A photograph of a lakeshore neighborhood in Grosse Pointe, MI

A photograph of a lakeshore neighborhood in Grosse Pointe, MI by D gp nwk – Wikimedia Commons

10 Safest Neighborhoods to live in Detroit


 

Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Detroit’s violent crime rate is six times higher than the national average, with a 4% decrease in homicides in 2021. There are a lot of crime problems to be solved in the city, and leaders are making strides. The crime rates in Detroit are above the national average in all categories. 

The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 census, making it the 27th-most populous city in the United States. The city consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S., but it doesn’t mean it’s unsafe to live here. After all, over half a million people proudly call Detroit home. 

Like with all major cities, it’s important to do your research, be vigilant, and get acquainted with the safest and most dangerous areas of any city. In this article, we explore the 10 safest neighborhoods to live in in Detroit.

1. Sherwood Forest

Sherwood Forest is an area in Detroit, Michigan, United States. The community, with about 435 houses, consists of two subdivisions: Sherwood Forest and Sherwood Forest Manor. The neighborhood was named after Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, England which was the setting for the Robin Hood tales.

Most of the houses were built in the late 1920s and 1930s. Sherwood Forest is within the Detroit Public Schools district. Here, you’ll find close access to parks, quiet streets, and a 20-minute-or-less commute into Downtown.

THINGS TO DO IN SHERWOOD FOREST:

Take easy strolls straight from your house to the Sherwood Pines Forest Park or explore the legend of Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest Country Park. Set out for a day’s hike along the Robin Hood Way or enjoy the country views in Clumber Park.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: Detroit, Michigan
RENT AVERAGE: One Bedroom: $738 ; Two Bedroom: $883 ; Three Bedroom: $1,056
SCHOOLS: Farmington Steam Academy and Hamtramck Academy
AMENITIES: Sherwood Forest Branch Library and Sherwood Forest parks
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: train which takes 2h 18m and costs $40 – $80. OR TAKE A  bus, which costs $25 – $45 and takes 3h 5m.

2. Jefferson-Chalmers

Jefferson-Chalmers Historic Business District Detroit

Jefferson-Chalmers Historic Business District Detroit by Andrew Jameson – Wikimedia Commons

The Jefferson–Chalmers Historic Business District is a historic district located on East Jefferson Avenue between Eastlawn Street and Alter Road in Detroit, Michigan. The district is the only continuously intact commercial district remaining along East Jefferson Avenue and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

In addition to 100-year-old brick roads, ranch homes, and mansions, Jefferson-Chalmers boasts canal communities and immediate access to Alfred Brush Ford Park, a cozy waterfront space and a favorite locals spot for casting lines and catching fish.

THINGS TO DO IN JEFFERSON-CHALMERS:

The district is unique in that two big-band era ballrooms, : the Monticello and the Vanity Ballroom. Get to attend and participate in  the cultural activities of the early 20th century social scene, which still exist within the district

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan
RENT AVERAGE: One Bedroom Apartments range from $925 to $8,550
SCHOOLS: George Defer Elementary School, Hutchinson Elementary-Middle School and Bates Academy
AMENITIES: Fisher Mansion, Mariner Park, Detroit Sails, marshall’s BAR AND DETROIT RIVER SPORTS
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: bus from  Jefferson & Rivard station which takes 19 min and costs $1 – $2.
 

3. Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills Southfield Township Oakland County, Michigan

Beverly Hills Southfield Township Oakland County, Michigan by Ken Lund – Wikimedia Commons

Beverly Hills is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located within Southfield Township, Beverly Hills is by far the most populated village in the state. The area was incorporated as a village named Westwood in 1958. It was incorporated in the same year as the much larger city of Southfield to the south.

By incorporating as a village, it prevented the area from being annexed into the city and allowed the village to retain its own autonomy. In 1959, the village changed its name to Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills is a part of the Birmingham Public School District. It is home to several public schools: Groves High School, Berkshire Middle School, Beverly Elementary, and Greenfield Elementary.

