Detroit: City Profile 

Visited Detroit for the first time a few months ago. When I told my friends I was going they had some genuine concern for my safety and it uneased me a bit, but once I got there I had a fantastic time and really enjoyed the place. Hope Detroit can continue to improve and eventually prosper!

I just returned to Germany from a two-week-trip to Detroit City and its Metro area. My mother was born in Wyandotte and studied in Detroit at Wayne State University where she met my Dad, who immigrated into the US and into Detroit in the 50s. My parents moved to Germany in the 70s where I was born. I have a huge family in the suburbs of Detroit (Wyandotte, Belleville, Riverview, Taylor...) whom I visited during my trip. But I also stayed 6 days in Downtown Detroit in a wonderful appartment at Cadillac Square, from where I explored as much of the city as I could, mainly walking by foot. I can say I fell in love with the city and can comprehend everything my Dad told me about his glorious and important time he spent in Detroit. He ows Detroit very much and always points out how much the city helped him growing to be the man he is now, accomplishing everything that constitutes his life. Of course you still see the wounds, injuries and scars from the times of decay and bancruptsy in the city. Some of these perhaps might never be healed totally. But I was nevertheless amazed by the beauty of the city, the old iconic buildings like Guardian, Penopscot, Fischer, Chrysler, Book Tower, Westinn, Masonic Temple, Shinola Hotel etc as well as the new ones that have been built recently or are currently under construction. You feel the growth there, the spirit of willing to come back, to revive. That alltogether creates an uplifting an inspiring atmosphere and vibe. I visited the Detroit Institute of Arts which really is one of the finest arts museums I know of, also the Wright's African American History Museum. I visited Eastern Market on market day on Saturday and was overwhelmed by its beauty and livelyness. Love all the creative street art there around and all over the city. I walked through Cork Town to Michigan Central Station which altogether with the park area in front of it is being reconstructed in the moment. I'm curious to come back and see what it will be like when it's filled with new life. I spent a whole morning until early afternoon walking around the campus of Wayne State University to look out for the traces my parents left here when they were studying here together. On one Sunday morning I attended a wonderful and uplifting, heartwarming Worship Service with the congregation of Fort Street Presbyterian Church where the folks gave me a very warm and personal welcome as their guest. Never experienced anything like that in Germany! If it weren't for my life, my own family and business in Germany, I could very well imagine myself moving to Detroit and living there. I find the city very attractive with all its beauty, contradictions, contrasts, dark sides, visions, with its belief in itself, with its willingness to recover, to invent itself anew. Really feels like real life. There's nothing fake about Detroit. It's all pure and real. Love it!

Not too many travel vlogging, geography channels I follow say as much positive or go as much in depth about the city as you do and I really appreciate, respect you for that. Detroit is such a unique city with a well defined character and culture of itself and I'm glad you like coming here and checking out the place. Keep up the good work!

Thank you. 99% of YT content on Detroit seems 7-10yrs behind and ignores reality. I'm a musician living in Eastern Market and LOVE it. I can walk from here to Midtown to Corktown, Downtown, Rivertown and back without any worries or blight. There's a tremendous amount of rebuilding happening that is pushing outward and I appreciate your honest take about this great city comeback. Respect!

I have always wanted to visit Detroit, but was nervous because of its reputation. This video has changed my mind, and I’m going to plan a visit to the city. Thanks for the video and information as always.

I'm a Detroiter, and I approved of your message 💙💙👍

Detroit area native here. This was an excellent overview, especially since it did not solely focus on the blight within the city. Kudos to you for giving a comprehensive view of the good (and bad) aspects of the city. One thing that is important to remember is that the city used to be nearly 2 million people back in the day, as opposed to about 600k today. This is the main reason why you see multiple city blocks without any residents (especially in parts of the east side). Personally, I think it'll be interesting to see how the city grows throughout this century as people look to escape different areas of the country (coastal cities and the desert) that are more prone to climate change. Who knows, a lot of that empty space may be filled eventually.

Detroit vs. Everybody! Detroit put the World on Wheels, Detroit was the Arsenal of Democracy that ended WWII, and nothing like that Motown sound coming across the airwaves. Proud to be a Detroiter no matter what!

Since it wasn't mentioned, I'd like to pay my respect to Detroit techno, it's where the global movement of techno music was invented. Still lots of great producers and DJs hailing from Detroit.

I've never been to Detroit or Michigan, but I love Detroit. Literally just yesterday I checked back in on it's progress. I'm hoping it can regain it's former glory. It's such a cool looking city.

