Texan (I know ew sorry) moving up to Michigan next year, I was wondering logistically what do yall do during winter? I know of course it is much more cold and snowy than here in Texas, I’m already planning to get a good jacket and some boots, are there any other essentials I should plan on getting? I was also wondering do you just wear your snow boots to work or do people change when you get there (or neither)? I will be in a medical setting wearing scrubs, do I need layers to go under the scrubs rather than just a normal long sleeve? Any input is much appreciated!!

Edit: thank you so much everyone!!! I really did not expect to get so many responses, yall are the best! Can’t wait to be there soon!! (Side note if you want to drop recs for literally anything food gyms cool places to go see it would be very much appreciated) 🫶🏼

Ive only been to dc and hartford CT, and NYC. How is live in Detroit? I am a 27 yo women, living alone.

Id appreciate any pov!

Hello Detroit community,

I’m a Detroit mother reaching out because I honestly don’t know where else to turn.

In February 2026, my family was displaced from my late grandmother’s home following a complicated property and eviction dispute. Since then, I’ve been struggling to regain stability while trying to keep my children safe, educated, and together. I’m currently sleeping in my vehicle with my children. Despite our circumstances, I continue getting them to school, and I’m working while actively trying to improve our situation. Today, I completed the shelter intake process through Detroit’s Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM). I’m officially on the waiting list, and street outreach submitted my information. Unfortunately, I was informed that Detroit’s shelters and overflow facility are completely full. I’ve also reached out for assistance in Macomb County without success. With Michigan temperatures dropping, I’m becoming increasingly desperate to get my children out of the cold. I’m not asking for luxuries. I’m asking for somewhere safe and warm for my family while I continue working toward permanent housing.

If anyone knows of emergency housing assistance, motel vouchers, churches, community organizations, or individuals willing to help a struggling family, PLEASE reach out.

I’ve contacted numerous agencies and followed the procedures I’ve been given, but I keep encountering waiting lists and unavailable resources. I’m doing everything I can to keep my family afloat. I just need someone to help us get through this difficult time. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this, offer resources, or share helpful information. ❤️

UPDATE: The babies and I have a shelter bed as of yesterday. We are out of the drop in center and I have a caseworker that is really helping me. I filled out a pbv housing application and seeing “chs” this Friday. When I created this post I had no idea what to do. This community in which ive never used Reddit has got to be the most compassionate of people. Believe it or not the prayers/ warm thoughts and uplifting words definitely helped me ❤️ Thank you to EVERYONE and may GOD BLESS YOU ALL! I will update again once I am houses ❤️❤️

Hello everyone. Like the title says me and my wife plan on moving to Detroit this time next year. We currently live in California and are tired of it and need a change, and we decided on Detroit. All together I make 4600$ a month. Is there any apartments in nice areas that have no rats mice bed bugs etc that will take this as enough income? If so please comment them please! Thank you

I have a very sensitive subject to discuss, and I don’t care what race you are—if you have an opinion, feel free to share it.
I am mixed-race, but most people don’t realize it unless they take a closer look and try to figure out my background. My wife is white, and our son is more Black than white in appearance. Most people would probably assume he is Black before they would assume he is mixed.
The point is that we are having a really difficult time deciding where we want to live long-term.
I grew up on both sides of the state. I’ve lived in Grand Rapids, Waterford, Ferndale, and Detroit, so I’ve experienced different communities throughout Metro Detroit and West Michigan. Honestly, Detroit is the only place where I’ve consistently felt comfortable.
I feel more accepted there because I know that the moment I cross 8 Mile and go into places like Ferndale, I sometimes feel like I’m being profiled because of my skin color. I’m not saying everyone is like that, but it’s an experience I’ve had.
What’s interesting is that I genuinely feel safer in Detroit. My neighbors are great, kids are outside playing all the time, and there’s a sense of community and interaction that I haven’t experienced in other places.
My wife is white, and she’s treated a little differently in the city, but never in a rude or negative way. Everyone has been very welcoming and kind to her.
We’re just trying to figure out what’s best for our family, especially as our son grows up. I want him to feel accepted, safe, and comfortable in the community he calls home.
I’m honestly not sure what the most appropriate place for us to settle down is, and that’s something we’ve been struggling with.