THINGS TO DO IN Beverly Hills :

The city offers various recreational opportunities for its people, like boating and fishing, hiking, biking and golfing. Visitors can also plan a sightseeing trip and enjoy visiting all the tourist attractions situated in and around the city. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: Oakland County
RENT AVERAGE: one bedroom $1,358 and three Bedrooms $2,100 
SCHOOLS: Beverly Hills Academy, Greenfield Elementary School, Lawrence Technological University, Oakland Community College-Bloomfield Hills Campus and University of Phoenix-Detroit Campus
AMENITIES: Franklin Historical Museum, Inglenook Park, Robert Kidd Gallery, David Klein Gallery, Artspace II Inc and Cranbrook Art Museum
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: Detroit to Beverly Hills  line 851 bus and line 420 bus which costs $4 and takes 1h 39m, TAXI OR CAR

Read more unbelievable  facts about Beverly hills

4. Midtown 

Detroit Skyline

Detroit Skyline by Michael Tighe – Wikimedia Commons

Midtown is a mixed-use area consisting of a business district, a cultural center, a major research university, and several residential neighborhoods, located along the east and west side of Woodward Avenue, north of Downtown Detroit.

The Midtown area is a general mixed-use community area of neighborhoods containing successive waves of development that have transformed the area multiple times since it was first platted. The area includes several historic districts, the Detroit Medical Center, and Wayne State University.

The Midtown neighborhood offers residents a little taste of nearly everything. With housing options from high-rise apartments to historic homes, spilling with shops eateries, and culture, it’s easy to see why this is such a trendy and popular Detroit neighborhood. 

THINGS TO DO IN MIDTOWN :

Midtown Detroit  offers the best food experiences when you visit the restaurants and the best nightlife in the bars. Also visit the museums for a historical trip of Detroit and finally shopping. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: DETROIT
RENT AVERAGE: One Bedroom $574 and two-bedroom $1,444 
SCHOOLS:  Hamtramck, Henry Ford Academy, Southfield and University Liggett School
AMENITIES: Motown Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, Motor City Brewing Works and  Detroit Riverwalk.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: Detroit to Midtown Detroit bus  costs $2 takes 9 min

Read more in this article on the coolest cafes in Midtown.

5. Berkley

Downtown Berkley

Downtown Berkley by WeaponizingArchitecture – Wikimedia Commons

Berkley is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. This area’s crime rate is below the national average. In fact, Berkley’s crime index is 73 on a scale where 100 is the safest, which means Berkley is safer than 73 percent of U.S. cities.

Berkley is comprised primarily of single-family homes, such as three-bedroom brick homes, which offer a wonderful neighborhood if you’re planning to raise a family. Additionally, Berkley’s close proximity to the downtown area offers a short commute for professionals and a handful of Detroit attractions.  The public school system in the area also has a higher rate of proficiency than the overall average of all schools in the state.

THINGS TO DO IN berkley :

Downtown Berkley is home to many restaurants, boutiques, clothing stores, and retail shops. Berkley’s municipal offices, public library, and parks. You get to explore these amenities when you reside there.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: DETROIT, michigan 
RENT AVERAGE: studio $953 , one bedroom $1,170
SCHOOLS:  Burton Elementary School, Norup International School, Berkley High School and Farmington Steam Academy
AMENITIES: Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room. Wineries & Vineyards, Detroit Kid City, Royal Oak memorial Park. Monuments & Statues and Classic Book Shop.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: The Detroit Bus Company,  TX Alliance Taxi Service or car

6. Grosse Pointe

A photograph of a lakeshore neighborhood in Grosse Pointe, MI

A photograph of a lakeshore neighborhood in Grosse Pointe, MI by D gp nwk – Wikimedia Commons

Grosse Pointe is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Grosse Point provides a quiet atmosphere, a reasonable commute to many companies in the city, and safety. The crime rate for this area is low, with an average of five violent crimes and 98 property crimes per year.

The Grosse Pointe real estate landscape is full of older Colonial homes, and this area of the city is usually associated with old money. Detroit real estate in this area is among some of the most expensive in the country. Sidewalks provide safe places for families to walk throughout the area. The school system is among the best in the city, as well as the state. Grosse Point also is home to the Young Republican’s Club, a yacht club, and other members-only establishments.

THINGS TO DO IN grosse pointe :

Grosse Pointe offers a range of activities to explore from the Hamtramck Disneyland  to the Outdoor Adventure Center and the Detroit Experience Factory. There is no dull day to experience here. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: DETROIT, michigan 
RENT AVERAGE: two bedroom  $930, three bedroom $1,443
SCHOOLS:  Grosse Pointe Woods and Lewis Maire Elementary School
AMENITIES: Detroit River Sports. Kayaking & Canoeing, Balduck Park. Playgrounds, Parks, Fisher Mansion. Historic Sites and point Beaches.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: bus from Clifford & Washington takes 34 min for $2

7. Bloomfield Hills

A guesthouse in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

A guesthouse in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan by Balthazar Korab – Wikimedia Commons

Bloomfield Hills is a small city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a northern suburb of Metro Detroit and is approximately 20 miles northwest of Downtown Detroit. The school system and community activities are among the most active in the area. Lakes are a major part of the landscape and a source of entertainment all year long.

