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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 1
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 2:12 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This might be long so pull up a chair and a drink but it is all seriously being asked.

We currently live in Greenville, SC and are thinking about moving to Detroit. I was born and raised there, dragged away by my parents in 1967 when I wasn't old enough to say I don't want to go. My wife was raised in a large northern city also.

What is attracting us to Detroit is the number of livable homes available for $3-$5,000. The thought of a paid for home interests us. But we have questions.

We are not professionals demanding large income. I am a disabled veteran, my wife has spent 20+ years in restaurant management or waitressing.

Even though we are a middle aged white family we cannot take anymore of these uneducated, backwoods thinking southerners who want things to stay in the 1950s. We spoke with a real estate agent in Detroit and it was so pleasant to speak with someone who had intellegence. The saying around here is as soon as you cross the SC state line the IQ drops 50 points. If anyone has seen the movie "Idiocracy" we are living it down here.

Of course down here Detroit is getting bad media coverage. Rampant crime, non stop murders and no jobs. We spent most of our lives in a majority black city (Atlanta), it had crime to but we learned you stay out of where you don't belong and you keep your mouth shut. 20 years in Atlanta and never a victim of a crime.

Here are our questions for your consideration:

1. Can my wife find a job in Detroit doing restaurant or waitress work and if so how plentyful.

2. Is the crime as bad as it's being portrayed where a family could not live safely. Or as a retired Atlanta cop would my background come into use more than I expect?

3. I know city services are stretched due to finances but we're used to no services. We have no street lights, volunteer fire department and seldom see a cop with response time police or EMS taking longer than needed.

Every time we mention to someone we are thinking about moving to Detroit we get the standard line. "Are you crazy?" My mother's only comment was along the lines that my medicine was affecting my brain.

Our family make up is 55 year old male, 45 year old female and 15 year old daughter who is homeschooled.

Any and all imput deeply appreciated as we make this decision. Thank you in advance.
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Chub
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Username: Chub

Post Number: 508
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 2:51 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There are very good reasons for "livable homes" costing only $3,000-$5,000. Think about it, and you've answered your question I think.
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Sean_of_detroit
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Username: Sean_of_detroit

Post Number: 46
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 5:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I moved to Downtown Detroit about five years ago. I too heard about the rampant violent crimes in the City. I quickly learned that this is not true. I'm not saying it's non-existent, but it's not nearly as bad as people say. If you were fine in Atlanta, then you should be fine too. Property crime is another issue. To solve this problem, I would recommend budgeting in a really good burglar alarm/theft detection system. Usually, the benefit of getting the house so cheap offsets this expense.

Five years ago when I moved to the city, it was substantially different. Detroit has been cleaned up a lot, but it still has a ways to go. I would recommend reading the article I attached below to see why some people are so turned off by this place. The writer of this article made the mistake of thinking the local government would be helpful in the efforts to make this city a better place when she moved here. In reality it seems to be the residents who have been working for decades to raise this city from the dead, in spite of the local government. The silver lining to that statement is that many of the cities residents are extremely devoted to their neighborhoods and communities, something not all that common today. If you are one of those people, you'll do great here (just remember a lot of your actions and good intentions might seem pointless sometimes).

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080313/OPINION02/803130351

To answer your other questions;

1. I had about a year as a line cook at my first city job, and never had a problem finding jobs once I had that experience. We've had many new restaurants open recently. Besides that, we have five new hotels opening this year, all of which will have at least one restaurant (three of those are casino hotels, which will probably, or already have several restaurants. You can call these places to ask if they are hiring (does anyone have a Detroit business directory?), as they usually only accept resumes and applications through the Internet (some of the small restaurants are actually having a hard time finding RELIABLE help, or so I'm told. If all else fails, you should have no problem finding a job in the suburbs or across the river in Windsor. Windsor has bus transit through the tunnel, but the suburbs would require a car.

