Spanning 139 miles, Detroit is home to over 600,000 people as of July 2022, according to the United States Census Bureau. Detroit is famous for being the automobile capital of the world, and it’s recognized as the birthplace of Motown music in the 1960s. If you’re thinking about moving to the area, knowing which neighborhoods to consider can help you find the best home that aligns with your lifestyle, interests, and goals. Explore 10 of the best neighborhoods in Detroit, which we’ve selected based on their unique features, landmarks, local businesses, entertainment options, dining scenes, and community initiatives.
Why move to Detroit?
Detroit is a great place to live, work, and invest in real estate, as it has significantly increased its revitalization efforts to appeal to a diverse range of individuals. This city takes pride in its rich history, as settlers from various nations and backgrounds have established their roots here. Time Magazine named Detroit one of the World’s Greatest Places in 2022. This city is steeped in history and culture and offers visitors a variety of activities, including touring historical landmarks and catching a Detroit Tigers baseball game at Comerica Park.
The automobile capital values innovation, creating new things from the old. You can enjoy a lower-than-average cost of living and healthcare, as well as several family-friendly activities in its neighborhoods. Detroit also has a vibrant nightlife scene featuring bars, pubs, and dance halls.
Best neighborhoods in Detroit
When choosing the best neighborhood in Detroit, there is no one right answer. We carefully considered each neighborhood below based on the cost of living, proximity to fun activities, popularity, and revitalization efforts. The average rent for apartments in Detroit is $1,318 per month, and many of these locations have selections that are around this average.
Detroit continues to grow because of ongoing revitalization efforts in many of the city’s historic districts. This has resulted in increased popularity, activities, job opportunities, and housing options, as many of the revival efforts also involve building more houses.
1. Downtown Detroit
Located in the heart of the city, Downtown Detroit is home to the central business district and plenty of apartment options. With rent ranging from $814 to $2,300 per month, you’re sure to find the right place to call home that also aligns with your budget. Whether you are a sports enthusiast, parade lover, or simply looking to enjoy all the offerings of this area, Downtown Detroit has everything within a short walk or drive. Some top attractions of this neighborhood include the following:
Because this neighborhood is the center of so many activities and is the top-ranked public square in the United States, this can mean more crowded public spaces. With over four million visitors reported in 2021, Downtown can be quite busy, especially when there are big events happening.
2. Midtown
Nestled up against Downtown Detroit, Midtown is a cultural hub that has a rich history. This neighborhood was rebranded in 1976 to better focus on the artwork that stemmed from there. With its reboot, this neighborhood is now bustling with a variety of cultural, academic, medical, and business communities. If you want to join this fun community, rent often ranges from $875 to $5,500 per month. This eclectic community has unique attractions, such as:
- The CARR Center
- International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit
- Wayne State University
- The Scarab Club
While this community has a variety of fun activities, residents can have a hard time finding grocery stores to make their own food creations. This is because the city doesn’t have many grocery chains leaving just 64 stores to service the entire city.
3. Corktown
Being the oldest neighborhood in Detroit, Corktown offers a unique blend of historical sites and new-age entertainment. Named for its Irish settles, Corktown is home to live music venues, trendy bars, intriguing boutiques, and a wide assortment of restaurants where you can munch on spicy Mexican food or mouth-watering Japanese cuisine. With rent prices ranging from $475 to $5,650 per month, you can find the right place to fit your tastes and budget, regardless of whether you’re looking for something cozy, tight-knit, contemporary, or luxurious. Some top sights that await you in this neighborhood include the following:
- The Sugar House: Serving as Detroit’s original craft cocktail bar, The Sugar House offers a variety of unique seasonal craft beverages along with stay-worthy classics to appeal to any connoisseur.
- Eldorado General Store: The Eldorado General Store, which began as a saloon in 1870, offers a variety of trinkets from both local and distant sources.
- Motown Museum: Visitors can explore the fascinating world of music history at the Motown Museum, which includes Motown artifacts, photographs, costumes, and other memorabilia.
Being that many of the residential and commercial buildings are older, the colder months are a bit harsh for those living or working in these buildings. With an average winter temp of 20 degrees and summer time reaching 83 degrees, heating and cooling are a must for this neighborhood, which can result in costly electric bills.
4. Greektown
This quaint neighborhood, originally established by Greek immigrants in the 1880s, offers a vibrant entertainment and nightlife scene that perfectly complements its historic Victorian streets. If you want to live among the Victorian splendor, you can find a place to call home with average rental prices from $145 to $475 per night. This cultural hub attracts locals and visitors from all over the world and is home to adventure, with places such as Ford Field and Comerica Park within walking distance. Here are some other top attractions to consider in this neighborhood:
Due to its size, it might be challenging for new residents to find long-term rental properties. Making connections and networking within the community can help you learn about potential long-term rental properties quickly while forming meaningful and lasting friendships.
