey Bee Market and Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe. My fear of an empty fridge has since been eliminated.

 

Detroit is a city that continues to amaze, breaking down the barriers… one list of cons at a time. Love Always, Detroit

Adapt and Conquer

From rural living to city living it’s safe to say, from my experience, the transition can be a bit of a culture shock. Not only are the physical surroundings different, the internal feelings associated with the change can be just as foreign. From being taken back by the size of the city, to the diversity amongst the local population the transition can be tough. Adapting to the new culture definitely took time simply because everything was way out of the ordinary. However, as was stated in the previous post, believing in the ability to adapt and conquer is part of that initial leap of faith.

The key to overcoming this shock is to find things that interest you, and in a city like Detroit there are plenty of options. For instance, did you know Detroit has a welcome center?! Located on the easily accessible and notably famous Woodward Avenue, the “D Hive” strives to provide both residents and newcomers an all access pass to everything from organizations to join, volunteer opportunities, networking events, social events, etc. This is also a great place to start if you’re thinking of moving to Detroit as they can recommend locations in the city that would best fit your needs and show you available accommodations. To learn more about the D Hive click here to visit their welcome site! 

Click the map for directions to the D Hive!

During my city living transition, I started noticing what looked to be garden-like structures in various locations in the downtown area. This struck my curiosity because I couldn’t remember a summer without growing a garden… here come those country roots again. After a little investigation I was spot on because I managed to land myself in an urban gardening community in Midtown Detroit. While this may sound like an oxymoron, urban farming and gardening organizations have been popping up all over the city. Organizations, who are able to provide funding, have been transforming vacant and unused city lots into these clean, sustainable gardens that are mainly tended by volunteers. There are a number of different purposes for each garden as well. Some are voluntarily maintained and the produce is provided to local food pantries and shelters, while others offer space gardeners can rent to grow their own produce.

For the last two summer seasons I’ve rented plots in the Art Center Community Garden in Midtown Detroit. A single plot in 2012, blissfully grew to two plots in 2013. However these plots don’t come without a price… in addition to caring for the personal garden, volunteer time is required in the public garden area’s in order to renew the same space the following year. Through this volunteer time I’ve met so many people who share the same interests and even have the same background as I do. So that whole transition thing… piece of cake.  

See the Garden Grow!

Urban gardening is just an example as there are countless other organizations and opportunities in Detroit that can make newcomers feel right at home. Whether it’s the D Hive that points you in the right direction or you just take a walk and make your own discovery, there is a place for everyone here… Love Always, Detroit.

Welcome to the City

Sunrise in the Motor City

I’m Jessica, who went from being a County Fair Queen to a Devoted Detroit Enthusiast. If someone were to have asked me a few years ago if I ever thought I would end up where I am today, I’d probably tell them Detroit was at the bottom of my list, if it even made my list. However, as everyone knows a first hand experience and a leap of faith can change even the most doubtful mind. So through a series of fortunate events, I’ve found myself living in the heart of the Motor City... and absolutely loving every minute of it.

To give a little background, I grew up in a small town where the definition of a “traffic jam” was driving 15mph in your truck, behind a tractor blocking the 2 lane road during harvest season. It was quiet, serene and the smell of straw bales filled the air with each opening of the barn. It was a town where the front door was never locked and everyone knew everyone’s name. So why leave? Well besides the fact that my bachelors degree wasn’t going to help me find a job in the rural community, it was time for a change and it was time to take a chance.

Living in Detroit was a big change, but it’s a city that did give me a chance. I’ve been presented with countless opportunities to grow, learn, live and love while still holding onto my small town roots. It’s my goal with this blog to turn even the biggest skeptic into a believer because this is a city that’s ready to prove itself. I’ll be sharing my first hand experiences to show you Detroit is a city that’s constantly changing and it wants to show the world what it’s got. From events to history to beauty to the humble culture, you can almost feel the city tell you each time you step out onto the sidewalk, “You’re welcome… Love Always, Detroit” 

 

Love Always, Detroit