Born and raised in Detroit and now living in Grosse Pointe's I found your details fairly accurate - thanks for covering all of the exciting new things happening in my home town!

I remember how sketchy Detroit used to be even 10 years ago, but it’s been steadily improving, it’s way better than it was. Now I have a bunch of friends who have moved down there (early 20s) and find myself going down there to go bar hopping, to museums, etc. multiple times a month. It’s much more lively and feels way more safe these days. I really enjoy myself every visit, and it seems like there’s a new shop, eatery, or building every time I go down. My parents both grew up in Detroit and I don’t think either of them are aware of how vibrant it’s become recently. Great video Kyle. It’s refreshing to hear an outsider, yet familiar, point of view that has some positive things to say because Im so tired of hearing every other geography youtuber parroting the “it’s a shithole, literal hell on earth” trope. There is a lot more than just blight and crime in a 140 square mile city.

Detroit Pizza might be the best thing to come out of Michigan. So good!

I go to school at Wayne State! Detroit is definitely one of the best cities, especially for young college students. Always so much to do, amazing places to eat, and great nightlife!

Yes! Musicians do move into cheap places and tend to fix up properties without jacking up prices! Nothing like having a bunch of musicians create music together and then work on fixing their building. Plus it makes for great music videos! Thanks Kyle now I want to move there!

Grew up in metro Detroit and this was a solid overview.

I'm a 3rd generation Detroiter but now live in another state. Thanks for the flashbacks. Me and my parents grew up off Michigan Ave between Cecil & Livernois. My grandparents and husband were more from the Mexican town area. My husband's grandparents were from Poland so my inlaws lived on the east side or Hamtramck. Sometimes we miss the neighborhood feeling that we grew up with. A lot of our family still live up there but nobody lives in the old neighborhoods anymore.

Video could have been 30 min and not covered it all. As far as in town historic neighborhoods, you missed the big ones-Boston/Edison, Palmer Woods, and Indian Village.

I went a few years ago to music festival. The music scene in the area is fantastic with a lot of great underground hip hop acts and rock bands. The downtown was bustling.

I'm not pretending Detroit doesn't have problems, but my son and I had a great day when we were there back in 2008 (we went on a day trip while my wife went to her college reunion in Ohio). We drove through downtown past the Renaissance Center and enjoyed seeing the tall buildings, but our favorite thing was Belle Isle, a large city park that is also an island in the river. The park had rides and playgrounds that my 6-year-old son loved, and it also had natural areas and historic buildings and monuments that this history buff enjoyed seeing. The people were all friendly; a family there for a birthday party even let my son play in their rented bouncy castle. We then had dinner at a Bob's Big Boy right on the other end of the bridge leading to Belle Isle. (It was a nice surprise finding a Bob's Big Boy; they don't have them where I live in the D.C. area.)

Great how you have a nuanced perspective on this city, I feel that many other “geography” youtubers will kinda throw Detroit and other cities completely under the bus, disregarding their important histories and cultural impacts. I hope you do this for other cities that you visit/know well too

Thank you for always providing quality, fair, and in-depth discussion on all these things. It’s so refreshing. Also, I see that Danny Brown album in the back! Good stuff

@Geography King Kyle, thanks for this great video on Detroit. It is a fair and honest report on this interesting city that has had so many challenges for decades. I really enjoyed it. I also appreciate you for including a shot of my friend Nina Friday in the music section of the video, at 12:26. She is very talented and one of the vocalists for the bands The Ruiners and Bat Hearse. Terrific! Cheers and thanks!

I live just south of Detroit, and I absolutely love the city of Detroit. The people for the most part are some of the coolest people around, and with all the different cultures and ethnic groups the Detroit area is very unique. Love this city !!!

Kyle, great job with this. You really gave the city and overall area a fair shake. I live in an inner ring suburb, so I’ve seen up close and personal the transformation of the downtown and midtown areas. It really is no longer you really got to know where you are going to be safe and have a good time. That whole area is pretty darn vibrant right now. You were also spot on about Corktown. Spent a ton of time in this area over the years and decades really, as the old Tiger Stadium was located in this neighborhood. Never a blighted area, but what I would call “tired”. Now almost all of the homes have been refurbished, the neighborhood is full of young urban dwellers walking their dogs. Quite a change. Yes, some of the outlying neighborhoods are still severely blighted, but some, especially on the lower east side, like “ island view” and “west village” are improving. You did a great job describing the food scene. Detroit deep dish is my favorite style of pizza, and is not to be confused with the two corporate giant pizza companies that are based here that are not deep dish. Also the coney dogs are delicious also. One again, thanks for getting a balanced view out there about this area, so people can be more educated about what the area is really like.

