Motown Moves: Here Are 9 of the Safest Neighborhoods in Detroit

There’s no doubt about it: Detroit has earned its reputation as a comeback story. Gone are the days when the city’s name was used as a punchline to a joke about forgotten Rust Belt cities. Now that’s only part of this city’s more than 300-year story. In fact, Detroit’s recovery from its sharp population downturn in the late 1950s and through the 1960s has been remarkable — so much that significant travel websites such as Lonely Planet and major magazines, including Time and Travel + Leisure, have named Detroit as a top spot for tourism, business investment, and dining in recent years. Still, you may be wondering where to find the safest neighborhoods in Detroit.

Having housing available in safe Detroit neighborhoods has been an important part of the city’s overall revitalization over the past two decades. In fact, safety has been a major focus for Detroit’s government and police department (as well as Wayne County, in general). Detroit has long had a reputation for crime, especially among its residents. However, with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s focus on improving the city’s education system, getting residents back to college, and boosting the economy, there has been substantial declines in the Detroit crime rates. 

As a result, investment in its housing — both in terms of single-family residential and multi-unit apartment complexes in safe Detroit neighborhoods — has been substantial during this renaissance period. Part of that comes as mega investors from individuals such as Rocket Mortgage’s Dan Gilbert invest heavily in Detroit’s commercial and industrial real estate. But part of it also comes from people moving into the revitalized downtown city center and neighborhoods, eager for the charm, character, and community that Detroit has come to represent, both within the Midwest and beyond.  

Previous population declines and crime statistics aside, the city has tons of great qualities that make Detroit a wonderful place to live. Its cultural institutions, the recent burst of new retail — including stores such as Gucci, Madewell, and Shinola, among others — as well as its impressive list of business headquarters have drawn people from Baby Boomers — who are looking for the stately homes of Palmer Park and the excitement of the University District — to Gen Z — who are interested in tech-friendly neighborhoods like Corktown. 

Ready to find your perfect place in Comeback City? Here are nine of the safest neighborhoods in Detroit that consistently rate well on local and national charts for safety and investment potential — as well as quality-of-life items, such as walkability, access to parks, and the attractiveness of the housing stock. 

Indian Village is known for its historic charm — it was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
(Source: Historic Indian Village Home and Garden Tour via Facebook)

1. Indian Village

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,300
• Average home value: $523,800
• Great for: Diversity, commute

Indian village is a residential neighborhood on the east side of Detroit, located about three miles north of downtown. Its main streets are Seminole, Iroquois, and Burns, all of which have large, stately homes on them that are considered some of the most beautiful in the city. The neighborhood is also known for its historic charm; it was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Its homes come in a variety of styles, including Georgian, Arts and Crafts, and Tudor Revival. Apartments in the area are either inside homes or massive carriage houses featuring high-end finishes such as carved wood and Pewabic tiles. 

2. Palmer Park

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $900
• Average home value: $71,500
• Great for: Commute, nightlife

Palmer Park is one of the most beautiful in terms of parks and its higher-end homes in the city. A key part of this neighborhood is the Palmer Park Apartment Buildings Historic District, which the Detroit Historical Society says contains “some of the finest and most varied examples of apartment building design in Michigan” by noted architects like Albert Kahn and William Kapp. These five- and six-story apartment buildings are stunning in terms of style, which ranges from Egyptian to Spanish Colonial to Moorish. You’ll love exploring Palmer Park itself with its old log cabin, as well as its winding sidewalks for the best dog walks. Its residents are among the most organized, as well, with regular events and great activities through People for Palmer Park. 

3. Rivertown

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,375
• Average home value: $269,900
• Great for: Nightlife, diversity, commute

Not only is Rivertown among the top 10 best neighborhoods to live in Detroit, according to Niche, but it’s one of the safest neighborhoods in Detroit. Per AreaVibes, there is 60 percent less crime in this area than the city average. The waterside neighborhood is right next to Downtown Detroit, so it’s filled with young professionals who mostly rent their homes (the warehouse district has plenty of trendy lofts to call home). And living in Rivertown means equally convenient access to the Riverfront, where you can enjoy green spaces and water views, as well as a slew of dining and nightlife options. Enjoy dinner at The Rattlesnake, grab a drink at Andrews on the Corner, and then catch some live music at Big Pink. 

Sherwood Forest comprises about 435 houses, many of which were built in Detroit’s heyday of the 1920s and 1930s.
(Source: City Living Detroit via Facebook)

4. Sherwood Forest

• Median rent (all sizes): $1,075
• Average home value: $361,500
• Great for: Families, diversity

Sherwood Forest is a classic Detroit neighborhood with some of the finest single-family homes in the city. It neighbors Palmer Park, so there are large green spaces and highly walkable areas nearby. It contains about 435 houses, many of which were built in Detroit’s heyday of the 1920s and 1930s. Its homes follow the English Tudor and Georgian Colonial styles, and its strong homeowners association keeps up the safety and standards of the area. This upscale area also features some apartments in homes, making Sherwood Forest accessible for singles and young families. 

