Visited Detroit this last weekend

[dirtfan21]

So, August 11th my girlfriend made the move to Detroit for the long road of her 4 year dental program. Due to circumstances, I did not make it the weekend of the move and this past weekend was my first visit. Now mind you, my sister and brother-in-law live about 20-30 minutes away in Livonia but I have never really been downtown, ever, except for one Redwings game.

 

Long story short, her apartment is across the street from the GM building, 4 blocks from Joe Louis Stadium, 10 or so blocks from Tiger's staduim and Ford Field, and 5 minutes from the Riverwalk and the People Mover. I was in shock. Hell, I come from a very small town in NWI, a township actually, and big cities are like a foreign country to me. Mind you, I am well aware that once you get outside of the business district things go downhill in a hurry, my sis over the years has brought me up to speed with were to go or not to go.

 

It was a blast being downtown. The TIger's had games at home Saturday and Sunday, we visitied some bars by the stadium, ate at the Hard Rock Sunday before I left, and found a kickass Irish Pub Saturday night that was amazing. Any of you that are familiar to Detroit the Grand Trunk Pub http://www.grandtrunkpub.com/ was awesome. They had SO many local Michigan beers on tap, the pub itself has a 150+ year history from a Jewelry store in the late 1800's, to a train ticket office in the early 1900's, to a small pub/bar starting in the 50's I believe.

 

It was all fun and interesting but, I was ready to get back to two lane highways and corn fields by Sunday night. I have nothing against cities at all, it just isn't somewhere I could live. Sorry for the boring story, I just wanted to share my expierience of D-town.

[RyanbabZ71]

Dont go out at night. We stayed downtown for a trade show a few yrs back (cobo center). Went out one evening it was like a ghost town until we left subway and it was like zombieland literally. We were bombarded by homeless people asking for $$$. It was pretty crazy.

[dirtfan21]

Yes, that happens quite often. I told her no matter how safe she feels don't EVER leave your apartment at night alone. A cute 5'0" little blonde girl will not make it too far.

 

EDIT: We walked around quite a bit at night, you just have to be in high gear and keep to yourself. It really all depends on the block, where she's at you see police quite often so they keep their distance from you. Near the place you were and near the stadiums I've noticed it much more.

[KMGZ400]

i was in Detroit for work and i personally thought it was disgusting. the all the auto stuff is cool though.

[dirtfan21]

Like I mentioned, the business district is very clean. You get out of the business district and it is a total hole, her dental school is in a rougher part of town. Very high security and the school is very nice, they just put it in low economic areas to recieve more people in the office. Most all of the people that she will ultimately work on 3rd and 4th year will be poverty stricken.

[Toolman82]

I think most people have a misconception about downtown Detroit. Its great at night! No, she shouldn't be out be herself, but she shouldn't do that in any large city, don't be ignorant people. Chicago, New York, Toronto all have dangerous area at night. Detroit's downtown area has changed A LOT in the last 5+ years. If you haven't given it a change, I highly suggest it.

 

If you think Detroit has a lot of homeless people, try NY or San Diego... You people need to get out more

[dirtfan21]

I'm not sure if that post was centered toward me or not, if it was I'd like to clear up any idea that I didn't enjoy my time there or future time there. I honestly did, very much so. She is originally from a sub of Indy and I didn't feel comfortable with her walking by herself at night there either. Hell, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable with her walking to her car at night in Valparaiso, Indiana which is a town just 5 miles north of me and where I work.

 

As for the homeless people, I've never been bothered by them except when entering or leaving games downtown. This was the same in Indy but at a lesser extent.

[RyanbabZ71]

I think most people have a misconception about downtown Detroit. Its great at night! No, she shouldn't be out be herself, but she shouldn't do that in any large city, don't be ignorant people. Chicago, New York, Toronto all have dangerous area at night. Detroit's downtown area has changed A LOT in the last 5+ years. If you haven't given it a change, I highly suggest it.

 

If you think Detroit has a lot of homeless people, try NY or San Diego... You people need to get out more

 

Trust me I have been out, visited Chicago more times than I can count when I lived in nw Indiana. I also spent plenty of time in Gary Indiana. The difference was other areas I have been they leave you alone and keep to themselves whereas in Detroit they seem much more forward.

 

 

 

 

Ryan

 

 

[MikeNH]

Another couple weeks and I'll have lived in Michigan long enough to apply for my CCW permit. The immediate downtown area of Detroit is nice but there are plenty of other areas I wouldn't go at night, armed or not.

 

 

And Toolman is right about the damn homeless in Commiefornia- They'll walk up to you at drive throughs asking for money, but won't take an offer to buy them a burger or whatever. Worthless addicts.

 

 

 

 

Ryan- you hung out in Gary? Glad to hear you weren't murdered.

[RyanbabZ71]

I worked in Gary for a few yrs, I have plenty of stories.

 

 

Ryan

 

 

[dirtfan21]

I had AAU bball practice 7-9 on tues and thurs at Gary Roosevelt when I was in high school. I was one of two white kids and my teamates walked my dad and me to the truck each night. That was some scary stuff driving away each night.

 

[RyanbabZ71]

Are you done traveling down to Indy?

 

 

Ryan

 

 

[hockeypro1411]

I worked in Gary for a few yrs, I have plenty of stories.

 

 

Ryan

 

 

LOL I have more than a few stories from when I was leaving the mills after dark..

[RyanbabZ71]

I worked in Gary for a few yrs, I have plenty of stories.

 

 

Ryan

 

 

LOL I have more than a few stories from when I was leaving the mills after dark..

 

What mill? I worked at inland steel (well it was ispat inland when i was there then mittal and now it's arcelor mittal. Dad has like 37 yrs there

 

 

Ryan

 

 

[dirtfan21]

Are you done traveling down to Indy?

 

 

Ryan

 

 

I wouldn't say done, I'll still be heading down for four wheel jamborees, supercross, and holidays to see her family. It just won't be at the rate it has been in the past and I'm really going to miss it. I really loved heading downtown to Indy or over to Noblesville for concerts.