hi all, i will be moving to detroit later this year and i wanted to get to know the city better!!

i'm moving from the greater toronto area to work at henry ford hospital (w grand blvd location). so i had some questions about that area in particular. i probably won't have a car for a while, so what is the best area to live in to commute to work easily and enjoy what the area has to offer? are there any particular apartment buildings or neighborhoods that you would recommend over others? what is rent usually like for a 1 bed 1 bath apt?

how is public transport in detroit? i definitely want to explore, so is it realistic for me to depend on public transportation?

if you have any other tips or advice, i'd love to hear them! thanks 😄

My first post was much more vague/general, so that was my fault. Now that I have a better idea of where I’ll be working and what I’m looking for, I’d really appreciate more specific recommendations.

I’m a 27-year-old single woman moving to Detroit for work. My office will be in the downtown/Financial District area of Detroit, and I’ll most likely be driving to work.

Ideally, I’d like my commute to be under ~30 minutes, but I’m happy to drive a little farther if the area is really worth it.

What I’m looking for:
Safety is my #1 priority, especially as a single woman living alone.
Quiet, peaceful, residential surroundings.
Close to nature, parks, trails, lakes, greenery, etc.
I love charming suburbs with a strong sense of community and character.

I’m not particularly concerned about rent. I’d rather pay more to live somewhere I genuinely love than choose somewhere cheaper that I don’t enjoy.

I’m also open to some city/urban vibes. I don’t need to be completely suburban if the area is safe and peaceful.

The vibe I’m imagining is basically Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls 😂, charming, cozy, green, peaceful, with cute little downtown areas and a strong community feel. I know it’s fictional, but I’m looking for that kind of Connecticut/New England feeling. At the same time, I wouldn’t mind having some city energy nearby.

One other factor: I’m not white, so I’d ideally like somewhere that feels welcoming and comfortable for someone from a different background. I’m trying to find the balance between diversity/inclusivity and safety. If I absolutely had to prioritize, I would choose an area that is less diverse over somewhere I don’t feel safe, but ideally I’d love to find somewhere that gives me both.

So for people who actually know the Detroit area:
Where would you recommend I look? Which suburbs/neighborhoods would fit this lifestyle? And are there any areas you would specifically avoid?

I’d especially love recommendations from women who live alone or people who have moved to the Detroit area from somewhere else and had to figure this out themselves.

Thank you!

I just rewatched the show then Anthony Bourdain did Detroit. It aired in 2013 originally. Grew up here, lived far away for decades, visited plenty and returned 3 years ago. I vaguely recall reading some negative stuff about Leduff here but, since he was Tony's escort, I'm curious to know more.

I’ve heard some really good things about East Village and Morningside becoming really nice with good investment, and it seems like North Corktown might be the next neighborhood that sees significant revitalization.

Any other neighborhoods that you’ve seen been transformed over the past 5-10 years?

Me and my wife have a son on the way we really like living in the city of Detroit we have a nice home in a decent part of Detroit as well. Just concerned about where to send him to school when he gets older. Would it be easier to send him out of the city? Or any school recommendations? I am okay with paying tuition as well if needed.

Hi! I’m Swiss, I’ll be coming for my first time ever in the USA this September.

I will arrive in Chicago the 3rd. And I have to go, to NYC the 8th or 9th.
I don’t know whether I should stay from the 3rd until the 8th/9th in Chicago, or if I should maybe come to Detroit for a few days instead.

