People have a million questions when they find out I live in Detroit. While most of them stem from a skewed perception of the city, some questions I am still trying to answer myself. Here are a few FAQs and my attempts at answering them.
Where do your kids play?
There are so, so, so many choices for places to play. We go to the Riverfront, Dequindre Cut, Belle Isle playground, school playgrounds and more.
We are members of the YMCA and while we have never used the daycare/play area there we have enjoyed open swim in the pool. Some days we drive to the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. On non game days, Jack loves to play on the giant Tiger outside Comerica Park. He loves the fountains on the River outside of the Renaissance Center in the summer and all year round we enjoy the Science Center and Historical Museum.
Kids find ways to play wherever they are. The boys enjoy our outings and I enjoy watching him discover the city.
Do you worry about safety?
After the break in back in November of 2013, I am painfully aware of the risk we take living in a big city. Since that date we have upgraded our security to ensure we are as safe as possible.
We have a new security system, updated locks, better doors and most importantly, a giant beastly dog named Gus.
Let’s be honest, living here is not for everyone. Just like city life anywhere is not for everyone. I love living here and cannot imagine moving anywhere else (except for maybe a far off island or Paris. I would make a fantastic Parisian.)
Where will you send your kids to school?
Ryan and I have become involved in a group called The Best Classroom Project. We are a group of parents with similarly aged children looking for the right school for our families. We attend school visits, write reviews, speak with parents of school aged children and meet regularly to discuss our findings. Through this group we have discovered many desirable options in Detroit schools, both public and private.
Where do you get your groceries?
I get this question a lot less now that Whole Foods has opened. That is absolutely our “go to” but in addition to the big box grocers, we love Eastern Market Saturdays, Parker Street Market in our neighborhood and Parkway Foods on Lafayette.
I am an open book and happy to answer any of your questions. Just shoot me an email and I will do my best to get back with you. Callie@withlovefromDet.com