The Bloomfield Hills area, which is flanked by West Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Township, is an affluent community with close ties. . The overall crime index is 77, which means Bloomfield Hills is safer than 77 percent of communities across the country. 

THINGS TO DO IN bloomfield hills: 

Explore more than 40 acres of gardens that are available for exploration at Cranbrook House & Gardens, a centerpiece of Cranbrook’s 319-acre National Historic Landmark campus.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: Oakland County
RENT AVERAGE: one bedroom $1,139, Two bedroom $1,672
SCHOOLS: Conant Elementary School, Bloomfield Hills Schools and Birmingham Covington School
AMENITIES: henry ford museum, ann arbor, guardian building
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: bus, taxi, car

8. West Village

West Village

West Village by CucombreLibre – Wikimedia Commons

West Village is a historic district roughly bounded by Jefferson, Kercheval, Parker, and Seyburn Avenues in Detroit, Michigan. The district received its name in the mid-20th century because of its location just west of the more well-known Indian Village Historic District. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

West Village is a primarily residential neighborhood containing 275 single and two-family houses, thirty apartment buildings, and about twenty commercial structures spread over 20 square blocks. The neighborhood is platted in an irregular grid and includes a number of service alleys and short, narrow cross streets.

As in many Detroit neighborhoods, the racial tensions, redlining, and white exodus to the suburbs following World War II led to a decline in the neighborhood. However, the resurgence of the nearby Indian Village in the 1970s created a resurgence in interest in the neighborhood. The West Village Association, a neighborhood association, was formed in 1974.

THINGS TO DO IN west village: 

West Village has no shortage of bars and restaurants, offering up choices from farm-to-table, vegan spins on old favorites, pizza, and some of the best baked goods in Detroit. The neighborhood also boasts convenient access to many necessities, including grocery stores, auto repair and maintenance shops, dry cleaners, and laundromats.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: detroit
RENT AVERAGE: one bedroom $949, two bedroom  $1,540.
SCHOOLS: Hamtramck Academy and Garvey Academy
AMENITIES: the Red Hook Restaurants, Jefferson Liquor Mart Groceries,  Craft Work Nightlife, The Lip Bar. Shopping and Live Cycle Delight Fitness
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: bus, taxi, car

9. University District

University District is a neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Located one mile west of Woodward Avenue, the University District is named for its neighbor to the south, the University of Detroit Mercy.

The University District was the first organized neighborhood in the City of Detroit to recognize, embrace, and support Gay and Lesbian persons, dating back to the 1950s. A number of Gay and Lesbian themed bars and nightclubs were only minutes from the District. University District is also seeing a surge in the number of LGBTQ families moving into the neighborhood, which engulfs and relives the history of the district.

THINGS TO DO IN university district: 

Get to visit a number of Gay and Lesbian themed bars and nightclubs which are only minutes from the District. Read more about the best Techno clubs in Detroit

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: detroit
RENT AVERAGE: one bedroom $1,585, two bedroom  $1,952 .
SCHOOLS: Gesu Catholic School,Barbara Jordan Elementary School and Farmington Steam Academy
AMENITIES: Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum, Detroit RiverFront, Eastern Market, The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, The Guardian Building, Belle Isle Park
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: bus, taxi, car

10. Gold Coast 

Gold Coast is a neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan with a population of 2,434. Gold Coast is in Wayne County. Living on Gold Coast offers residents a dense urban feel and most residents rent their homes. 

In Gold Coast, there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals and retirees live in Gold Coast and residents tend to be liberal.

THINGS TO DO IN gold coast: 

Discover top tourist attractions, vacation activities, sightseeing tours and so much more in this city. There are also a lot of parks to explore.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
REGION: detroit
RENT AVERAGE: one bedroom  $850 , two bedroom  $1,350 .
SCHOOLS: Hamtramck Academy, Cass Technical High School and Moses Field School
AMENITIES: detroit riverwalk, detroit zoo, gabriel richard park and belle isle.
TRANSPORT OPTIONS: bus, taxi, car