  Dfisch Member Username: Dfisch Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 69.137.217.91 |
Hi everybody, I'm new to the forumn and was wondering if anyone could lend some advice. I will be joining a PhD program at Wayne State this fall and would like to live in an area around campus or in the city if possible. I've lived in Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor my whole life but know far less than I should about the Detroit area, other than the negatives that always seem to creep into the news. Searching through past posts, people have mentioned detroitmidtown.com as the place to look for Midtown housing. Is this a reliable site, what areas of the neighborhood would be the best place to start looking and is this part of the city where I can walk around and feel comfortable? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 184 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 68.20.140.8 |
Check out Lafayette Towers. Best place for new Detroiters hands down. It's not in "midtown" but it had many med students when I lived there a few years ago, as well as professionals, families and a smattering of hipsters. Adjacent Lafayette Park is clean and vibrant all the time. Walk to Greektown, Eastern Market, and the adjacent shopping center. Inexpensive gated resident and visitor parking. Gyms. Pool. Amazing views. Resonable rent. They even have a concierge. Plus the buildings have old fashioned doormen that even open the doors for you. http://www.habitat.com/residen ces.asp?m=intro&id=46&state=MI | ||
Belleislerunner Member Username: Belleislerunner Post Number: 248 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 198.204.133.208 |
The University Cultural Center Association has a nice website of available housing in the midtown/WSU area: http://www.detroitmidtown.com/ 05/midtown.php | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 185 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 68.20.140.8 |
Oh yeah, and I didn't even mention it's in the Mies van der Rohe historic district. The post-wwII modernist architecture is fantastic, if you're into that sort of thing.  | ||
Jsmyers Member Username: Jsmyers Post Number: 1561 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 209.131.7.68 |
Dfisch, Welcome to the forum. It is definately possible. To answer your question. That website is run by a great organization (UCCA). Unfortunately the information on it isn't maintianed frequently for your type of inquiry. I believe that all housing units, whether available or not will show up. It is up to you to call the seller/landlord in each case. It is great to get a feel for what is available though. I grew up in Kzoo (BC too) and lived in AA for about 2.5 years. I might be able to relate different Detroit areas to places you already know. Tell us what you are looking for, and I'm sure we can help you narrow your search. For example, are you looking to bike, walk, drive, or bus to campus? Do you want a lot of inside or outside space? Quiet or busy? Family or just you? Also, use http://maps.google.com/ to get a feel for the lay of the land (keep in mind that a lot of development has happened in the last 4 years since the aerial was taken). This may also help: http://www.cityscapedetroit.or g/Detroit_neighborhoods.html | ||
Cjdb16 Member Username: Cjdb16 Post Number: 117 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 198.109.49.243 |
Are you looking to rent or buy? | ||
Corktownmark Member Username: Corktownmark Post Number: 184 Registered: 12-2004 Posted From: 141.217.12.135 |
Welcome to the Detroityes Forum Dfisch! Welcome to Detroit too! There are many safe and affordable rentals near Wayne State. Midtown does have the advantage that it is walkable for just about any place on campus. Many Detroityes members live near WSU. Hopefully you will hear useful info from some of them. some sites that give a flavor of the area are http://www.modeldmedia.com/ http://www.preservationwayne.o rg/ http://www.metrotimes.com/ http://detroitsynergy.org/ Mark | ||
Dfisch Member Username: Dfisch Post Number: 2 Registered: 04-2006 Posted From: 69.137.217.91 |
I'll be living alone and looking to rent a 1 bedroom place. I'd prefer to be within walking distance of the Scott Hall/Medical Center area since most of classes and work would be there. However, if a better spot is a little farther away and a bus ride or short drive is required, I could deal with that. An area that is a little busier is fine with me as well. I've been looking at the maps and will be making a trip down there soon, but it is nice to get input from people who have a good feel for the area. Thanks! | ||
Psewick Member Username: Psewick Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 70.235.110.46 |
Try Craigs List: http://detroit.craigslist.org/ apa/ It's constantly being updated, and the search features are very helpful. | ||
Jsmyers Member Username: Jsmyers Post Number: 1563 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 209.131.7.68 |
I found my place on craigslist. I would recomend based on what you state to look between Grand Blvd and Mack within a few blocks of woodward. There are a ton of one bedroom places around there, especially between Warren and Mack. The Amtrak train station is just south of Grand Blvd on Woodward. It is a convienient (and cheap if you travel alone and plan ahead) way to get back to Kzoo if you want. If you want something a more pricey. Then downtown is for you. It is a ~30 minute walk from the north end of downtown. (Or a bus ride on a frequent bus, or a quick bike ride). | ||
Cmubryan Member Username: Cmubryan Post Number: 240 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.42.169.179 |
To piggy-back on Eastside, I live at The Pavilion on the western side of Lafayette Park (Lafayette Towers is on the east side) and it's decent. A little bit closer to downtown (only a about a 10 minute walk to the center of downtown) but not within walking distance of Wayne State. |
