Why Detroit?

Let’s be real—I didn't grow up dreaming about living in Detroit.

If anything, I was lowkey scared of it. The only things I knew about the city came from the news, and none of it was good. It was always framed as dangerous, rundown, and struggling. So when I graduated college and the only job offer I got was in Detroit, I took it—but I wasn’t exactly excited about it.

Then came my first day of work. I had to take a shuttle from New Center to downtown because there wasn’t enough parking near my office. I remember looking out the window as we drove down Woodward, and I swear, my whole perspective shifted. It wasn’t the place I had seen on TV—it was alive with energy, creativity, and a sense of pride.

Right then, I knew I needed to be here.

For a while, I was making an hour-long commute (on a good day) from White Lake to Detroit, waking up before sunrise to beat the traffic. Every morning, I’d grab coffee and watch the city wake up, and every evening, I’d drive home feeling more and more like I belonged in Detroit. It wasn’t just a place I worked—it was a place I wanted to be.

I spent months saving up until I could finally make the move. By the time I officially moved to the city in 2020, my outlook on life had already started changing. Detroit had opened my eyes to new experiences, new people, and new possibilities. Moving solidified everything I had already begun to feel.

When I first moved, I was struggling—deeply.

Anxiety, depression, feeling disconnected from my family and everything I grew up knowing. I was learning so much, meeting new people from different backgrounds, and experiencing things that made me question everything I thought I knew about what my life was supposed to look like. On top of that, I had just been broken up with after a five-year relationship with someone I thought I’d be with forever. I felt lost, alone, and unsure of what was next.

Moving to Detroit saved me.

Detroit showed me that life doesn’t have to look one way. I thought my life had to go a certain way—get married, have kids, and settle down in a place just like the one I grew up in. Now? I know I can support myself, build my own thing, and live exactly how I want. And kids? I don’t even think that’s for me anymore.

But the best part of Detroit? The people.

I’ve met some of the most incredible, inspiring, and driven individuals here. Their energy, hustle, creativity—it’s unmatched.I’ve made friends who have become family. I’ve surrounded myself with people who push me, challenge me, and truly understand me in a way I never expected or experienced before.

So no, Detroit isn’t just a city to me. It’s home. It’s where I found myself, where I found my people, and where I built a life that excites me. And that’s why I love this city.