Sc00by9999 Member Username: Sc00by9999
Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 2:51 pm: | |
I am moving from ferndale to the west village, on Parker street. Does anyone have any pointers for me? How is the community? thanks Mark |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 4209 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 3:24 pm: | |
Don't try to pet Eastsidedog's dog. Or for that matter Eastsidedog. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 4210 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 3:35 pm: | |
BTW Welcome to the neighborhood! 40's of Pabst are cheaper at Jefferson Liquor than the store at the corner of Agnes and Van Dyke. |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1950 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 4:41 pm: | |
Mark -- Where on parker? Been there for 7 years, and unfortunately, we will be making our exit around the same time you make your entrance. It has been a great neighborhood, and I will miss it. If you do shop at either liquor store, make sure to check the expiration dates on all non-liquor products... |
Sc00by9999 Member Username: Sc00by9999
Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 4:51 pm: | |
between agnes and lafayette. Hows the walkability of the area? |
Supersport Member Username: Supersport
Post Number: 10881 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 4:53 pm: | |
Why would one buy non-liquor products at a liquor store? |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 4211 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 5:34 pm: | |
Mark, The walkabilty of the neighborhood is among the best in the City. With the exception of a dearth of banks, bars and restaurants in the immediate area, it's quite easy to do without a vehicle for most day-to-day needs. Indian Village Market is about 4 blocks from you and is surprisingly clean and stocked, the aforementioned party stores (jefferson open til 12M during the week, 2am Fri & Sat), a couple of dry cleaners within a couple of blocks from you and 3 buslines with just a short walk for you, not including SMART. Even the 24hr Sunoco station is great for emergency items. |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1952 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 5:36 pm: | |
quote:between agnes and lafayette.
Are you buying my house? Walkability, in Detroit, is a matter of definition. If you want to "go for a walk" it is great -- beautiful neighborhood and scenery, and close to the water/belle isle. If you want to walk to a restaurant, a store, or anything else really, it leaves much to be desired. |
Spiritofdetroit Member Username: Spiritofdetroit
Post Number: 58 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 5:37 pm: | |
where is Dabirch moving to? |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1953 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 5:37 pm: | |
quote:Mark, The walkabilty of the neighborhood is among the best in the City. With the exception of a dearth of banks, bars and restaurants in the immediate area, it's quite easy to do without a vehicle for most day-to-day needs. Indian Village Market is about 4 blocks from you and is surprisingly clean and stocked, the aforementioned party stores (jefferson open til 12M during the week, 2am Fri & Sat), a couple of dry cleaners within a couple of blocks from you and 3 buslines with just a short walk for you, not including SMART. Even the 24hr Sunoco station is great for emergency items.
quote:Walkability, in Detroit, is a matter of definition. If you want to "go for a walk" it is great -- beautiful neighborhood and scenery, and close to the water/belle isle. If you want to walk to a restaurant, a store, or anything else really, it leaves much to be desired.
As stated, it is a matter of definition and expectation. |
Sknutson
Member Username: Sknutson
Post Number: 735 Registered: 03-2004
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 5:38 pm: | |
My old block! I used to live next door to the Parkhurst. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 4212 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 5:41 pm: | |
quote:As stated, it is a matter of definition and expectation.
...or necessity. |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1954 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 5:43 pm: | |
quote:where is Dabirch moving to?
dabirch got transferred to southern california. So I figure I have three choices: (1) Forget about detroit and the forum entirely (2) Become one of those "it used to be so great but now it is hell - but i hope it get's better, but I am sure it will not" sort of people; or (3) Be one of the "I miss it, I can't wait to come back, any pics?" sort of people. My guess is somewhere between 2 and 3. |
Buddyinrichmond Member Username: Buddyinrichmond
Post Number: 76 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 6:05 pm: | |
http://www.modeldmedia.com/fea tures/wvillage67.aspx It sounds like an amazing place! |
Toolbox
Member Username: Toolbox
Post Number: 1007 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 6:30 pm: | |
I hear it's like SoHo. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 4213 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 6:34 pm: | |
I'd like to live there........oh, I do.......but I'd like to live in that neighborhood in the article. I'm so confused. |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1955 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 6:44 pm: | |
We all are Jams. If my neighborhood was all that, maybe I would've...well never mind because we know what it is and have chosen to live there for an extended part of our lives, warts and all. That's the beauty of the city and many of the people who call it home -- come at it with your eyes wide open, understand what it is, and still appreciate it. |
Steelworker Member Username: Steelworker
Post Number: 794 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 3:57 am: | |
umm this may be the only neighborhood in detroit i dont know the boundries or the area or even where it is. anyone help? |
Pam Member Username: Pam
Post Number: 669 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 8:44 am: | |
quote:umm this may be the only neighborhood in detroit i dont know the boundries or the area or even where it is. anyone help?
