[joosebox]

Wrong, just wrong. It'd be easier for whomever wants to get a more accurate picture to Google articles about Detroit from the last few years. Dan Gilbert is igniting a change. It's not going to happen overnight. I grew up in METRO Detroit (cannot claim the D), but just throughout MI and especially my peers (I'm 24), there seems to be a more optimistic attitude about Detroit's future. I'm not a natural optimist, either. I would have maybe agreed with you two years ago. Dan Gilbert is probably the biggest reason I disagree with you now.

I'm hopeful, but far from guaranteeing anything. It's just not NEARLY as bad as you've described. My 23 year old friend recently moved into an apartment downtime and his rent is already up almost 50% from last year. It may be anecdotal, but gentrification is without a doubt taking place. I'd be willing to bet that this will be the first year in a long time Detroit does not see a population decrease. If not this year, then next. Hope I'm not wrong! :D