2. This was answered above. Your experience should come in handy here. Don't park in back alleys, don't keep anything in your car that doesn't need to be there, especially anything valuable, don't park on a street with vandalized street lights, and so forth. Pretty common sense stuff. It has been said that the cities crime rate was directly related to our boarder crossing, and the assumption by drug dealers that they wouldn't be bothered in some more run down areas of the city. Most of that crime occurs between dealers, and only occasionally do others get stuck in the cross fire.

3. Lack of City services is a big one, but sounds like it may be on par with what you've experienced. Another issue is high taxes and insurance, which (if your creative) can also be offset by the cheaper house and food prices.

Finally, here's my understanding of what is going on in Detroit right now. The city lost to many residents to maintain itself properly. Many structures were abandon for years, and many things did not get fixed when they were supposed to (even the freeways were neglected). As things got worse we could not attract many good city employees/politicians (becoming a politician in Detroit might be considered political career suicide by some).

After decades of work, there seems to be some payoffs for the residents who have been at it for so long. The Super Bowl got rid of many (but not all) abandon buildings (Many crime fears were amplified by the abandon houses and skyscrapers that dotted the city).

Anyway, the overall idea for Detroit seems to be based on downtown. The way of thinking here is that Michigan had no urban areas. Detroiters apparently realized there was a real opportunity to turn itself around based on that assumption. By creating a vibrant downtown, Detroit would effectively have a destination that people would want to live and work in, and an area that would attract entrepreneurs that, hopefully would see opportunities that were being missed.

What few people (such as the person in that article) realize is how close we could be to a tipping point. Corktown, Midtown, and Lafayette Park, could become prime locations in the future.

Corktown seems to be a divided mix with eventually more families in the single family housing areas, and younger people living in the former industrial area closer to the river. Midtown seems to be a mix of low income people and college students, as well as many other smaller demographic groups. Lafayette Park seems to have mostly renters/condo dwellers who are looking for more seclusion, such as retirees.

Besides being close to downtown, each of these areas has something special or unique. These are the areas that are currently seeing the most growth. If you want a area with slightly better amenities and is nicely kept, I wouldn't venture much farther than a mile from downtown (this might be where the above article's writer made a mistake).

Unfortunately, these areas are often more expensive than what you are probably looking for. The areas with the cheapest homes are the areas outside that mile radius. If you buy outside that area, expect little to change for now. The plan seems to be to push development outward from downtown to the surrounding neighborhoods, and then to the areas surrounding those neighborhoods. There is much debate if this will actually work. Many people seem to either see the glass half empty or have full. In reality, that doesn't matter. All that matters is that the glass contains milk. Meaning you can either drink the milk, or fill it more. It could go either way depending on you and your neighbors actions, efforts, and beliefs.

That being said, there are also the neighborhoods outside of all this. This is ware you will find the really cheap homes. I don't have much to say about these, other than the better maintained neighborhoods are small (often compared to islands in a sea of blight). Boston Edison, Mexicantown, Palmer Park, Old Rosedale, and small parts of the mile roads (8Mile, 7Mile, etc.) all fit in this category. If you don't want to be that involved in the community, and don't have patience, then I really would stick near downtown.

You can read more about these places, and all of Detroit's neighborhoods at:

http://www.modelDmedia.com

(Message edited by sean_of_detroit on March 31, 2008)
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Sumas
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Username: Sumas

Post Number: 83
Registered: 01-2008
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 8:01 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Welcome to Detroit. Eastside/Westside, there are still plenty of good neighborhoods. We left the city because of schools. Came back when our kids were grown. If you are involved in home schooling, there are great networks here for you.Hope you consider moving to Detroit. There really are a lot of great people living in the city.
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Detroitplanner
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Username: Detroitplanner

Post Number: 1592
Registered: 04-2006
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 8:19 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You are not going to be able to find a livable home for $3,000 to $5,000. A home like that will need $40,000 - $50,000 worth of work at a minimum. Its going to have structural problems, its going to need major upgrades to furnace, water, electrical, it will be butt ugly, and in a nieghborhood full of noise.