5. Eastern Market
With average rental pricing ranging from $1,100 to $2,300 per month, the Eastern Market neighborhood pays homage to its wood and hay sale roots with its Saturday and Sunday markets that highlight all that this neighborhood offers. Aside from the six different markets that Eastern Market hosts, you can also attend an eclectic assortment of festivals, take part in one or all kinds of cooking classes at Shed 5, or relish in one of the many historical tours available. Some places to check out include the following:
Since this neighborhood focuses more on the commercial than the residential, housing can be harder to come by for those wanting to move to this community.
6. Indian Village
Located in West Village, Indian Village became the second historic district in Detroit in 1971. With rent ranging from $825 to $3,895 per month, this beautiful neighborhood can appeal to those seeking a connection with nature and history. Residents can embark on a day’s adventure without having to travel far, thanks to the stunning and historic architecture, tours, and the Centennial Garden built in 1995.
The neighborhood’s key highlight is the Home and Garden Tour, which is the second oldest tour of its kind in the entire state of Michigan. If you miss it, don’t fret, as this is an annual two-day event hosted frequently in June every year.
Because this neighborhood has a historic designation, its residents follow strict appearance regulations that are more comprehensive than standard city regulations. These regulations encompass not only lawn maintenance and upkeep but also the maintenance of the physical appearance of each structure to preserve its historic beauty, which can be a detractor for those wanting to make their home or apartment all their own.
7. Woodbridge
Named after Governor William Woodbridge, the Woodbridge neighborhood is another historic district, but its start is rooted in the large farm its namesake owned in 1840. With its array of residential and commercial historic buildings, residents can enjoy the beauty of this suburb on a casual stroll. With rental properties ranging from $1,200 to $2,000 per month, you can find the perfect home for your needs, no matter if you want a cozy one-bedroom or roomy three-bedroom home.
Getting around this neighborhood is easy with its close proximity to the center of Detroit and other neighborhoods. Whether you prefer walking, taking the bus, or driving, you can easily navigate the area. Some top places to visit include the following:
Even though this neighborhood has a positive walkability rating, relying on city transport to get you farther into the city can be quite precarious. Public transport is known to be unreliable in Detroit with only 48 bus routes and a single 2.9-mile automated rail service.
8. Brush Park
With about 80 original structures still standing in this neighborhood, Brush Park started as a 300-home community in the 1850s for Detroit’s elite citizens. This community experienced a revival in the 1990s and now offers various housing developments for individuals of all ages and economic backgrounds.
Apartments are available at a range of prices, starting from $800 to $5,500 per month. This means that there is a suitable option for everyone, regardless of their budget. Local schools in the area include Midtown KinderCare, Charlotte Mason Community School, and Most Holy Trinity School. To get the most out of the community, you can visit local spots, such as:
Similar to other historic neighborhoods, it can be quite challenging to find a rental that aligns with your needs and budget in this community.
9. West Village
West Village is a community located just west of Indian Village, nestled within the Islandview neighborhood. It gained its historic status in 1980. Serving as a representation of the massive growth of Detroit, this neighborhood has apartments for rent ranging from $825 to $3,895 per month. Some things to check out in or near this neighborhood include the following:
- Adams Butzel Complex: While schedules are subject to change due to weather and season, some activities offered to different age groups include pickleball, basketball, dance, kickboxing, Zumba, square dancing, and swimming.
- Cadieux Cafe: Starting as a Prohibition-era speakeasy, the Cadieux Cafe serves a delicious menu alongside feather bowling.
- The Old Shillelagh: Serving as Downtown Detroit’s Irish pub, the Old Shillelagh is the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day, with the circus-style tent party being the talk of the town since 1987.
While this community is farther away from the city’s heart, it isn’t as large as other communities. This means that if you want some variety in your takeout or something fun to do, you will have to leave the neighborhood and venture closer to the heart of the city.
10. Palmer Woods
Close to the outskirts of Detroit lies Palmer Woods, which boasts winding streets that weave through architectural beauties on either side. Known as one of the more upscale neighborhoods in Detroit, rent prices from nearby neighborhoods range from $800 to $1,295 per month. Full of Tudor-style homes, this community got its start when Senator Thomas Palmer donated 188 acres of farmland to the city. Local attractions include the following:
- Palmer Park: With fun activities such as golf, disc golf, and a splash pad, along with tennis courts and a pavilion, there is something for any event or outdoor enthusiast at the park.
- Sam Ferndale Grill: Home to delicious Greek cuisine, Sam Ferndale Grill is just a short drive away from Palmer Woods, offering options such as Saganaki Opa and its famous Greek salad.
- Barefield ClayWorks: For a touch of local artistry in your home, Barefield ClayWorks creates masterfully crafted pottery and functional, decorative artwork.
For some, the community’s close proximity to the Evergreen and Woodlawn Cemeteries can have people wanting to steer clear of the community. Being that it’s also nestled up next to Palmer Park means that you can count on a certain level of traffic year round.
Detroit boasts several unique neighborhoods, each with its own rich history, culture, and living arrangements. There are plenty of academic, cultural, and entertainment options in each neighborhood, so you’re sure to find the perfect place to call home. Take some time to explore Detroit’s community and discover which neighborhood suits you best.
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