Good Areas in Detroit City Limits (Warren, Redford: for sale, real estate, rentals)

[dajohnson99]

Hello, I'm from the West Coast and don't know anything about Detroit but am interested in learning more about the area, specifically areas with Detroit City Limits. Can any locals fill me in on good, safe, clean areas of the city that you would recommend?

I most likely would be investing in housing in Detroit and just want to make sure that I'm looking at the right areas and not getting myself into some sort of dangerous area that may look okay. Sorry for my naivety on your city but I'm happy to learn.

Thank you!

[Coldjensens]

What are you looking for in a "good' area? Probably the most pleasant/fun places in the City are mid-town and downtown. Eastern Market, Corktown, New Center are all racing to catch up. Indian villiage is a nice residential area near the core of the city.



Palmer Park is nice, but somewhat isolated. Some people like Mexican village. However based on what I see when visiting a friend there and what he tells me, it would not be my choice of locations.



Boston Edison neighborhood is fairly nice, but one street away is awful.



Or did you want good schools? The part of Detroit with good schools is: _________________. (Nowehere inside city limits).

[bobishere]

There are lots. Obviously you've got Downtown, Midtown and New Center.

There's the North End, Milwaukee Junction, West Village, Indian Village, Boston Edison, Arden Park, East English Village, Palmer Woods, University District, Green Acres, Corktown, Lafayette Park, Woodbridge, etc.

[Michigan_Man247]

I agree with the above posters, except for the North end.. I think it's still pretty shady. If you're looking for real estate investment my advice would be to look at more 'up and coming' areas. Real estate in the more desirable areas has basically doubled over the last 5-7 years. You wouldn't be getting the best price now but I'd at least expect it to still appreciate for a while. If you believe in a full recovery for Detroit then look at the mile roads and main street intersections for the future. If you like fixer-uppers you can try to buy an old home in or around midtown for cheap, restore it, and put it back on the market. They work as rentals for college students or as single family homes.

[Michigan_Man247]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Or did you want good schools? The part of Detroit with good schools is: _________________. (Nowehere inside city limits).

I went through DPS..It is challenged to say the least. You can get a quality education but you really have to want it lol. Cass Tech, King and Renaissance high schools are the best in the city and are nationally known. They also produce a good stock of athletes if you're into football or basketball. There are also a number of charter schools and private schools that can offer a good education

[usroute10]

Originally Posted by bobishere

There are lots. Obviously you've got Downtown, Midtown and New Center.

There's the North End, Milwaukee Junction, West Village, Indian Village, Boston Edison, Arden Park, East English Village, Palmer Woods, University District, Green Acres, Corktown, Lafayette Park, Woodbridge, etc.

-Palmer Woods, University District, and Green Acres are all in the same area along with the neighborhoods:

Sherwood Forest (spectacular)

Bagley (less fabulous)

Detroit Golf Club Estates - it is an exclusive 1 mile-long street that doesn't give Google Maps access to it


-Bobishere poster gave a good list, but missed the Grandmont-Rosedale Area which includes:

North Rosedale Park

Rosedale Park

Grandmont

Grandmont #1

-I would say East English Village and Morningside is a good neighborhood to invest in. The adjacent Warren Avenue commercial district is starting to see some cool businesses move in. Other areas I would look into is Old Redford and Jefferson-Chalmers.

PLEASE READ:
Many of "investors" have been burned in Detroit by trying to buy/rehab/rent out houses remotely (from another state). Due to Detroit having a particularly large fraction of its population who steal, compared to just about any other part of the country, if you aren't vigilant in securing your property and having it attended to regularly by a trustworthy and dedicated person/team, it will get broken into and stripped of electrical wiring, copper piping, appliances, anything with cast iron, A/C units, even leaded glass windows, antique doorknobs, fireplace mantles, you name it.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by Michigan_Man247

I went through DPS..It is challenged to say the least. You can get a quality education but you really have to want it lol. Cass Tech, King and Renaissance high schools are the best in the city and are nationally known. They also produce a good stock of athletes if you're into football or basketball. There are also a number of charter schools and private schools that can offer a good education

When we were considering moving into the City (Boston Edison) we found good high school options (Detroit High school of the Arts is or was also a good option. Where the gap was is elementary school and especially middle school options. Expensive private schools were really the only good option. Still it may have been manageable. W e really liked the house we were considering.

What killed our interest was no real place for the kids to play, ride bikes, hang out with friends (on their own).

[MWnative]

Does anyone believe that the renovated homes in Detroit are now overpriced or still a good long term investment? There are some beautiful homes that are renovated going for $150-200k in East English Village and Morningside, but I’m wondering if those areas will really see a turnaround. I see it as a toss up.

[Coldjensens]

Overpriced is relative. There was a time, when the home in the city were incredible and obvious bargains (I looked at a nice little Victorian in Corktown that was for sale for $14,000 - now it is around $100,000.) I doubt you will see that kind of turnaround on today's prices.

Whether you make or lose money at today's prices will depend on what area you choose and what happens int at area. Detroit is changing fast. Many areas that i thought were a lost cause, are becoming popular and getting nicer. Other areas continue to decay.

[usermi]

Michigan Man, do you live in the North End? Maybe you haven't noticed that there are a ton of wayne state students renting there, teachers, etc, etc, police show up, I see more crime being reported in Boston Edison! (the neighborhood page), TON of rehabs going on, EVEN new construction, "up and coming" absolutely applies to this area. There's no cheap fixer upper in midtown (if you know of one let me know, I'll buy it on the spot!), you have to go north of Grand Blvd to get any value (North End) and that's what a lot of millenials are doing, they're building 34 lofts in my street right now.

Originally Posted by Michigan_Man247

I agree with the above posters, except for the North end.. I think it's still pretty shady. If you're looking for real estate investment my advice would be to look at more 'up and coming' areas. Real estate in the more desirable areas has basically doubled over the last 5-7 years. You wouldn't be getting the best price now but I'd at least expect it to still appreciate for a while. If you believe in a full recovery for Detroit then look at the mile roads and main street intersections for the future. If you like fixer-uppers you can try to buy an old home in or around midtown for cheap, restore it, and put it back on the market. They work as rentals for college students or as single family homes.