Where the real bargains are is in the $75,000-$100,000 range. A couple of years ago these were selling for $100,000 to $150,000.
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Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 690
Registered: 02-2007
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 8:50 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Rid - you're looking to escape backwoods and backwards people by moving to a $5K home in Detroit? By all means: drop everything and come to Detroit, then, and you will discover what it means to go from frying pan to fire.

Looking forward to reading about how the progressive-minded people of 'affordable' Detroit embrace your equally progressive-thinking family.
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Mackinaw
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Username: Mackinaw

Post Number: 4549
Registered: 02-2005
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 9:08 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Welcome to the forum-- come to Detroit.
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Larjmarj
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Username: Larjmarj

Post Number: 10
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 9:31 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cheaper homes in fairly decent neighborhoods can also be found just south of Detroit proper in River Rouge, Ecorse, Lincoln Park and Melvindale.
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Hockey_player
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Username: Hockey_player

Post Number: 413
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 9:42 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You think going from South Carolina to a city where half the population is illiterate is a way of getting away from "uneducated, backwards thinking?"
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Hybridy
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Username: Hybridy

Post Number: 228
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 12:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Rid0617

As a Detroiter for the past five years, I would encourage you to relocate here. I've lived in Greenville (Piedmont) for some time and really loved the area. Falls Parks is by far one of the greatest urban parks in the country. You obviously did not live in Greenville proper because the city is vibrant and full of great shops, restaurants, fantastic historic neighborhoods, the west end, and a slew of pricey condos. It's all a little fake to me, but main street is picturesque small town America at its finest.

Before you move, I would highly recommend you come explore the city with a knowledgeable guide for a number of days. And when you find a neighborhood you like, make sure u visit during the day and the night.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TRANSITION
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 3
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 1:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"You obviously did not live in Greenville proper"

We live in a small town called Reidville which is half way between Greenville and Spartanburg. My wife works in Greenville. It does seem to be phony here. She is constantly amazed how ignorant and racist people are. She is mixed (Indian & white) but still catches the racial overtones. A high school lesson on common sense would do well here. Eventually they will quit trying to re-write the civil war down here.

SC is 47th in per capita income, 50th in education and you could lose your car in the pot holes.

(Message edited by rid0617 on March 31, 2008)
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Courtney
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Username: Courtney

Post Number: 169
Registered: 06-2004
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 2:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Rid - I grew up in Greenville (well, right behind Mauldin High, graduate of Southside which seems to be the butt of even more jokes as of late) and lived in Detroit for 6 years and now St Clair Shores for over 2.

I can absolutely see why you'd want out of Reidville (you have my sympathy) but I'm not sure you'll be able to find nirvana in the dirt cheap houses here. Not counting the Simpsonville or Woodruff Rd areas, the amount of house you'll get down there (taking into account the state of repair and yard) is far more than up here.

The potholes are nothing down there - while it's always obvious where the state line between NC and SC is based on road quality alone, you'd be in for a rude awakening thinking they are anywhere as bad as here.

Education wise, the districts up here seem more level with Spartanburg districts but more lacking (again, sweeping generalization I'm making) than Greenville or even some Anderson districts. I'm still highly leaning towards homeschooling my kid, and I think if we were back in SC, I wouldn't be leaning this way as much.

Sadly, also, if you get into the suburbs here, you're going to encounter far more racism than you'd expect.

I love Detroit and this area, but it's far from perfect and honestly, some days I feel very homesick.
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Masterblaster
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Username: Masterblaster

Post Number: 154
Registered: 03-2005
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 3:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If you can find work, please give Detroit a try. However, most of us are not the most progressive, so your wife might get a sideways glance.

Also, a lot of houses for that price are vacant foreclosures that have been stripped by thieves who are specifically targeting vacant foreclosures.

