Aaron Foley
Why move to Detroit? Feel part of a comeback? Urban living? Proximity to job?
People have their reasons.
Aaron Foley, adman and freelance writer, does, too. Author of the soon-to-be released book, "How to Live In Detroit Without Being a Jackass," Foley posts five reasons on Reddit:
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It's not "cheap" by any means. Housing costs are relatively more affordable, but if you own a car, you will need insurance, which is certainly not cheap. But if you can swing it without a car, we are cheaper than a Chicago, NYC or LA.
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Your social calendar will fill up nicely if you put yourself out there. You can find live music or DJs almost every night. There's bar trivia every night of the week at various bars. There are improv nights. Plays and theater. Art shows big and large. And those are the small things outside the big festivals, concerts and sporting events.
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There's a wide variety of neighborhoods besides downtown, Midtown and Corktown to go exploring in. Indian Village, Palmer Woods, Palmer Park, Rosedale Park, Sherwood Forest, Green Acres, University District, Hubbard Farms, Grandmont, Old Redford, Boston-Edison to name a few.
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It's slightly more progressive (though we've got a long way to go) in the city and suburbs. Hamtramck is the only city in the U.S. with a majority Muslim city council. Ferndale has elected an openly gay mayor. Marijuana is slowly becoming more decriminalized across the region. (Our state-level legislators, on the other hand, make a lot of boneheaded decisions regarding women's health and bodies -- be aware of that, though.)
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You can, if you keep your nose to the ground, find lots of hustles beyond one job. Several people work two fun jobs, a combination of part-time gigs, have their finger in a bunch of different pots...everyone stays busy. Part of it is because opportunities present themselves, and part of it is because you have to fashion an income that will keep you afloat since everything is more expensive now. But it's fun, nonetheless.
