West Village

Due to the neighborhood’s location, it is easy to understand why the West Village often gets overlooked; when compared to other historic areas, it doesn’t necessarily meet the mark. However, when evaluating the area on its own without comparing surrounding neighborhoods, you will find that it does have a lot to offer without the higher cost of living.

The West Village is welcoming to singles, students and families, due to the diversity in housing. Sure, there are some expensive historical homes, but there are also plenty of smaller ones, duplexes and apartments. Of all the historical districts, this one also offers the largest mix of races.

The school district is mediocre, there are definitely better, but you could do worse as well. Bus routes travel down a few main roads if you need public transportation, or a highway is nearby if you need to commute.

Of course, there are always bonuses to being close to the downtown area. You will never find yourself short of things to do from enjoying fine cuisines and entertainment to simply walking around.

If you appreciate an eclectic mix of Queen Anne, Tudor, Colonial and Mediterranean Revival style houses, you will enjoy living in this neighborhood.

I have driven through parts of this neighborhood while traveling up both East Jefferson and East Lafayette. There are some very attractive homes contained in this small area.

West Village is another one of those historic districts that are sprinkled around the city. It has a heavy concentration of one and two story, older style homes and some apartment complexes. The actual residential streets in here could use some repair, but it's not like you are going to destroy your tires by driving over them. Butzel Middle School is also located in this neighborhood, and so is the Butzel Family Recreational Center, where I have played hoops before.

Like I said the neighborhood itself is small, only about 3 or 4 blocks wide and stops at East Vernor. East Jefferson is the main thoroughfare though, and has retail outlets and public transportation available. There are bus routes down Van Dyke as well.

Due to its proximity to downtown, this neighborhood is not far from the city's major amenities and entertainment options. Being located so close to the Detroit Riverwalk is a major bonus as well. In my opinion, this is a very nice neighborhood to live in, especially if you like the downtown area.

The West Village – just outside of the bust downtown center of Detroit – is in the middle of The Villages neighborhoods, and is the eastern Gateway to both Belle Isle and to the Detroit Riverwalk. As the boardwalk neighborhood of Detroit, it is one of the charming and historic plots of land within the metropolitan area. The West Village is home to young professionals, artists, students and families alike, and though it is not a large neighborhood, draws a large number of visitors and encourages activities and nightlife.

The neighborhood is bounded by the roads of Parker, Seyburn, Jefferson and Kercheval and is just west of Indian Village. It is in the National Register of Historic Places and is comprised mostly of residential areas that house just under 300 homes. Laid out over 20 square blocks, it is one of Detroit’s neighborhoods where Victorian and Colonial architecture can be seen side by side, and is one of the few areas populated by middle upper class homes.

House listing prices in the West Village remain higher than much of the rest of the city of Detroit, and crime and unemployment remain low in an area populated by residential homes, families and professionals. The area has been home to many prominent Detroiters, and though it houses few opportunities for shopping, dining and schooling, is within a short drive of a number of favorites of some of Detroit’s elite over time.