The only historical neighborhood where I know that you can find a house for a price like that is Russell Woods-Sullivan. But it is truly an island in the city. There is only one low-priced foreclosed house that I know of that has not been broken into and stripped by thieves. Two weeks ago, there were TEN, but these houses are now getting snapped up by so-called "investors", so you better hurry.

http://www.realestateone.com/c ontent/PropertyDetail.asp?list ingNumber=e28041599

That house will need to be updated though.

Here is another house that you might be able to get for $18K or $20K.

http://www.realestateone.com/c ontent/PropertyDetail.asp?list ingNumber=e28005115

Russell Woods-Sullivan has an active neighborhood council and a nice park in the middle of the neighborhood.

Another neighborhood called the Bagley Community is pretty well-maintained and has nice houses from the late 1920's and 30's. Here are some houses that need MAJOR updating though.

http://www.realestateone.com/c ontent/PropertyDetail.asp?list ingNumber=d1057163

http://www.realestateone.com/c ontent/PropertyDetail.asp?list ingNumber=e28021434
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Craig
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Username: Craig

Post Number: 692
Registered: 02-2007
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 3:31 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"Sadly, also, if you get into the suburbs here, you're going to encounter far more racism than you'd expect. "

And piles of racism in the City, too.
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Sec106
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Username: Sec106

Post Number: 25
Registered: 03-2007
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 5:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Problems? Always. Dull? Never.
Detroit Institute of Arts, The Henry Ford, The Detroit Symphony, Michigan Opera Theater, The Detroit Zoo, Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons and the Lions if you must. Three Casinos and scads of new restaurants and bars. The Detroit River walk and tons more.
Your wife will probably have no trouble finding a job in her field.
If you buy in the close older suburbs their schools are decent and the home values are down from a few years ago. The neighborhoods in Detroit that were mentioned are all good ones.
Good Luck!
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Histeric
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Username: Histeric

Post Number: 866
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 7:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have a friend (an employed brick mason) who recently bought a brick home for $5100 (foreclosure) and after about another 8K and a couple months of sweat equity, is moving in in a week or so. Not the best neighborhood but definitely not the worst. Close to Henry Ford hospital and a two mile drive down Grand River to the Central Business District. He loves the idea of not having to pay a monthly payment and he isn't sceeered. From what I can gather about your background, you will be just fine.
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Jjaba
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Username: Jjaba

Post Number: 6254
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 - 8:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Histeric, nice to see you back on The Forum. jjaba still remembers the great Corktown tour you gave him.

jjaba.
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 7
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 2:23 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thank you histeric. Do believe the move gonna take a whole lot of faith and prayer. Again I thank all input.
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Raggedclaws
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Username: Raggedclaws

Post Number: 169
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 7:07 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I would think that any responsible, well-adjusted adult would have standards higher than "not the best neighborhood but definitely not the worst". I know that I expect more for myself.

Just curious Hysteric...exactly what in Rid's post leads you to believe he has the "background" to be just fine living in Detroit ?
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 8
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 12:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Could be the career Atlanta cop background. I'm used to the best and worst a city has to offer.
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Sean_of_detroit
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Username: Sean_of_detroit

Post Number: 48
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 5:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As I implied, you'll get mixed opinions and reviews. One other thing I'd suggest, is keeping up with development news, blogs, and crime statistics. These can help in showing where a neighborhood is going.

Oh, and ALWAYS get your house inspected first! This is common sense, but I have seen so many people choose not to do this.