Had to throw the Danny Brown in the background. Love the videos man!

New favorite channel right here

Thank you for the most honest review of the city I've seen on RU-vid. As a life long Detroitier I remember this city at its best and live though its long slide but this is the best time to come visit or even move here.

We are Oakland county residents for 38 years love living in Oakland township… Thanks for the review…🥰

As a Student at the University of Windsor in the 80's, we went to Detroit for four things: Mexicantown for amazing food, the old Stroh House brewery tour (not there now), Red Wing games at Joe Louis Arena or ball games at Tiger Stadium. Things have changed a little but I am glad Detroit is fighting back a little. They have a ways to go but with all the new arenas downtown, the new Fox Theatre, the gentrification it feels like in a few decades it may be interesting

This is the most accurate current summary/analysis of Detroit and its metro areas. Great Job

Kyle, I grew up in Detroit and could not have made a better video. Completely spot-on, although I’d argue that having the hot dog in its casing is part of what makes a coney true. Excellently done.

Thanks for the unbiased analysis on Detroit! There is also Palmer Woods and the University District which is a decent area with historic houses as well as old money.

I went to school in Windsor and used to go over to Detroit all the time, mostly for sporting events. Nice to hear the area talked about again on the channel, good work Kyle!

I just want to say, as a resident of the metro area, I'm impressed at just how well you "get" the city. Fantastic video.

I’m from suburbia detroit. I was just down in Nashville for the first time and absolutely loved it. I will be making a trip down there many more times. Might cross by ya on 75 when you’re on your way up to the D!!!! Love the video. Detroit is showing signs of growth man nothing gets me more excited than that.

as a resident of detroit for 10 years, this is pretty nuanced and accurate for the most part

Detroit has culture, it has architecture, it has character, it has cuisine, it has entertainment, and it has opportunity. I love Detroit-one of my favorite cities in the world and I appreciate videos like these which highlight the good more than the often documented bad.

Detroit native here and I think you fairly assessed the city. Fun fact, you may want to actually fact check, is that Manhattan, Boston, and San Francisco could all fit within the borders of Detroit on a square miles basis.

Thanks for doing this. Not enough stuff from people who have actually been to Detroit recently and seen it improve.

Have been away for awhile and really appreciate the update on what is happening in Detroit. Very happy to hear about growing and contiguous area of habitability.

I grew up off 6 mile near the city airport where the mayor at the time of the 80s allowed that zone to decay in order to depreciate the property value that was to be bought up to expand the airport that never happened. So many houses were razed there and other areas at the peak of Devil’s night fires. My sister runs Detroit’s Hispanic Development Center in Mexican town where gentrification is pouring into. But every time I return to Detroit from Milwaukee, I see something new and get excited to see development! Thanks, Kyle, for your video!

Apollo! Most people around here haven’t even hears of it but when the conversation of best coney islands comes up i always say Apollo. Stoked to hear them referenced here!

I've never been but seeing a Tigers game is on my bucketlist. Got to go see my namesakes stature at the stadium. Great vid Kyle. I sure didn't know Detroit was alive like that. Good for them.

I think Apollo Coney Island is probably one of my favorite as well! My grandmother lives at 17 and Dodge Park in Sterling heights. My sister used to live fairly close to 19 and Garfield. Before I moved to Pensacola Florida, I was out in waterford! But I love Apollos!

I typically cringe when I'm recommended a video on my hometown; we've been a punching bag for 60 years. But Kyle, if ever someone was to be trusted to share an honest appraisal of a 310+ year old city that's been under at least 3 country's flags, it's you & I'm grateful for it. There's nowhere else like Detroit, for better or worse. Plus Detroit city water is the best tasting water. Signed, 8 Mile & Greenfield

Another fascinating, well researched video. Thank you!

I was impressed by the limited part of Detroit I experienced...from the Amtrak Station, Woodward Ave. to the Doubletree hotel downtown. All of downtown I explored incl. Coney dogs, and the bus to Windsor. It was a pleasant surprise and I'd like to return and visit Motown's Visitors center and a automobile plant tour next time.

Great attention to detail with the Danny Brown record in the background!

Important Detroit Geography Fact: Detroit is north of Canada.

