Believe it or not , we ’ve got it pretty safe in Detroit . Sure , we have our average portion of problems – wait , excise that . We have more than our fair part of job . We have an unequal ploughshare of problems , and legitimate things to worry about that others cities just do n’t .
We do n’t have to repeat all of the vexation Detroit has . But we do know that , comparatively speaking , there are things we should worry less about . Detroit stands to improve in a lot of ways , but if you ’re nit - nibble about things beyond your control , you ’re making your life more scummy than it has to be . Here are some things about this metropolis you ’ve either got to put up or shut up about :
1. The weather
Listen , you know precisely what you signed up for by living in Michigan . It ’s cold all winter , hot all summer , spring and downfall are essentially the same , and your energy bill is probably run to suck no matter . The estimable way to adjust , if you have n’t done so already , is to plan ahead . Get toilsome train for the winter . verify you ’re not drive on bald tyre during the showery season .
2. Boredom
“ Oh , there ’s nothing to do in Detroit ! ” weep the lonely transplant who ’s been to the DIA once and never another museum , ever . As a town build on community , we have long traditions of socialize in our own households , so we ’re fairly indoorsy anyway . Still , we ’re going intoconcert and festival time of year , and venture what : it ’s completely o.k. to go do something outside your comfort zone . Whether it ’s a trip to theArab American National Museumor theCharles H. Wright Museum of African American History ; hanging out at theHamtramck Labor Day Festival , theAfrican World Festival , the summer time of year atChene Parkor theDetroit Jazz Festival ; or even trek it up to theDTE Energy Music TheatreorMeadow Brook Amphitheatre , there ’s no deficit of weekend activity . During the week , await out forpop - up dinnersin bars , DJs spinning Greco-Roman vinyl radical , free concerts by up - and - come bands , and karaoke nights .
3. Having to move to the suburbs
It is not the final stage of the world if you move to Southfield . We get the FOMO of not living Downtown , but let ’s face facts : if everybody in Metro Detroit last Downtown , it would get ludicrously crowded . Whether you ’re moving for a Book of Job , moving to lift your family , or just desire some goddamned space , the rest of Detroit will still be here for you , and you’re able to still savor it . You ’ll just have to ride a little for it . Speaking of which …
4. Having to drive places
It ’s the Motor City , and it ’s not fit to change anytime soon . Yeah , I ’m sure you wish Mayor Duggan could undulate a magic wand and make every street four lanes – one automobile lane and three bike lanes just for you , ripe ? But again , this is another of those " you knew what you were getting into " kind of things that ’s not changing anytime soon .
5. Sports traffic
With all the lecture of a likely newfangled association football stadium , one of the quick concern was dealings around yet another sporting event , in addition to the heinous Wings , Tigers , and Lions dealings . ( Not to mention grownup concert . ) Traffic sucks – though this author ’s in no positioning to criticize traffic whiner , having quietly hurled insults at bicycle tours clogging up major intersections a mere hummer stop ago – but this is one of those things we have to accept live on in a metropolis . If there ’s a big game going on , avoid Downtown . Simple .
6. Really, traffic from any large event
When theNorth American International Auto Showhappens , masses complain . When theWoodward Dream Cruisehappens , people complain . Both of these , in improver to other magnanimous draws ( Movementis just around the turning point , so grumble about all the fluorescent hipsters in Hart Plaza the right way now to get it out the mode ) , worldwide crowd amount here to see what Detroit is all about . Let ’s be a fiddling grateful we have dealings , because the alternative is none at all .
7. Restaurants that aren’t designed specifically for you
Oh hey , yet another Asiatic - fusion , Michigan - beer - serve , small - plate - dishing , no - brunch - yet - because - the - demand - isn’t - there eatery is opening in a former service department / widget factory / wig storehouse , and there ’s exactly one vegan pick on the carte , and you ca n’t bring your Canis familiaris . There ’s a new eatery possibility in Detroit every week these days . Your day will come .
8. Everything being too expensive
Well yeah , only betray at leather goodness stores and eat out 12 sentence a week adds up , does n’t it ? Say what you will about some of the fancier things orifice in townspeople , but you should never say you ca n’t get by on the cheap in this urban center . incur out your favorite bars ' happy hours ( here , we did it for you ) – or maybe try a novel bar ? Look for healthy food selection to cook at home , and yes – you may shit intelligent outside of the Midtown Whole Foods . ( Super Greenlandin Dearborn , anyone ? ) And you do n’t have to have a $ 600 Shinola lookout to wear made - in - Detroit superbia ; the metropolis ’s all-embracing diversity of craftsman and Godhead would be happy to have your business as well . ( Oh yeah , and maybe follow@freeismylifeon chirrup for all the right Detroit deals . )
9. The rent
The big , controversial issue on everyone ’s mind is the cost of Downtown living . Or the cost of Midtown living . You ca n’t afford to be in Detroit ? No , wait – you ca n’t afford to hold up in Downtown Detroit . The rest of Detroit , whether it ’s a flat in Hamtramck or a three - bedroom house in Grandmont , is still affordable . You need to get out there and see some other neighbourhood before diddle the " Detroit is too expensive " card . ( And either way , you ’re still stupefy with gamy railroad car policy . )
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Aaron Foleyis the author ofHow to Live in Detroit Without Being a Jackass , editor ofBLACDetroitmagazine , and probably knows more about Detroit than you .
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