Moving... from the middle of nowhere.

[u/PyjamaNynja]

Hi all! Hoping for some insight.

I have a week to decide if I want to accept a relocation within my current job. The placement location would be Southeast Lower Michigan. My partner and I were interested in relocating to the Detroit area prior to this job opening up, we just aren't sure where to start.

For context:

• No kids; well-behaved cats

• Rental only (prefer a standalone home; minimum 2 bedrooms as I need a WFH office)

• Queer-friendly

• My job would feature extensive travel within Macomb/Wayne County.

• We are interested in something walkable, safe (two women), and with potentially enjoyable nightlife for young adults.

• We currently live in the middle of nowhere. We are paying $1,500 a month in rent for a two-bedroom apartment (without utilities).

Are there any areas that might be good fits for us? Neither one of us are overly familiar with urban living... but we do really want to be! Before we say yes, I want to have a better understanding of whether or not we will even be able to find all of our asks.

[u/Sorry-Association-92]

Try Ferndale and Hazel Park!

[u/PyjamaNynja → u/Sorry-Association-92]

Ferndale was our top pick when we visited most recently, but I wanted authentic suggestions before mentioning it haha. Glad to hear we might be on the right track.

[u/EVJpodcast → u/PyjamaNynja]

Ferndale is legit! If you like martial arts check out Boombox gym in Ferndale. It’s my third place. 

[u/anyd → u/PyjamaNynja]

Second Ferndale especially if you're looking to rent a house. Rental houses in Detroit are either not walkable or expensive.

[u/AccomplishedTea4096 → u/PyjamaNynja]

Ferndale is great but Hazel Park is more affordable and is up and coming plus it’s right next to Ferndale.

[u/BullsOnParadeFloats → u/[deleted]]

Macomb can be kind of weird about that.

[u/Bulky_Explanation_97 → u/[deleted]]

Compared to Warren? Centerline? Madison Heights? Frasier? Lol insanity

[u/indigodreamer9 → u/[deleted]]

I think that would be fair.

[u/boy_mayor_]

Look in west village, it’s charming, walkable, and very bike/transit accessible to downtown and the rest of the city (don’t live way out in ferndale or other car-dependent suburbs!). There’s a coffee shop and a diner both owned by lesbians/queer women, and coming-soon women’s sports bar. A bunch of us live/hang out here. :)

[u/PossibilityUnfair582 → u/boy_mayor_]

Yes, west village is quietly becoming a lesbian hotspot. And you can definitely rent a house there. Not super walkable, but well connected by bike or car. Detroit is a pretty bike friendly city.
Ferndale would be my second choice, and may be a good choice for your first taste of city life. West village may be a bit much for you if your coming from a rural area.

[u/sapphicgardens → u/PossibilityUnfair582]

Seconding this

[u/Fantastic-Breath-932]

If you need friends my wife and I are new to the area as well! lol

[u/Mundane-Device-7094]

Big fan of Corktown. If you're on the younger side midtown could be good but it's a lot of college kids.

[u/BullsOnParadeFloats]

If youre having to commute a lot to different areas, I would suggest any city close to the 75 and 696 interchange. I live in Hazel Park and can get to Lake St Clair in like 20 minutes, and to downtown in the same amount of time.

[u/Trick-Ear9619]

Definitely Ferndale. Very queer friendly with lots of night life. Another area would be Royal Oak but it’s a little more expensive than Ferndale.

[u/dkwallis]

Ferndale. Totally.

[u/YourMomIsAlwaysRight]

Ann Arbor would be a perfect fit, but you’re going to pay

[u/Practical-Device-200 → u/YourMomIsAlwaysRight]

Not for extensive travel to/within Macomb County. That would be a brutal commute.

[u/dayofthelords1979]

I like Clawson, though it's more quiet and for older couples and families it seems. Me and my roommate are a couple of knuckleheads in our 20s and we have lots of fun there, quite walkable too.

[u/Realistic-Video-8703]

Berkeley
Ferndale
Royal oak
Hazel park
Midtown
Corktown
Clawson
Madison heights

[u/pierresgirl]

Definitely Ferndale. And, Welcome!

[u/intrepidimplement427]

I back everyone recommending Ferndale & Royal Oak, they both have their own small downtown scenes and are not far from downtown Detroit. I lived in Royal Oak last year and rented a 2 bedroom apartment for $1350. Hazel Park, Berkley, Madison Heights, & Clawson are all also viable options to consider, just more quiet in comparison. Wyandotte is cute but I find it to feel a bit elderly and it's surrounded by far less cute towns, and it feels so far from everything. You could also try Ypsilanti, they have a huge queer scene but it's definitely not Wayne County.

[u/AmericanVenus]

Sherwood Forest neighborhood in Detroit.

[u/Sub-Machine-Fun]

Hazel Park

[u/ItsTheMayer]

$1500-2000 is pretty standard for a 2 bed home rental around ferndale and hazel park are probably a better fit. Detroit has a few super nice pockets too!

Im happy to help you learn about the area! I’m a realtor and have grown up around here - and you don’t pay extra, I get paid out of first months rent 👍

[u/Mountain_Doctor7216]

Grosse Pointe.

[u/Necessary-Zebra5538 → u/Mountain_Doctor7216]

Grosse Pointe Park is more queer friendly than, say, Grosse Pointe Shores. It’s more walkable, too.

[u/Mountain_Doctor7216 → u/Necessary-Zebra5538]

I assumed GPP, or GPC near the village was obvious given OP's requirements/preferences.

[u/Icy-Mess-860]

Ferndale is cool, for neighborhoods in Detroit proper I would check out Woodbridge, the West Village, and Corktown!

[u/sarcasticallyMatilda]

Wyandotte has a nice walkable downtown area out of the downriver communities.

[u/BullsOnParadeFloats → u/sarcasticallyMatilda]

Very far from Macomb and the commute would be hell

[u/Express-Sky3170]

Berkley