2 things, coming from someone from detroit, this is prob one of the best description of Detroit, thx you for actually doing some research. And just so ppl know gentrification isn’t always used as a negative term

i live just north of 8 mile and this is a pretty evaluation of detroit. neat cbd but nothing crazy. tons of varieties of food options and music is such a cultural staple here always a show going on or a band playing somewhere. good job 👍

Hey Kyle, you neglected to mention Indian Village, Sherwood Forest, Palmer Woods and my neighborhood, ROSEDALE PARK! These are also well kept neighborhoods and homes. I bought my home in 2008-09 during the economic/mortgage crisis. I was living in an apartment in Southfield and couldn't resist the asking price ($45,000) for a 2400 sq/ft, brick Tudor style home, 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 bath, 2 car garage and a finished basement. Just two weeks ago I got a value estimate of $223,000! GENTRIFICATION GOOD!

Thanks. Very informative and comprehensive. I’ve been through Detroit a couple of times. Very intriguing place.

I grew up in suburban Detroit but stayed in the city a lot with my grandma in Clark Park. Detroit and it’s suburbs are very misunderstood and I think you’ve done a very fair analysis. It’d clear you have a connection to the area.

Next time you are in Detroit, be sure to check out the 7mile/livernois area. There are a couple continuous 6 figure neighborhoods and a strong and walkable retail corridor. Be sure to stop in at good cakes and bakes for one of their cinnamon roles!

Good unbiased report about Detroit! Thanks from a GK fan in western Wayne County 😀

A very accurate analysis of my city i might add! Definitely still has a lot of potential.

I work for a plumbing company north of Detroit and we have old customers in the city. So once in a while I get sent into some pretty sketchy areas. I always took the long way back north for some sightseeing the worst areas. Some blocks are entirely abandoned. Never had a bad experience though.

Great analysis of Detroit. I grew up in the Detroit Metro area, and much of my family is still there. The state of Michigan has always had much going for it. Because of various complexities existing in the city, including having too big of a physical footprint for the size of the current population, it would benefit from some original and creative thinking. Love your video. I would like to see you do more videos re Detroit and the metro area.

Love that you put the Danny Brown record in view! Detroit thru and thru

Great video and thanks for sharing some positive info about Detroit.

I'm in Pontiac, Michigan. Right up the road from Detroit. Cool video, I appreciate you all for putting it together.

A quick showing of the area in a highlighted portion of a map would he very helpful when visualizing each part of town. Cheers

Nice job describing Detroit. While it still has a long way to go, especially in the neighbourhoods, Detroit is being reborn. It is such a unique area and culture. They have a great mayor now and luckily tons of investment going on by the Ilitch family, Dan Gilbert, the Ford family and Roger Penske.

I love Detroit--have ever since a visit as a kid. The zoo is solid, there are good museums, I love both Detroit pizza and coneys, there are some cool mansions (think the Fords of multiple generations), and it is home to the Red Wings! If I lived closer I would make a couple visits a year. Thank you for a balanced look at this iconic American city.

Best and most honest look at Detroit that I've ever seen.

would love to see more videos like this about other cities!

As someone who grew up in Detroit I think you summed it up with one quote, “Well it’s improved, but it’s still Detroit.” Thanks for doing this Detroit video though.

Love listening to "Howdy it's Kyle" every fucking time.

As a Metro Detroiter, I love your video brother, especially the last part. I'm glad you visit often, any special event in particular? I was wondering if you have seen the wild slide, out in Belle Isle. It is something else lol. I love seeing many favorite restaurants in the vid too. Have you checked out Scotty Simpsons? #1 Fish in Chips in the whole universe. It's in a rough neighborhood though, but the fish is so good. Loved seeing Astoria Bakery. I'm a sucker for their Spinach Pie and also anything with chocolate mouse, oh and Meringue Cookies. Pizza Papilas #1! This video made me happy, all your vids do. Thank you! Have a good one

Grew up at 10 Mile and Novi Road. One thing you didn't mention was that Woodward Avenue is the dividing line between the west side and the east side in the suburbs and that generally west siders don't go to the east side and vice-versa because of the sprawling distance between them. Royal Oak and Ferndale are right in the middle and it's one of the few place where the two sides intermix (besides in the city itself). By the way, Sterling Heights is a north east suburb as it's pretty far east of Woodward which is what brought all this to mind.

Wayne county resident here. One cant forget the giant Italian markets we have all over and there are even still churches in Italian. People forget us in convos with Chicago and New York but there is a huge population still here in and around Detroit.

