Detroit Apartments and Rentals

It's true; Detroit has its detractors. Pessimists say that the glory days of Motown have given way to hard times. There's some reality to that, but every cloud has a silver lining. In Detroit's case, that silver lining seems to presage the gleaming second dawn of Motor City. While we're waiting and working to make that happen, a Detroit apartment won't cost you much. That's a fact that's made artists and makers and urban adventurers head for Michigan.

In the late 19th century, Detroit was known as the "Paris of the West." It was here that Henry Ford built his first car. Following him came Dodge, Packard, Chrysler, and other automotive impresarios. With industry came laborers from the American South and from Europe. The powerhouse of Detroit gave rise to unions and civil rights struggles in the post-war period. When the auto industry fell into decline, so did Motown. Renaissance remains a powerful theme for residents, however. Ongoing Downtown revitalization speaks to the resiliency that drives this city.

There's opportunity to be found in Detroit. The historic areas of New Center and Midtown stay busy and safe. The Detroit Riverfront offers up converted lofts and restored 1920s luxury buildings, some with views out to Belle Isle and Canada. Grosse Pointe to the east is full of old money. On the fringes of the city, low-density neighborhoods prove problematic. It's probably best to forget those areas when searching for a Detroit apartment.

While the American auto industry isn't as vibrant as it once was, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler still employ about a fifth of the folks who live in Detroit. Other active fields in the area include emerging technology, biotechnology, and information technology. Major companies based in Detroit include Compuware, OnStar, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Quicken Loans.

The most prestigious school in the Detroit area is the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. If you want to study within the city limits, there's Wayne State University, University of Detroit Mercy, the College for Creative Studies, and others.

Detroit is an inexpensive city, particularly in terms of rental property. While the average one-bedroom in town rents for $595 a month, you can get a four-bedroom for just $170 more. Over 17 percent of residential property remains vacant in this city, making it a renters market. You can expect a lower cost of living in Detroit in general.

The Detroit Institute of the Arts is one of the larger, more impressive art museums in the country. The Motown Historical Museum invites you into the small home where the Supremes, the Temptations, and the Jackson 5 all recorded gold record hits. You can head to Comerica Park to watch the Detroit Tigers play baseball, Ford Field to see the Lions on the gridiron, Joe Louis Arena to watch the Red Wings take the ice, or head out to Auburn Hills to see the Pistons shoot hoops. You can also catch a show at the stunning Fox Theater.

You can be part of the community spirit in Detroit by attending one of the city's numerous special events. Detroit River Days features one of North America's most impressive fireworks displays, celebrating both Independence Day and Canada Day. The Spirit of Detroit Thunderfest stages hydroplane races down the Detroit River in the mid-summer. The North American International Auto Show comes to Cobo Hall in January. A month or so later, the Motown Winter Blast in Greektown includes ice-skating, concerts, and a street party.

To make the most of your Detroit apartment search through the listings on Rent.com®. We hope to help make your housing search as easy as possible.