(Message edited by sean_of_detroit on April 01, 2008)
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 9
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 12:41 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well, the wife is as much interested as I am so we are trying to plan a trip up there within the next 2-4 weeks. We will seek an agent who knows the area & we'll just leave our desires and see how close they can hit it. Masterblaster those links you gave me, I don't know if they are yours or not. Please advise, if you don't want to do it here my email is rid0617@yahoo.com

If it gets spamed to death no problem, its a throw away address. Also, we've been looking on yahoo for businesses we're familiar with. Is there such a thing as the city limits go x amount of miles north and south, x amount of miles east and west? We can't find anything other than how many square miles the total city is. You all have been helpful and input is still welcome. Wish there was some way to meet each of you when we arrived.
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Mayor_sekou
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Username: Mayor_sekou

Post Number: 2168
Registered: 09-2006
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 12:48 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Go to realtor.com or http://www.mlsfinder.com/mi_re alcomp/kw_489/index.cfm
and check out the 48235 zip code. After checking the crime report maps from 2005 and 2007 a little while ago the majority of this and the 48221 zip codes are some of the statistically safest and fully occupied parts of the city. In the 48235 code you can find decent brick houses from anywhere from 10-30k with a relatively low (for Detroit) tax rate and rehab work. The same thing can be said of the 48221 code but the taxes are much higher in most cases. Good Luck to you and Welcome to Detroit.
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Hudkina
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Username: Hudkina

Post Number: 161
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 12:49 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here is a link to a map I made awhile ago that shows Detroit's boundaries:

http://www.downriverdetroit.ne t/detroitboundaries.jpg
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 11
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 12:52 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thank you so much. That wil help
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Histeric
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Username: Histeric

Post Number: 869
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 2:02 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I will make myself available while you are here.
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 15
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 2:31 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Histeric a sincere thank you. As plans come together I'll keep you posted. I have noticed even the people on this forum who think I'm nuts with this idea are very friendly and welcoming. Guess you can tell by the time I keep track of this often
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Isiostar
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Username: Isiostar

Post Number: 3
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 5:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Please check out the house in the daytime when all the trouble makers are sleep and at night around 8 or 9 when they all come out, to get the true feel for your new home.
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 19
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 6:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

After all my phone calls I have come up with my first negative on moving to Detroit. While it's not big enough to discourage it does have us checking more and does not have a single thing to do with
Detroit.

It appears some nimrod passed a law in the 70s called no fault insurance. I called a State Farm agent up there for a rate quote on my existing coverage. I almost fell through he floor when she told me it would be $150 a month more than I'm currently paying. The good thing in the phone call was she had nothing but praise for the Detroit and Ann Arbor VA hospitals. Here they are dumps with daily cut backs and poor health care.
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Spiritofdetroit
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Username: Spiritofdetroit

Post Number: 900
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 6:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

the VA hospitals in Ann Arbor and Detroit are great
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Gazhekwe
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Username: Gazhekwe

Post Number: 1823
Registered: 08-2007
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 7:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Good advice to check it out in the evening. It can change radically from light to dark, as some people seem to sleep the opposite, and be around to make all kinds of racket all night. I would try to pick an area where there aren't too many houses coming down.

As for no fault, it was supposed to lower the rates. Rates in Detroit are very high compared to the surrounding towns.

Our Detroit VA Hospital is brand new and looks great. I haven't heard anything bad about it, and there are some Veteran's groups that volunteer there.
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 20
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 7:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow did the politicians sell a bill of goods on that lower the rates. I'm 55, career law enforcement, no accidents, tickets or claims since the day I was licensed. One of my cars (1989 Lincoln Town Car, less than 100,000 miles)insurance here costs $90.05 every 6 months. In a zip code 25 miles from Detroit it was $458.90 every 6 months. Within the city limits it was $499.12.
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Hybridy
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Username: Hybridy

Post Number: 229
Registered: 08-2006
Posted on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 9:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

as a five-year resident of the 48221, i would highly recommend it
university district, palmer woods, sherwood forest though pricey still have some deals hiding
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Hudkina
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Username: Hudkina

Post Number: 163
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 12:51 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How the hell are they insuring your car for $15 a month? ;)
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 22
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 1:20 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

LOL I get that question alot. Been with state farm since 1996 so we get every discount they offer. Another discount is for multiple lines because they have our home insurance. Actual coverage is 25,50,25 (state minimum) we're not a no fault state so medical for yourself is an option you can decline. In this state the at fault vehicle pays your medical claims up to the amount of their policy. So, I have liability, uninsured motorist and towing. Being disabled its personal use only, no accidents or tickets since licensed.