I don’t know anything about Detroit nor Chicago
What would you recommend?
What’s there to visit in Detroit ? Is it dangerous / unsafe ? (I know South Chicago is dangerous)

My partner does not want to live in Michigan and I am contemplating either leaving Detroit/MI or leaving the relationship, I don't like either option. Detroit is such an amazing city, I love the sense of community, the green spaces, the affordability, the history, the music, I've never lived anywhere like it. I know that all cities are going to have their own pros and cons, but have you lived anywhere similar to Detroit? Or are there cities that are similar? Not too big not too small, strong community, good music scene, green spaces.

ETA: Things that I don't like about Detroit that would be cool to have would be more density/less sprawl, better transit options, better walkability (obviously varies by neighborhoods in any city), better schools, more access to nature (would love to be back to somewhere with any elevation!)

Anyone used to Amtrak to Chicago instead of flying? Pros cons? (Besides the obvious cost and time differences)

I’m 28m born and raised in and around the Charlotte area (NC). I’ve been wanting to leave NC for a while now, Detroit really interest me even tho i haven’t visited yet but i plan to soon for a Lions game. I don’t have a career, i work at amazon but im also learning tattooing on the side. im a gamer, introvert, film and anime nerd I’m a bit essentric some call me “different” and here in Charlotte people give me a hard time for expressing myself the way i do. I’d like to know how open minded detroit is. I’m black (jamaican/domincan) and where i live diversity is pretty limited which i don’t like at all. I’ve always lived i the south and i hear the winters are terrible in michigan so that is kinda scary and ive seen videos about the crime and how violent some neighborhoods can be which makes me a little nervous but i don’t let that turn me away from wanting to move there. would a move to detroit be a good choice coming from a place like charlotte?
also id like to know about some neighborhoods to look into and things I would probably enjoy based on my personality. Also, where are places that I may find a like minded community in Detroit?

I’ve worked downtown Detroit since 2010 and am starting to think seriously about moving closer to work to eliminate the commute. Right now I live in Woodhaven, but as my kids get older, I'm finding myself wanting more of an urban lifestyle.
I'm really drawn to neighborhoods like Woodbridge and Southwest Detroit because they seem to have a lot of character, walkability, local restaurants, and a strong sense of community. I'm open to other neighborhood suggestions/recommendations as well.

A friend and I will be visiting Detroit for the first time ever. What are some of your best pizza recommendations for Detroit style pizza? We’ll be staying downtown.

Update: thank you all, the weekend has come and gone and my buddy and I went to Michigan & Trumbull and we were not let down. Thank you all for your suggestions. We had a great time in the city overall. I came from Fort Worth and they recently opened the first Jet’s here so whenever I’m craving a taste of Detroit again I will be hitting them up.

Hey guys, I wanted to ask what areas you would recommend living in that have a diverse and Muslim community while still being close to Warren. I’ve heard that Warren itself may not be the best area to live in, so I’d love to hear your recommendations.

I’m also looking for a room to stay in temporarily before I move to Michigan permanently, since I’ll be going back and forth between Michigan and North Carolina for a few months. Ideally, I’d really like to stay with a Muslim roommate or in a Muslim household.

If you know of any areas, groups, or places where I could find a room like this, I’d really appreciate it. Thank you!

My 2 hour layover just became a 4.5 hour layover. I’m assuming the best Detroit-style pizza isn’t to be found inside the airport 😁. Any suggestions within say a 25-30 minute drive from the airport?

Edit: also open to anything else thats unique or special food-wise to Detroit. The pizza is just what popped into my mind.

EDIT: I was in such a bad mood when I wrote this. Thank you all for the education and ideas/tips. People in Detroit are so kind, grateful for your time!

Staying with a friend while I look for a place, new to the state and city. What I have found:

-disgusting houses for $1500/mo+. Carpet nasty, yards long-neglected, garages falling down, windows cracked or unable to lock, mold in bathrooms, dormers and porches crumbling, etc, etc.