From the link posted above: Located three miles east of downtown, adjacent to Indian Village, |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 1430 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 1:08 pm: | |
Basically from Parker to Seyburn, between Jefferson and Kercheval. |
Steelworker Member Username: Steelworker
Post Number: 795 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 11:46 pm: | |
where lafayette stops? |
Royce Member Username: Royce
Post Number: 1902 Registered: 07-2004
| Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006 - 11:59 pm: | |
Scooby, how do you move into an area without checking it out first? A simple drive or walk around could tell you something about the neighborhood. After that you could then ask forumers specific questions about the area. Talk about being wet behind the ears. Well, at any rate, welcome to the forum and West Village, Scooby. |
Sc00by9999 Member Username: Sc00by9999
Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 2:15 pm: | |
Royce, I have definitly checked out the area. I have been looking to move into the city for awhile, and finally settled on the west village. I was just hoping to get an insiders view of the area. |
Steelworker Member Username: Steelworker
Post Number: 798 Registered: 02-2004
| Posted on Sunday, November 19, 2006 - 2:34 pm: | |
lol everyone loves to bust peoples ball on here. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 821 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 4:26 pm: | |
Sc00by9999. Welcome to the neighborhood and the forum. West Village is a good neighborhood on the upswing but not without it's problems. If you drive a newer car and plan to park on the street then get a killswitch (no one will touch it). If you drive an older car you might want to get a club especially if it's a truck or SUV. Car theft is the only major problem in WV. Otherwise the neighborhood is very safe. One thing you'll notice in WV is that many houses don't have "beauty-bars" AKA "ghetto-gates", a sign of the relative safety of the neighborhood. As far as walkability, it is very good and much of the urban fabric is intact (although as it usually is in Detroit, it's usually easier to drive). Moving from ferndale, one thing you'll notice is the sense of community (come spring, in the winter no one is outside). People are mostly friendly and talkative and have a lot of pride in the neighborhood. If you get a dog you will meet a lot nice people on your daily walk (highly recommended). You may also want to check out the West Village Associattion and the HAC parties in IV. You can meet a lot of good people through those two organizations and their events. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 4239 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 4:49 pm: | |
But don't try to pet Eastsidedog's dog. "the Club" is great, I've received a check from them 3 times now, for my missing vehicles. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 824 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 5:01 pm: | |
Or he'll pet you. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 825 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 5:03 pm: | |
Yeah, I've heard the club doesn't work perfectly but thieves would probably rather steal a car without one. |
Jams Member Username: Jams
Post Number: 4240 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 5:29 pm: | |
I recommend the "club" highly. You get a check covering the deductible when your vehicle is stolen. I've received 3 of them. |
Sc00by9999 Member Username: Sc00by9999
Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 7:21 pm: | |
thanks for the info all, I look forward to living in the city. Today I got an alarm with a kill switch installed on my car, hopefully that will help. I hope to do my part in helping the revitalization of our great city. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 834 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 9:51 am: | |
Sc00by9999, you should have no problems parking anywhere then. Thieves hate them. West Village is an exciting place to be in the city right now. Lots of good (and some average) infill in the surrounding area and dozens of houses and other buildings undergoing rehabs. The transformation is very visible. Just wait till they get the riverwalk completed! WV is poised to become one of the best neighborhoods in the city. |
Detroit_girl Member Username: Detroit_girl
Post Number: 70 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 2:27 pm: | |
Cool neighborhood and very affordable. I lived there for 5 years. My only complaint is that your car gets the sh*t kicked out of it parked on the street, or stolen. I left the club off once out of laziness, in a bad snowstorm, and my car was gone the next morning. Needless to say, I felt stupid. |
Ghetto_butterfly
Member Username: Ghetto_butterfly
Post Number: 655 Registered: 09-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 8:03 pm: | |
Took a walk through it today, loved it for its November atmosphere. But I still saw many dilapitaded/vacant houses like on Vandyke and of course, in the nearby ghetto streets. I felt sad about it and sad that this area is so beautiful and could be "all that", yet is surrounded on one hand by mansions in Indian Village, on the other hand by slums. I walked east on Agnes, passed a "grocery store" (aka Party store), an antique store, a bakery for wedding cakes, Harlequin Cafe with a notice on the front door that they got evicted on April 26 this year (I heard good things about this restaurant), the Parkstone apartments building (what a gem) and felt sad by the possibilities of not having been explored yet or having been neglected. Maybe some day (soon)... I live nearby on Jefferson and consider it my neighborhood. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 842 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 - 8:20 pm: | |