My wife has a 1989 Grand Marquis. She's 45 no accidents or tickets, same coverage except her's has comprehensive. Hers is $106 every 6 months.

In Michigan for the Lincoln they wanted $458.90 for 6 months. $328.46 of that amount was for the mandatory medical coverage. They claimed it was that expensive because if you were injured in an accident they would be responsible for related medical bills for life. If this site would accept scans and uploads I'd send a copy of my bill.
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Livernoisyard
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Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 5744
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 1:35 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A good portion of the Michigan insurance rate has to do with car theft and the attendant risk from whatever harm to others that the car thieves may do with the vehicle. Again, another hidden cost due to Michigan's high crime rates.
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Sean_of_detroit
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Username: Sean_of_detroit

Post Number: 58
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 1:45 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"It Takes a Thief" on the Discovery Channel is good to watch if your worried about property crime.
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Rid0617
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Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 23
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 3:28 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I didn't want to start another thread with my many questions so I'll just put it here. What are the heating months up there? Trying to estimate what heating bills are. I'm finding a few references saying around $700 a season. We need heat from October to mid April in fact our furnace is running now. Our gas bill so far is 422.03. Figure the next bill should be our last one for heat. Thanks again. I hope you folks know how appreciative I am.
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Gannon
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Username: Gannon

Post Number: 12178
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 4:15 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Rid0617,


Welcome.


Please come.


We need you and your wife here...you obviously still have some of the Spirit of Detroit running through your veins.


There is a new group being founded that will be an outreach to homeless, and/or otherwise unreachable Vietnam vets. We need every living, balanced, and concerned Vet we can find to help this effort. I cannot talk about it publicly just yet, but can put you in touch with those who can.


Also, as long as the Mayor is chased from office, there are investors waiting to do more business in this town (at least MINE have put a moratorium on discussion until he leaves office and the corruption begins to be rooted out, sorry Mayoral supporters, this is my direct observation and motivation for helping effect change). There will be more opportunity for your wife soon, but at the moment things are a wee tight in the restaurant business.

I am trying to change that with a few business ideas that have been bouncing around my noggin for a few years, and hope to exercise them within the next eighteen months. Indeed, my goal is to help spark one hundred new jobs within the city limits, and then to help our BEST ten people start their own gigs to begin at least ten jobs themselves apiece, in a kinda 'Pay It Forward' sorta way...Job It Forward, Detroit, I guess.


There is hope, we need your help...and positive energy. One more full house. One more brick to build back our fair city.
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Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon

Post Number: 12179
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 4:22 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

My gas bill for an eighteen-hundred square foot warehouse loft (with two southern-facing ten-foot square windows to aid greenhouse heating) was around $600 this winter. It was $500 last one, but I have a roommate temporarily who keeps the heat on longer and higher.

I am the exception to the rule here, my neighbors with northern windows have paid as much as $400 per month...and I've heard cries of agony from friends who own larger and older homes without any upgrades in insulation and windows/doors (and are too lazy/crazy to layer themselves and throw an afghan on top when they watch the TeeVee!).

IF you think and plan ahead, you can curb those heating costs...choosing the right house will help loads. Choosing the proper-facing loft helped me...and doubting the power company's recommendation to run the heat all the time at some fixed temperature was the best thing I'd ever done. They are wrong, but WHY would anyone take advice from a company who is selling them a commodity?! heh


Cheers. Come up and meet Histeric. At least have lunch with him and let him give you a tour. It'll be well worth your time and effort.
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Rid0617
Member
Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 25
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2008 - 12:06 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Out of curiosity, anyone here a waitress and if so could you share what average tips are?
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Rid0617
Member
Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 35
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2008 - 2:39 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If you don't feel comfortable telling the exact amount an approximate amount works too.
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Sean_of_detroit
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Username: Sean_of_detroit

Post Number: 63
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2008 - 3:02 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have worked in many restaurants over the past few years. It really depends on the place, I was an extremely horrible waiter at La Shish a few years ago and would bring in a average of eight dollars an hour with tips. I worked as a busser before that at the former Agave, and brought in about the same. Also, worked in the Ren Cen and other downtown locations, brought in about the same as Agave. I was absolutely horrible at all these places, probably the worst waiter in Detroit back then.