-Non-refundable application fees averaging $70-80 each time, per adult. Some are charging a $200-300 "Lease Preparation Fee" (f*&$ing kidding me?!)

- Decent houses marked as "Section 8 Only," that are priced higher than they should be. Seems like a landlord scam to charge more to Sec 8, which brings up the rentals in the neighborhood for nasty houses nearby.

-So many applicants for each place that it's a miracle to even get a contact back.

This is so frustrating and sad. I am single, no pets, good credit and make $62k a year. Excellent rental history, my last place I lived in 4 years and it was $1,975. I have come in as a "close second" twice now on apartments that aren't what I really want but am choosing out of need. I have spent over $300 on application fees in 2 months. Where is the housing commissions? Who regulates these landlords? Who determines that these homes are livable when they clearly aren't?

Would love suggestions, tips, neighborhood suggestions, etc... clearly I am looking in the wrong place or doing something wrong.

*also, my car insurance went from $142/mo in Ohio, to $512 in Detroit. This cuts into what I can afford.

I'm this close to saying fu@k it and heading back to Columbus. I don't see a benefit in living in Detroit when it is dismal and I can't afford to live in even a shit hole. Columbus isn't as "cool" as Detroit, but there were had available, regulated, safe housing.​

Rant over, just sad. Love the people and vibe here, and want to make it work. I am quickly losing hope.

I am a young professional moving to Detroit with a budget of $1800/month for rent+utilities . I am looking for 1bed 1bath in walkable area with things to do. I have been looking at places like Royal Oak and Ferndale as well as places in downtown like Midtown, Corktown, and Brush Park. I am wondering if any of the areas downtown are worth it considering the city tax?

I’m currently a high school junior in Florida and I want to move to Michigan someday, specifically around the Southfield area because of how cheap housing is there and how close they are to a lot of Stuff. My plan is to move there after graduating from vet school, and I’ve been trying to learn more about what life there is actually like.

One thing I’m wondering is whether veterinarians can make a decent living in that area. Would it realistically be possible to buy a house within 1–3 years on an average veterinarian salary, or would that be difficult with student loans and cost of living?

I’d also love to know what there is to do around Southfield, both with a dog and by yourself. I’m especially interested in parks, dog-friendly places, nature areas, shopping, food spots, and general things people do for fun in the area.

Another thing I’m nervous about is the weather. I’ve lived in Florida my entire life, so I’m used to heat almost year-round. How hard is it to adjust to Michigan winters for someone who’s never really experienced snow or long periods of cold?

I’d appreciate hearing from people who live in Michigan, work in veterinary medicine there, or moved from a warm state to a colder one.

I’m considering a move within the next few years, and I’m doing a lot of digging into a few Great Lakes’ cities. I’ve looked into the North End a bit, and am in love with the multiple urban gardens/farms. Plus the new Detroit People’s Co-op Grocery is a huge positive for me.

I’m working poor class, but am white (my family used to live in Hamtramck a couple generations back, as immigrants), so I don’t know if my moving there would feel like I’m participating in gentrification. If I did move there, I would very much like to be involved in the community.

Some other considerations: I know most of Detroit is car-dependent, but are people in this area more able to get around without a car? I would very much prefer to de-center cars from my every-day life. I see the QLine goes up and down the city center, but how is the rest of the public transportation system? TIA

Hi, I moved to Detroit about a month and a half ago and I have no idea how to find friends here as a woman in her mid-20s. I moved from a place that had a big Facebook group for the city for posting about you and your interests and finding friends easily that way but I can’t really find anything similar here. I looked on MeetUp and there were a couple groups I joined but I haven’t gone to any events yet though I do have a couple I plan to attend.

How do I find friends?

hello!
i’m planning on moving from Seattle to Detroit, I’d ideally like to be downtown and be able to walk or take public transit as much as possible- I will still have a vehicle so parking would be preferred. my max budget is $1500 a month. would love suggestions! as well as some of your favorite places to go/things to do in detroit
thank you!