Is detroit really as bad as people say?

[313Weather]

Originally Posted by Remisc

The city has improved in many areas. You left the year after the riots, when the city's infrastructure and economy was pretty much totally crippled.

In defnse of Maxine, Detroit continues to decline from the Detroit she knew and love. Detroit was an entirely different city 45 years ago, and most who knew that Detroit would take it in a heartbeat versus today's Detroit.

[Maxine3]

Originally Posted by Remisc

Well, here's one for example. Look at my neighborhood, if you will: Sand Bar Lane, Detroit, MI - Google Maps

Yes, this is within the city of Detroit.

One small neighborhood....nice, but typical suburban house.
Nice that you can afford to live there, but what about the people that have no choice but to live in the hoods?
How is your police presence compared to the rest of the city?
Ask an average Detroiter what they think of the city. Guess you will have to go out in the neighborhoods to ask as they don't have computers.

[Remisc]

Originally Posted by Maxine3

Ask an average Detroiter what they think of the city. Guess you will have to go out in the neighborhoods to ask as they don't have computers.

I'll have to suggest you speak to detroitlove, ForStarters and Slappy San. They are what you would call 'average Detroiters' and are pretty much happy with this city. Also, I'd look into these areas if I were you;

Marina District, Detroit, MI - Google Maps

Jefferson Chalmers, Detroit, MI - Google Maps

Briggs, Detroit, MI - Google Maps

I went to all those neighborhoods when I was looking for a house in the city, and spoke to some of the residents. They are all unique, multicultural areas. African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and a surprising amount of white former suburbanites such as myself. You name it, and they live in these areas. These areas have a great housing stock, access to downtown, strip malls, and little niche stores, and ethnic diversity. What more could you ask for in a city?

[chiroptera]

I'm also a follower now, your portraits and writing are wonderful.

Originally Posted by ThePeopleOfDetroit

Detroit is what you make it. They neighborhoods are no so much dangerous as they are abandoned and in disrepair. Unlike many of the posters here, I actually live here and grew up in the city (Highland Park, specifically).

Downtown and Midtown are great places to live. That's where I currently reside. Since I started doing my photo project (The People Of Detroit) I've met so many creative, motivated, smart, attractive folks.

I photographed the founder of the Detroit Opera House. When I came across him, I didn't know who he was. I had also never been to a opera.

Just this past Sunday, he called me up and invited me to the Opera.

When I arrived, I had box seats in the middle of the theater. And much to my surprise, the opera founder came and sat next to me thru the entire performance.

This is a man who spent $20 million of his own money to fund the opera. And he's the sweetest man you could ever hope to me. His photo:

The People Of Detroit: Visionary

Also, a creative director in China saw my photo project on flickr and hired me to shoot a ad campaign for McDonalds there. Its a great place for me to being doing a project like this because the city is in the international spotlight - for better or worse.

So yea, I love Detroit. Though I admit, your results may vary.

Noah