I wish we could encourage tourism in the city for out-of-staters! It seems like there are so many great things happening downtown, and more tourism to the cultural district would be so helpful for the city.

I grew up in upstate NY and iv'e never heard them called "Michigan's" they're are called 'Coneys' up there too. Another very interesting and good to hear video that Detroit is on the rebound!

Nice! I grew up at 10 Mile and Little Mack. Can't wait to move home from central NC.

I love the Danny Brown album in the background

Picturing you jamming out to Danny Brown made my day

I appreciate your positivity, it's too rare these days.

As an Upstate New Yorker, a Michigan is a hot dog (usually of the Glazier's brand with the red casing), that has a meaty sauce on it (think sloppy joe sauce) with chopped onions. And only extreme northern New Yorkers know about Michigans. Get south of the Adirondacks and it is unheard of.

Detroit really has some great spots. If you’re not looking for trouble you won’t find any trouble. Is it ruff? Sure is but it’s that gritty feel that makes this such a unique place to live in or visit.

I went to Detroit in in 2013 from Canada... it was quite a shock. Dilapidation, poverty.... it looked somewhat like a war zone a few years after the conflicts over. I had to keep telling myself that I was in the US, the world's richest country. It was the middle of the day and there was barely anyone around downtown, except for beggars (one of whom was spaced out on crack, and another one followed me around and into a restaurant, sitting down with me). I got the bus out to the Motown museum and was the only white guy on it there and back. The cashier at the store by my motel had bullet proof glass ("this _is_ Detroit" the lady said) and a prostitute propositioned me inside the hotel lift. Exploring the nightlife, I was warned repeatedly not to walk from bar to bar but get a taxi instead. Some of the architecture was interesting, the city has an interesting history, and some of the locals were quite friendly, but by god it was grim.... hopefully it might have improved in the years since I went.

Dang you're good at what you do. I could watch your videos all day long. Your's is one of the very best channels on RU-vid.

I worked for a Big Three company back in the 80's and would love to see Detroit make a complete comeback. Thank you for highlighting their progress and thumbs up on ur idea of seeding additional gentrification with musicians. Could you do a similar analysis for Cleveland?

Joe Louis Arena was a downtown arena for the Redwings and concerts for almost 40 years so there was a downtown arena before little Caesars.

Finally a real video Not the bleak Urban Blight video - when the seas rise on both coast watch how this place will be the smart place to be 🔥🔥🔥

So many beautiful houses in the suburbs with wonderful craftsmanship on the woodworking and masonry details. Hope more homes are restored in the future to preserve them 🙏

I live in LA but I have family in Michigan (Detroit, Kalamazoo and Detroit) I haven’t been to Detroit since 2017. But when I went I had so much fun. I also learned that the geography is heavily influenced by Paris, France.

I don’t think many people would be upset about downtown Detroit being gentrified. It’s better than abandoned and blighted.

You comment about the staff dropping glasses and the patrons reacting is so damn true!

Still waiting on the Maine vid😃

Kyle! Loving the Danny Brown shoutout on the wall…a true Detroit legend

GREAT video. Excellent review for an outsider. When we visit city we want entertainment districts and breweries, historical and gentrified neighborhoods, landmarks, good walking areas, and bike trails. You did most of that. Do more cities!

Currently a local of Oakland county with family ties to the east side, and that was definitely a fair and honest assessment of Detroit! Great video!

Detroit was a jewel, the level of wealth and prosperity in the 1960's was unmatched. War time supercharged the city then it burned down.

“Mexico town, named for the large influx of Armenians landing here in then past 30 years. Of course that’s right next to little Italy which is chalk full of Cambodians. But that goes without saying”

Was downtown and midtown detroit yesterday for a walk and ice cream. I've been many places and I can say without a doubt what they've done to downtown blows alot of other major cities away. Looking up Woodward at night is simply amazing. Can't believe how gorgeous they've blade it and it started with Kwame. Folks don't give him the credit. Don't @ me because I was born and raised here since 84.

As a Michigan native thank you for this Kyle and I love you for this. Also if you're ever into shopping malls Michigan has a nice variety of malls.

LOL 16 & Groesbeck is where I grew up. Hearing that took me back...

THANK YOU for not making a completely ignorant video about (metro) Detroit ❤️. We get so much shit from everyone. There’s a lot of great places in Detroit still. Great neighborhoods that are over shadowed by the terrible ones. No one talks about the nice parts of Detroit. There are nice neighborhoods and the place really is coming back to life, I can’t wait to see it… in 30-40 years lol there’s a lot of work to do ❤️