5. Boston Edison

• Median rent (all sizes): $1,325
• Average home value: $308,500
• Great for: Commute, diversity

Boston Edison is a well-established neighborhood, known for its sizable houses and walkable feel. The historical district has 36 blocks and more than 900 homes, making it one of the largest residential historic districts in Wayne County. It is known for its wide boulevards and large grassy areas. It’s also the former home to major Detroit personalities such as Henry Ford, Ty Cobb, Joe Louis, and Berry Gordy, Jr. Its proximity to downtown Detroit and other major shopping districts makes it an ideal location for families looking for a home that maintains its value as well as apartment dwellers who want beauty and a prime location. 

6. Midtown

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,625
• Average home value: $377,000
• Great for: Nightlife, diversity, commute

Situated just north of Downtown Detroit and neighboring Corktown, Midtown is another one of the safest areas in Detroit. In fact, AreaVibes dubs it the safest neighborhood in Detroit, with a crime rate 60 percent below the city average and a property crime rate 8 percent below the national average. Rents here are more expensive than some other neighborhoods, but it’s the price you pay for the close proximity to downtown and the fact that there’s plenty to do in this bustling neighborhood, from restaurants and cafes to bars and parks. Niche reviews from residents tout the sense of safety and variety of things to do. “Safest place I've yet to discover in Detroit. Cost of living is high and climbing but it's for a good reason,” reads one review. 

“Midtown provides a lot of diversity and excellent restaurants that are affordable. If you live in Midtown, you can rent a bike and oftentimes you are close enough to walk to places. It's very populated and so close to downtown Detroit!” says another. 

Corktown’s Victorian townhouses are also great for buyers or renters looking for historic touches and walkability into Detroit’s adjacent downtown.
(Source: Corktown Historical Society via Facebook)

7. Corktown

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,625
• Average home value: $455,500
• Great for: Nightlife, commute, diversity

Corktown may be considered Detroit’s oldest existing neighborhood, but its adjacency to Ford Motor Co.’s up-and-coming tech campus — which includes the beloved Michigan Central Station building and Roosevelt Park — make it one of the most exciting redevelopments in the city. The single-family homes, row houses, and apartments are now in high demand as tech workers surge into the area, taking home prices higher than ever before. Its Victorian townhouses are also great for buyers or renters looking for historic touches and walkability into Detroit’s adjacent downtown. Plus, some of the city’s favorite restaurants, including burger haven the Bronx, pizza joint Grandma Bob’s, and the famous Slows Bar BQ are located here, so there are always good eats. 

8. University District

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,475
• Average home value: $316,200
• Great for: Nightlife, commute, diversity

In recent years, University District has become where all of the local celebrities, such as television news anchors and the like, have moved as they downsized from the suburbs or sought out a more exciting place to live. The neighborhood dates back to 1929 and is known for its educational institutions, including the University of Detroit Mercy. Its homes are grandiose and architectural, featuring marble, stained glass, and elaborate stone décor. The neighborhood is also great for renters because it has access to a golf course, tennis courts, a community garden, and the Northwest Activities Center. 

The Milwaukee Junction/North End community is home to art galleries, museums, restaurants, and a growing number of young renters and homeowners, drawn to its style and cultural organizations.
(Source: Ford Piquette Avenue Plant via Facebook)

9. Milwaukee Junction/North End

• Average rent (all sizes): $1,300
• Median home sale price: $400,000
• Great for: Nightlife, diversity, commute

Milwaukee Junction and North End are neighbors in the best sense in that the two are business and residential districts that are tied together for both their mutual history and sizable recent redevelopment. For example, North End is known as the birthplace of techno music and Milwaukee Junction is known as the home of the Model T automobile plant, since Henry Ford’s Piquette Avenue Plant, now a museum, was based there. The district is home to art galleries, museums, restaurants, and a growing number of young renters and homeowners, drawn to its style and cultural organizations. There are some awesome bars and restaurants here, as well, including Kiesling Detroit and Bucharest Grill.

Is Detroit Safe To Live? Is Detroit Dangerous? 6 FAQs About Moving to Detroit

Q: Is moving to Detroit a good idea? 
A: Yes, moving to Detroit is a good idea because the city is rich with investment and has many up-and-coming neighborhoods that have charming homes ready to move into. Detroit had a period from the late 1950s into the 1980s where it struggled with many people moving out and into the suburbs, resulting in fewer homeowners. But reinvestment in the city from businesses and retailers along with a stable population core of Detroiters who never left, as they note, has kept the city in good stead and ready for investment. Now, with massive updates to its riverfront, lots of investment in housing, and bigger businesses coming downtown, Detroit is a great place to live. 

