Detroit The Beautiful

From news stations to the most ratchet blogs, mention Detroit and most people will swear that it is one of the worst places on earth. Before we had our son, my husband and I loved to travel (still love it, just can't do it as frequently). No matter where we went, from D.C to Jamaica, if you said that you were from Detroit  it was almost like you received instant street cred (by the way, my husband is from Detroit. I am not). At first I was baffled by people's reactions, but I guess the infamous perception makes sense, just take a look at this list for example: http://travel.amerikanki.com/worlds-most-dangerous-vacation-destinations/. Detroit is listed as the 8^th most dangerous vacation destination (who "vacations" there anyway?),  not just the U.S but the world, beating out even some countries experiencing civil unrest *insert major side eye here*. While it’s true that there are some parts of the city that you just shouldn’t venture off to at night (or in the broad daylight for that matter), Detroit is NOT at all as bad as they say. In fact, I absolutely adore being in the city and would love nothing more than  to move to the historic district of Palmer Woods…as soon as I can get my coins up, that is. What other urban city has an island dead smack in the middle?!  Think about it...I’ll wait...

Nope, this isn't the movie set for some beautiful far away land. This is actually a picture that I took myself outside the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory (one of my favorite places)...located on that island ( Belle Isle) that I told you about ;-)

 When I tell you that there's beauty and creativity all around the city, that’s an understatement. Sure there’s crime, sure there’s violence (just like everywhere else), but like the old folks say,  it’s all about which dog you feed. I choose to feed the beautiful one. Over the years it seems that the media has had it out for the "D", so allow me to tell you what no one else seems to want to: Detroit is one of the best cities in the world!

The city of Detroit was founded in 1701, so you KNOW there has to be some history there. Although much of the towns grander was given over to distant memories, for the history lover, the historical districts are still very much to die for. There are far too many historical districts to name, so for the sake of time I will note only the most preferred of the residential neighborhoods. Boston-Edison, Sherwood Forest, Indian Village, and my absolute favorite, Palmer Woods, will all give you a glimpse of the splendor that was standard in days gone by (If I omitted any charge it to my head and not my heart).

 

Who wouldn’t want to live here?
 

 

Or here?

 

Come on? Is this really a house?!

 

 

Yup, Bishop Gallagher's Residence to be precise

 

Pictures could never do this home justice (though the brick is similar this is not the same home as the one pictured above). It was for sale at the time of last years Palmer Woods Garden Tour and it definitely feeds my Great Gatsby Fantasies…

 

Please, never mind my appearance, it rained cats and dogs this day—eventually the sunshine prevailed ;-)

 When I tell you we explored...trust me...we explored

Me pretending that this was my backyard

 

How about the Motown Mansion? It's listed for sale NOW.

 

...and the inside?

Though the furnishings aren't exactly my style that detailed ceiling IS! I would love to decorate this room...if I had money.

 

 

 

This is the kind of thing dreams are made of…my dreams anyways...
 

 

Well I don’t mind if I do!

 

 

Not a classic old home (this is from the 1970’s if memory serves me correctly), but I would live here in a heartbeat. They call it the house of windows...for obvious reasons... 

 

 

Because the city is considered less than desirable, the homes are a fraction of the price they would be located in any other place. Nevertheless, these areas are truly their own suburb—I kid you not. I can hear the critics now “what about the school district?”, “do you want to live somewhere that lacks major grocery stores?”, “why would you want to live in a place where you can’t even stop for gas in certain areas?” That’s easy—BECAUSE IT’S GORGEOUS! Well, that’s the superficial answer but there’s a little more to it than that.  If everyone takes on the same abandonment attitude how will this beautiful city ever become reestablished? Someone has to step up to the plate and do the hard work that is restoration. And well, if I can have my own historic manor in the process, why not? Sign me up!

Unlike larger metropolitan areas, it’s a chinch to get to neighboring cities from Detroit, so things like the school district and grocery stores don’t cause me to bat an eye. I mean, let’s face it, it’s not like I would be doing too much walking anyways. It’s the Motor City for crying out loud! Again, the object is to help rebuild the city…not just steal a pretty house folks! So who’s with me? Still think Detroit is all that bad?