[MSM]

I also have worked for QL, and there are actually very few of the workers that live downtown. Most commute from the 'burbs. I considered it and did a lot of research and here were my thoughts:

-The income tax needs to go. 2.5% to live in a city with pretty bad crime and no amenities? No thanks.

-Car insurance is through the roof. If you park on the street it's assumed your car will get broken into occasionally.

-I don't feel entirely safe. If I were to walk home from a bar at 2:30am I would be concerned. 20 miles away in any direction and I wouldn't think twice about it (I'm a young guy and I will not drink and drive, so this is a legitimate issue)

-It's actually quite expensive considering the above. A "nice" apartment in a decent part of downtown will cost $1k+/mo. Go to Plymouth, Northville, Royal Oak (high demand, up-scale areas nearby), and you'll be able to get a reasonable apartment for this same price, sans all the above issues.

I really hope it turns around, but my realistic side is a little worried.

[astrodust]

Municipal income taxes is one of those things I've never understood about the United States. If the city is highly desirable, like NYC, or even San Francisco, then sure, it might make sense. It does seem like quite an absurd premium for a city like Detroit.

[smurph]

All good points. I sometimes think it would make more sense for companies to skip Detroit and just open an office in Royal Oak or Ferndale. I would work there in a heartbeat.

[BallinBige]

Ferndale, Royal Oak, Birmingham (anything on woodward north of Detroit) are great places to live/work

[geogra4]

Ferndale and Royal Oak don't really have white collar office jobs.

At any rate. The state of Detroit is extremely Depressing. It's the region's major city!

[growdetroit]

This is just not correct -- plenty of white collar jobs in Royal Oak. There are an abundance of creative/web design shops within downtown Royal Oak area itself.

[BallinBige]

not true at all... Just last week I saw a sign for WambaTech being put up in downtown Royal Oak - http://www.wambatech.com

[mgkimsal]

You could probably get a decent apartment for at least 20% less plus not as much crime, plus more amenities around town (whether walking or driving).

[tlb]

Municipal taxes pay for police. You can't simultaneously propose to eliminate tax and decrease crime.

[MSM]

It's true that my living in Detroit will help provide the police with more money, which may in turn make more people in the city, which may bolster the police even more... etc. However, I think it's quite a gamble. What if I buy property and the area does not improve? Who will buy it off me if things maintain or go south further?

All of the "nicer" areas that I mentioned in my previous post have very low crime rates and no municipal tax. To add to the previous issues I had, Detroit is poorly run. There have been quite a few cases of corruption of city officials.

It's just another thing that needs to be wrangled in.