Q: Is it worth buying a house in Detroit?
A: Yes, it is worth buying a house in Detroit. Detroit’s up-and-coming neighborhoods have some of the most affordable houses in Michigan or the Midwest. Granted, that “$500 house in Detroit” doesn’t exist anymore, and the city is taking action against absentee landlords who buy a home for speculation and then sit on it without making repairs. Plus, the city’s Land Bank is making sure homes are coming back into use, so neighborhoods are more vibrant across the city. So if you invest in a home in Detroit, you’re likely to get not only a great place to live and friendly neighbors but an investment that could potentially double or triple in value, depending on where you buy. 

Q: Is there anywhere safe to live in Detroit?
A: Yes, there are many safe Detroit neighborhoods to live in throughout the city. Detroit has extremely strong, diverse, and cared for neighborhoods where homes not only hold their value but they are skyrocketing in value — like Corktown. Plus, there is a renewed push toward making Detroit safer overall. A good example of this change comes around Halloween. Former problems, such as Devil’s Night fires — house fires on the night of Oct. 30 — have become so low that the local media does stories of Angel Night activities around the city instead o ensure people feel safe and protected. This has resulted in more business growth within the city and an upward trend overall for Detroit’s future prospects in terms of population growth and economic vitality. 

Q: Is it safe to walk in downtown Detroit at night?
A: Yes, it is safe to walk in Detroit at night, assuming you use the same precautions you would normally use when you’re out and about. The Detroit population, through its police department, neighborhood watches, and its business leaders, has invested heavily in new equipment, patrols, and cameras to ensure people feel safe in the downtown area. There is a large nightlife in Detroit with the increased number of retailers, restaurants, and bars, so there are always people walking around downtown on most nights of the week. There is plenty of nearby parking and parking decks around major event spaces, and you can enjoy a walk in downtown Detroit or along the Detroit river whenever you’d like. 

Q: What is the Red Zone in Detroit?
A: Those looking for the safest neighborhoods in Detroit likely want to avoid the “Red Zone,” or the area located within the zip code 48205, situated between Seven and Eight Mile Roads. It’s also known as the home turf for the Seven Mile Bloods, a gang that operates in the east side of Detroit, causing higher amounts of violent and drug-related crime. 

Q: What area of Detroit has the lowest crime rate?
A: Where is the safest place to stay in Detroit? According to NeighborhoodScout, Sherwood Forest is one of the safest Detroit neighborhoods. Most residents there own their homes, and it’s filled with English Tudor and Georgian Colonial-style single-family houses. It’s also next to Palmer Park, so there are large green spaces and highly walkable areas nearby.

Once you’ve settled on one of the safest areas in Detroit for you, call on PODS to make your move as stress-free as it can be.

Making the Leap to Motor City

Yes, Detroit crime rates are high, considering the population level. So if you’re going to live in the city, you need to select a Detroit neighborhood that has people who invest time in their block club, who are organizing events or safety-orientated neighborhood watches, and who take care of their homes so values can grow. Detroit’s crime rates are higher than most of the Midwest and tend to come in high nationwide because of the city’s size — Detroit used to have two million residents at its peak and, as of 2024, its population is a little more than 603,400. But the city is welcoming to investment and strong in its personality, and its residents care deeply about not only its reputation but its livability. So an investment in a home or in renting a place to get to know Detroit is worth it if you’re the right person or family. 

The key to moving to Detroit is to understand two things: You will be welcomed here if you come in with the right attitude and a willingness to contribute. Those who are here just to benefit from a rising real-estate market will not enjoy everything Detroit has to offer in terms of its warm people, its hard-working spirit, and its many opportunities with art, music, and theater. The second thing to remember is that this is a city in the midst of rebuilding, and everything isn’t perfect — yet. There is a lot of work left to do to make Detroit its best. But being part of that rebuilding, exploring all that Detroit has to offer in terms of culture and community, as well as bringing your sweat equity into Detroit’s renaissance is what makes living here so great. If you have an open mind and lots of love to give a city, then Detroit just might be for you. Want to dive deeper? Find out more about specific Detroit neighborhoods on the PODS Blog. 

Karen Dybis is a freelance journalist and a frequent contributor to the PODS Blog. Her work has appeared in Time magazine, U.S. News & World Report, The Detroit News, and more.

(Source for image featured at top: City Living Detroit via Facebook)