One of the common Internet narratives is the one where you can buy a $500 house in Detroit. But as usual, there is always more than one story in a big city.
These rentals are a lot more than $500. In fact, a lot more than $500 a month. These deluxe Detroit places (some smaller, some that are basically mansions) will set you back north of $2,000 a month. Of course, there’s a variety of rental housing in the city — and still plenty of abandoned buildings. But we thought we’d take a quick look at what the high-end really looks like and where it is in Detroit — and they’re not all in downtown and midtown.
1. Big Ol’ Brush Park Place — $5,700/month
So this one at 323 Erskine is zoned mixed use and comes with five bedrooms, 2.5 baths, two kitchens and four fireplaces (some of which, from the photos, are bricked up. Along with that, you’ll get yourself a whopping 15 parking spaces. And you could bike on down to the Tigers or the Lions.
2. Live Above Starbucks For $2,700/month
This one has views overlooking the city and you can think you’re in Chicago or New York with Whole Foods across the parking lot and Starbucks downstairs, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra basically across the street. Two bedrooms and two baths are part of this 1,298 square foot unit. If you’re moving from New York to Detroit and just want to plug into a city setting, this could be your ticket.
3. Live Like A Boss In The Building Diego Rivera Stayed In — $2,350/month
When Diego Rivera was painting his giant mural at the Detroit Institute of Arts, this was a hotel at 15 E. Kirby and he stayed here. It’s just across the street, after all. This three bedroom, two bath place has more than 1,500 square feet of room and it looks like gas, electric and water are rolled in. You’re above some cool shops like The Peacock Room and a sushi place. Frankly, out of this list, if you’re looking to live large, this might just be a great deal.
4. If You’re Into That New Construction Vibe — $2,495/month
Three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and your own private balcony are part of this unit at 293 E. Palmer. If you’re looking for something newer in the middle of a bunch of older stuff, this might be your ticket. There’s a lot of talk about thick doors and walls in the listing with the idea that it’s actually quiet in there.
5. All The Way Loft — $2,190
This is big ‘ol two bedroom place at 41 Burroughs in Midtown is almost everything that folks stereotypically talk about in a loft. Exposed walls, big windows, open spaces. The exterior of the building is sweet, next door is the Wayne State Police department HQ, and there’s washer and dryer in the unit. But, if you want a parking spot, that’ll be $40 extra.
6. Fully Furnished Above A Wine Bar — $2,295
You won’t need more than the 700 square feet in this recently renovated place because you’ll basically live at the wine bar downstairs. This unit in The Ashley comes with all the furniture you’ll need, but not a ton of square footage. It falls under what’s called “corporate housing,” so the idea is that you live there while the boss picks it up on the company dime if you’re in town for a month or six on a long-term project. Or, if you just want to throw cheddar in the air and just don’t care.
7. West Village Townhome — $2,000
If for some reason you need five bedrooms, within walking distance of Craft Work and Red Hook coffee, this is your spot. 8109 E. Lafayette is more than 3,000 square feet according to listing text, which should be enough to keep the classy (remember, you’re in one of the villages) night going or, conversely, a place you can fit quite a sizable family. Oh, and if you like tennis? The private courts are just around the corner. Here’s more info on West Village.
8. A Little Slice Of Suburbia — $4,500
This one looks straight out of Troy or Clinton Township, but hey, if that’s your thing but in the middle of the D, this east side place is for you. It sure is spacious with 5,005 square feet, five bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms. Four car garage and a two-story tall great room await you at 147 Sand Bar Lane.
9. Live Awesomely In Arden Park — $3,500/month
We may have saved the best for last. You look at this place, and in one glance you know you could keep up with the decadence of DJ Khaled on Snapchat with this one. At a whopping 8,000 square feet, this 1916 home has it all. Great looks. Class. Eight bedrooms. It could, according to the listing, roll as a family residence or an office, but we think the Italian-inspired 336 Arden Park is definitely for the next Detroit superstar.