1. Proximity to My Family. Originally from Metro-Detroit, I have lived 5 out of the past 9 years outside of the country. I have spent years away from my family, only communicating via Skype, email and snail mail. While I am grateful for the unbelievable experiences I have had, it was really hard to be so far away from them. Now, I live a mere 20 minutes away from my family and I am able to really experience Detroit with them! I cannot imagine living in Michigan and not living in the city of Detroit, in fact it’s hard for me to fathom living anywhere else in the US besides Detroit. So this is my call to all you suburbanites. Detroit is not as far as you imagine! Come to the city and enjoy all it has to offer. Take a walk along the Riverwalk and wave to the Canadians, go ice skating at Campus Martius, ride your bike through the Dequindre Cut, go shopping, go to a museum and go get some great food. Get outside of the suburbs and come enjoy your city!

 2.Eastern Market. While I go there to buy fresh fruits and vegetables all year round, for me Eastern Market isn’t so much about the food as it is about the experience. Especially in the summer, there is an unbeatable energy at the country’s largest historic public market district. You will see people young and old, from all different backgrounds out and about on a Saturday morning- there are deals to be found, produce to be bought and fun to be had. Honestly, if my Mom was writing this, Eastern Market would probably be her #1. She is obsessed, and it’s a good thing; thanks to her I have countless memories of the Market and of Detroit throughout my life! One other program that is worthy of a shout out is Double Up Food Bucks. The program operates in the summer and fall out of Eastern Market, and 69 other Michigan Farmers Markets. Double Up Food Bucks is an innovative program that supports people who have SNAP Benefits (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) by matching the amount of money they spend with special tokens, so they are able to purchase more Michigan-grown produce. And even if you don’t know anyone who is eligible for the assistance program it should still be on your radar- it’s a great program and people need to know that this assistance is available. And for all those Eat Local Advocates out there- it is one of the best ways to be sure that the food you are buying was grown locally so if you see the Double Up Food Bucks sign at the vendor stand than rest assured the produce was Michigan grown.

3. The Food. So, I have been a vegetarian for over two years and have most recently transitioned to a completely plant based diet. I thought it would be really hard to go out and eat delicious food with all of my cool and fun friends. I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t have any options, but than two minutes later I remembered that I live in Detroit. There are so many great restaurants that have vegetarian and vegan options! Here are a two of my personal favorites- Seva and Woodbridge Pub! Go. Eat. Detroit.

4. It is Beautiful. There is this theory I read about when I was doing research for my thesis last year. It’s called environmental determinism and all those urban planners out there would probably refer to it as architectural determinism. Basically, it means that the space around a person helps to determine their behavior, so if you are surrounded by beauty you will be inspired to do great things. Downtown Detroit is full of all these amazingly beautiful buildings, for example,The Guardian Building.  If you haven’t been inside than I urge you to take a D:hive Tour and learn some fun facts to share with your pals about Detroit’s architecture. I have the pleasure of working on the 29^th floor of the Renaissance Center, and every day I am able to see the wonder of downtown, which is clearly one of the reasons I am inspired and doing great things!

5.  D:hive– Yes D:hive is seriously one of my most favorite things about Detroit. If you don’t know what D:hive is you need to do some research and find out. They are the first place I would direct someone who wants to learn more about Detroit. They say it better themselves (on their website) than I could ever try to summarize: “The D:hive is a physical storefront and welcome center in Detroit’s Central Business District where you will find help with anything Detroit: places to LIVE, great WORK opportunities, ways to ENGAGE, and how to BUILD your business in the city.” I think it is wonderful that D:hive exists. I have been to a lot of cities around the world, and if there was a D:hive in every city- than every city would be better than it is now.