I have never had any problem finding entry level work in Detroit. You have to be determined though. Spend the time you'd be at work looking for a job and filling out applications. Include a resume and you should be good. Go in KNOWING that you are the best person for the job, and know all you have to do is prove it.
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Rid0617
Member
Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 40
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2008 - 3:15 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Oh no, she already thinks that, don't want to give her an even bigger head. Her resume has 20+ years of restaurant management and waitressing. Currently she's at a Perkins restaurant which is like Shoneys except with a bakery. If you don't have those up there another comparison is Denny's but a little fancier atmosphere. What helps her is she's only looking for 20-25 hours a week preferably weekend day shit. She's been at this current job 6 1/2 years and the one before that 5 years.

(Message edited by rid0617 on April 05, 2008)
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Histeric
Member
Username: Histeric

Post Number: 876
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2008 - 4:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I own a lunch spot downtown. Our good waitstaff makes between 40 and 60 for a three hour lunch shift. I have friends who bartend making 200+ per Thurs - Sat. nightshift. The city proper doesn't have many chains like Perkins, Denny's etc. No idea what to expect in such a place.
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Rid0617
Member
Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 45
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2008 - 6:34 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Great, if you'll email me an address I'll send her your resume. That number you quoted is in the same area if not a little better than she does down here.
rid0617@yahoo.com
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Rid0617
Member
Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 46
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 1:31 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well friends, it's official, if nothing changes we will arrive Monday April 28 and leave Friday May 2. We were going to fly but cheapest we can find is $993, we can rent a car with unlimited miles for $209. Guess what wins? Thanks to your help, google earth, a real estate agent and a lot of prayer we're going to give it a look at see what kind of feel we get with zip codes 48221, 48235 & 48227. Feel free to advise any others that are fairly quite without a lot of abandoned homes. I hope we get to meet some of you when we get there. Even if we don't settle there I have made a lot of good friends.
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Kova
Member
Username: Kova

Post Number: 147
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 2:10 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

rid, 48221 and 48235 you should like, those are decent areas. 48227 i doubt you will like as much however. best of luck
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Rid0617
Member
Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 48
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 2:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'm getting the feeling those are the only 2 zip codes savable as big as Detroit is? If so that is a shame because I remember Detroit as a beautiful city in 65.
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Livernoisyard
Member
Username: Livernoisyard

Post Number: 5781
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 2:50 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Check out the stats from all the ZIP codes to describe its demographics, number of sex offenders, etc. It's easy to do...

Then scope out the area with aerial photos, etc.

And, of course, try to forget everything in your recollection about Detroit in 1965. That's all fairy tales now.
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Kova
Member
Username: Kova

Post Number: 148
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 2:52 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

hey you might want to check out the warrendale neighborhood as well, far westside, old polish working class area with lots of arabs, mexicans, blacks and other immigrants. The commercial strip along warren is thriving and if you need other amenities the area is located right next to Dearborn. Check it out def worth a look IMO.

one poster here has a blog about the community.

http://warrendale.blogspot.com /
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Rid0617
Member
Username: Rid0617

Post Number: 49
Registered: 03-2008
Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 4:00 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

OK thanks a bunch. I'm half polish so I'd fit right in and finally find some decent kobassa
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Carolcb
Member
Username: Carolcb

Post Number: 4263
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 2:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

So what happened? Did you find a house? What did you think?