I moved to the city of Detroit two months after my graduation from Kalamazoo College. My apartment search took all of one visit. Upon seeing the Coronado I immediately had decided this former 1920’s luxury apartment building was the perfect place to begin my new life in the city. After going through about a month of paperwork associated with low-income housing, and the sufficient amount of convincing the less enthused parents, we were able to move into this wonderful place. This was the home through which I would get to experience Detroit over the next year and I could not have asked for a better place. Here are some of the great things the Coronado afforded me:
-Your neighbors say hi to you and want to talk!
-There is delicious food and drink everywhere around you (Avalon, Goodwells Market, Honest Johns, Motor City Brewery, Bronx Bar…)
-$200 a month rent.
-Biking to work.
-Bunches of places to shop and do thing (Green Garage, Spiral Collective, Curl Up and Dye, The Hub, The Auburn…)
-The 1600 sq. feet is fantastic for hosting guests.
-The opportunity to live in an extremely diverse neighborhood that included families, young people, seniors of all backgrounds
–Here is a picture of the beautiful Coronado building! (It was moving day that’s why I look unhappy.)
The Coronado and Midtown was the perfect place to begin my experience with Detroit. It was a little rough around the edges at times, but for the most part it provided a very warm and welcoming home. With the start of Challenge Detroit I have since moved to Lafayette Towers, and this has allowed me to further my explorations of the city. I have loved being able to walk to both Eastern Market and the downtown. Living next to a park that provides ample green space and a local grocery store cannot be overrated. I feel very lucky to have been able to live in two such wonderful places straight out of college and I hope that other recent grads will take advantage of the amazing living opportunities that Detroit has to offer.
Happy New Year!
Sam