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Comment by joem32 | Hacker News Reader

David, with due respect. You're sounding a bit hypocritical here. You make reference to Detroit as an "Armpit" when, in the same sentence you make reference to only "reading about it". Congratulations on becoming a sucker to the media stereotype.

As for brand? We are working on it. Not through what is outwardly projected, but by focusing on building great companies with products and services that fulfill our clients needs. As we, the greater Detroit community become more successful, the media will change their tune... and you'll get your "better brand".

Until then, we dont really care to pay a whole lot of credence to what the "Arm Chair Experts" have to say about Detroit and the surrounding area, because they couldn't be more wrong.

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"David, with due respect. You're sounding a bit hypocritical here. You make reference to Detroit as an "Armpit" when, in the same sentence you make reference to only "reading about it". Congratulations on becoming a sucker to the media stereotype."

I lived 10 miles from Detroit for 20+ years. It's not a stereotype, it really is an armpit. Did you know that there are no grocery stores in the city? This is mostly because they got robbed so many times.

Downtown near the casino is probably the only place you can go safely. The problem is that if you venture even a few miles out of your way, it's dangerous. I know at least three people that got carjacked in the past year in Detroit..and all were just returning to their cars in a parking structure.

"Until then, we dont really care to pay a whole lot of credence to what the "Arm Chair Experts" have to say about Detroit and the surrounding area, because they couldn't be more wrong."

I know Detroit and the surrounding area. They aren't wrong. This isn't a recent thing either. Detroit has had rapidly increasing crime rates since the 70s. I wish it was a better city, like Chicago or New York, but it just isn't. It's sad.

Aside from the liberal government doing things like cutting 20% of the police force and investing in a $500,000 art installation, Ann Arbor isn't a bad city for your startup.

rick888, I never said anything to the extent that Detroit is perfect, it's far from it (I think you'd agree with most of my original post, in fact- http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3120392). But, like any other time that Detroit is mentioned, everyone instantly becomes an expert.

In your case, I'd like to ask, where are you now and how long has it been since you've been to Detroit proper.

> Did you know that there are no grocery stores in the city?

Did you know that's not true, at all? There are quite a few grocery stores in Detroit. It's not a "food desert" like the media would tell you.

Stop believing lies and anecdotal evidence and your failed assumptions from living far away from the city itself.

Did you know that downtown Detroit proper has a lower crime rate than basically every other major city in the US?

There are no main chain grocery stores (like Meijer) in Detroit proper. So I guess there are some grocery stores, but not quality ones.

"Stop believing lies and anecdotal evidence and your failed assumptions from living far away from the city itself."

These aren't assumptions. By continuing to deny the problems with Detroit, it will never get better.

This is exactly what has been happening for years. The population continued to deny that Kwame was nothing but a corrupt thug and the city suffered as a result (in crime and people leaving).

"Did you know that downtown Detroit proper has a lower crime rate than basically every other major city in the US?"

Like I said, right downtown is fine. You go even a mile outside the main strip, and it's worse than almost any city in the US. I know, I've been there many times in the last year.

You can't safely live and work in a city like this.

"So I guess there are some grocery stores, but not quality ones." I disagree. Check out (next time you're in the city) honeybee. It's an _awesome_ grocery store. After that I've been to a variety of the mercados as well as some of the more common spartan stores (not my faves...i'd make the drive for honeybee most of the time if i needed stuff...but it's a fairly large chain).

Also, there's eastern market, which is pretty nice (although I'm pretty partial to the farmer's markets in chicago these days).

"You can't safely live and work in a city like this." YOU can't, but i sure can. I've lived and worked near a variety of projects in other cities as well. It's a city. There are bad elements... like any other city. If you got mugged in NYC would you say you can't safely live and work in a city like NYC? Of course not. That's not to say detroit is for you. Some people can handle environments like that. Others can't. It's cool. I would have a horrible time dealing with living and working in Haiti (i would think), but I have friends who deal with it just fine.

Rick, I'm in Detroit regularly, and the worst thing that's ever happened is a homeless person asked me for my change.

You are right that a mile, let alone a few blocks out can be sketchy in spots... but if you've got half a brain, you dont go there. In recognition of some awesome clean up efforts, parts of the Cass Corridor, which used to be the nearest thing to No-Man's land is cleaned up, and awesome. In fact, I spent a day down there with friends and family over the summer.

As for doing business in downtown, it's honestly been a joy for me. I look forward to going to Detroit. The city has awesome character and I'd like to be a part of the resurgence. Is it going to happen overnight, NO. Are efforts in place to make it an exemplar city, you bet. I'll close by saying Rome wasn't (re)built in a day.

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