Detroit_girl, what kind of car? |
Detroit_girl Member Username: Detroit_girl
Post Number: 71 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 11:52 am: | |
The one that was hot-wired was a 1998 or '99 Toyota Corrolla that was fairly new at the time. The cops found it a couple of days later with the airbags ripped out and some broken windows. The dealer was able to fix it completely but my insurance company dumped me. After the Corrolla I got a Mitsubishi Eclipse that was smashed while parked by a random accident on Van Dyke the VERY same night I brought it home from the dealership. The car situation was one of my main motivators for moving, really. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 843 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 12:49 pm: | |
Sorry to hear that Detroit_girl. Parking on the street can be a real bitch. A lot of it is luck. Sounds like it especially sucks to park right on Van Dyke. Suprised to hear the stolen car was an import and not an SUV. Ghetto_butterfly, what you say is very true. Parts of WV look very rough, no doubt. But from talking to lifetime residents, I've heard it was an absolutely crime-ridden and dangerous neighborhood just 5-10 years ago (stories of automatic weapon fire, open drug dealing and prostitution, no kidding -- I've heard it used to be a "no service area" i.e. no police show up period). The transformation so far seems to be nothing short of amazing. On Seyburn in the summer I always see lots of kids playing in the streets, lots people sitting on their porches talking, in general it's very safe now -- and very diverse in age, race you name it. I've heard from longtime residents that Parker used to be a lot like Seyburn is now -- just 5 years ago. Describing the area west of IV as slums isn't really accurate, to use a "Jacobian" term it is currently "unslumming." Since the two years I've been there I can count 23 houses/rowhouses off hand (on Parker, Van Dyke, Seyburn and Baldwin) that have either been totally rehabbed or undergone major repairs/improvements. What's slowing the neighborhoods "unslumming" right now is the weak economy and some problematic property owners who own derelict properties and refuse to sell for realistic prices. BTW, the Harlequin was fantastic or terrible depending on who you talk to. Sherman was definitely an interesting neighborhood character that is missed. I'd love to see a neighborhood pub open in its place (like the one opening in Woodbridge). It will all come in time. That strip has a magical feel to it that I just can't quite describe. (Message edited by eastsidedog on November 22, 2006) |
Detroit_girl Member Username: Detroit_girl
Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 1:18 pm: | |
Heh heh. The Harlequin at times was a fun place to have brunch and spend a wine-drinking afternoon. IF we were with someone who was friends with Sherman. Otherwise, service was terrible. One time we went into Columbine's Champaign Cellar and were sitting at the bar. About 15 minutes later Sherman approaches and asks for $12 cover charge. I don't think so. Not surprised they got evicted. |
Sknutson
Member Username: Sknutson
Post Number: 736 Registered: 03-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 1:33 pm: | |
Eastsidedog: When I lived on Parker by Agnes in the early 1980's, it was not much different than it is today. A lovely and well-kept block. My partner and I parked on the streets for two years without a problem. At that time, however, I would not have wanted to live on Parker between Agnes and Kercheval, and would have to have been an urban pioneer venture over to Seyburn. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 848 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 1:39 pm: | |
Sknutson, yeah I'm referring to Parker between Agnes and Kercheval and Seyburn between Lafayette and Kercheval. My neighbor on Seyburn bought his house in 1991 for $4000 cash at an auction at COBO. He has told me many, many stories... |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 849 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 1:41 pm: | |
Detroit_girl, yes I've heard MANY stories like that about Sherman and the Harlequin. I ate and drank there a couple times and was lucky. It was really nice to to have a place to walk to though... (Message edited by eastsidedog on November 22, 2006) |
Detroit_girl Member Username: Detroit_girl
Post Number: 73 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 1:53 pm: | |
Yeah. Have Honest? John's withing walking distance was nice too. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 851 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 2:04 pm: | |
Yeah Detroit_girl, he left WV with an empty lot and a vacant bar. |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 1442 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 2:47 pm: | |
Another option with parking your car on the street is to purchase a vehicle which comes with an ignition key immobilizer. For example, all Volkswagen models come standard with this feature, which means that for all practical purposes, the vehicle cannot be stolen. Problem solved. It looks like ignition key immobilizers are becoming more popular on recent domestic models, too. |
Ghetto_butterfly
Member Username: Ghetto_butterfly
Post Number: 656 Registered: 09-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 5:56 pm: | |
Doug, any idea how far back VW's are equipped with this feature? Mine is a '99 Jetta. How do you know whether your car has it? |
Dougw Member Username: Dougw
Post Number: 1443 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 - 10:03 pm: | |
Looks like '99 VWs had them. See http://www.automotive.com/1999 /12/volkswagen/new-jetta/speci fications , open the Ride/Braking section. www.automotive.com seems like a pretty good site for looking up specs on older models. Looks like even Chrysler models have immobilizers now, checking some '07s. One way to know if your car *doesn't* have an immobilizer, is if you have an all-metal key. A key with an immobilizer has a plastic handle, with the chip inside. |
Ghetto_butterfly
Member Username: Ghetto_butterfly
Post Number: 658 Registered: 09-2004
| Posted on Thursday, November 23, 2006 - 5:56 pm: | |
Thanks Doug. That's good information. I never knew this immobilizer even existed, and I have it in my car. Makes me feel better. I wonder if car thieves know about this feature because even though we had several rashes of car thefts/vandalism in my neighborhood over the last years, my car was never affected, not even an attempt of break-in. I like my trusty little Jetta and plan on driving it into the ground. |
Ohudson Member Username: Ohudson
Post Number: 158 Registered: 09-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 8:48 am: | |
Wow, I am a new resident of West Village, too. I moved in about 3 weeks ago on St Paul. I got a fixer upper gem of a townhouse that I couldn't pass on. Thanks for all the info, luckily I have parking in the back. Welcome to da hood! |
Itsjeff
Member Username: Itsjeff
Post Number: 7168 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 8:51 am: | |
<------ Click here, Ohudson. |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1963 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 12:38 pm: | |
ESD -- I really need to get a pair of your glasses. You are doing wonders with your house, and it looks great. There are others that are doing wonderful things as well. However, when I moved into the neighborhood, we had two upscale restaurants (Harlequin and Van Dyke Place), and sandwich shop and bakery, a coffee shop, and Honest John's all within easy walking distance. None of those places are there -- and none have been replaced. I love the neighborhood and will miss it. But let us not make it out to be something it is not. You can love and support the city with eyes wide open. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 856 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006 - 6:23 pm: | |
Dabirch, I think that those places just hung on really long. None were on main thoroughfares OR near the freeway (Agnes, Field and Van Dyke?) and since everyone drives in Detroit, those are hard locations to do business in. The neighborhood will have to reach critical mass before it gets a cool neighborhood place, probably in 3-10 years depending on the economy. People will tire of downtown eventually (I think many already have) and the close in neighborhoods will become popular. Corktown already has. Maybe when the riverwalk is done, WV/IV will become hot as Corktown, Midtown and Downtown get oversaturated. Right now house parties seem to be the social scene in WV/IV. Lately, I feel like I'm going to a party at someones house every other weekend. I guess when you have such a beautiful house, why go out! BTW, what year did the Riviera turn into Indian Village Market, from what I hear that was an immense improvement. Oh and thanks for the compliments on the house. It still needs a lot of love though. It's so oddly positioned on that crappy corner. Hoping for nice infill around us some day. But until then we'll try to make that corner shine. |
Dabirch Member Username: Dabirch
Post Number: 1971 Registered: 06-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 11:04 am: | |
The IV Market was definitely an improvement. Keep fighting the good fight ESD. Just keep your eyes open and be conscious of the faults -- otherwise they will never be addressed. Hopefully you will be able to stick it out until there is a neighborhood place to eat and drink, when people can leave their cars on the street overnight, and when you wife and kids can go for a walk by themselves at dusk or before sunrise, and you don't have to worry about their safety. I was always sure i would make it until that time as well. Peace. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 857 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 12:54 pm: | |
Dabirch, I understand everything you're saying and fully realize I'm in the Honeymoon period with the neighborhood right now. I'm very conscious of the neighborhoods faults, I'm surrounded by them since I'm on the edge (not on Parker) -- 7 vacant lots and a boarded-up house right outside my window. But I like to see glass half full so to speak. It important to remember that neighborhoods are not houses and stores, they are collections of people, and I've met some great and interesting people in WV that have changed my view of the world forever. Good Luck in SoCal Dabirch. Sorry we couldn't hang more. |
Sknutson
Member Username: Sknutson
Post Number: 744 Registered: 03-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 1:18 pm: | |
Eastsidedog: Where in WV do you live? |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 858 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 1:36 pm: | |
On the edge. The bleeding edge. |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 859 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 1:56 pm: | |
I'll beat Eric_c to the punch and tell you that I actually live in Islandview. But I am literally 5 feet outside the WV border south of Kercheval north of Lafayette (but I'm a WVA member). That help? (Message edited by eastsidedog on December 05, 2006) |
Eric_c Member Username: Eric_c
Post Number: 897 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 4:05 pm: | |
"Beat me to the punch"? Why I would never be so bold as to call attention to the fact that you live in Islandview! We poor slobs in Islandview know our place, sir! Field Ave. -atcha! |
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog
Post Number: 860 Registered: 03-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 6:12 pm: | |
Lol. I'm just perpetratin. It's true. |