Why are Michigan’s cities falling behind when it comes to “family-friendly” rankings? A recent national study has raised eyebrows by placing Michigan near the bottom of the pack. In WalletHub’s latest “Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family” report, Michigan ranked No. 38 out of 50 states, making it the worst in the Midwest for families. Even more startling: among 182 U.S. cities compared, Detroit came in at 181st (second from last). Only Memphis, TN scored lower, while Grand Rapids, Michigan’s other entrant landed around the middle at 100th. These findings have left many locals puzzled, especially those who’ve experienced Michigan as a great place to raise kids. In this deep dive, we’ll explore what’s behind these rankings, how they square with…

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Ask ten Michiganders where "Up North" begins, and you’ll get twelve different answers. Some point to a highway exit. Others name a favorite lake town. A few insist it doesn’t start until you cross the Mackinac Bridge.

But that's what makes the idea of "Up North" so special: it's both a destination and a feeling.

It’s the first time you see more pine trees than power lines. It’s the moment traffic clears and the air smells like wood smoke and water. Whether you're chasing waterfalls, pulling up to a lakeside cabin, or just passing a handmade pasty sign on the side of the road, the experience is universal: you’ve left the grind behind and entered the best version of Michigan.

Still, there are some clear turning points. If you’ve ever driven north…

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Exploring Metro Detroit: Top Things to Do in August offers a vibrant snapshot of city life that proves why living in Metro Detroit feels like a year‑round celebration and why so many are moving to Metro Detroit for its unbeatable mix of culture, community, and excitement. From the roar of classic engines at the Woodward Dream Cruise to the immersive pageantry of the Michigan Renaissance Festival, August brings block parties, waterfront spectacles, and family‑friendly fun to every corner of the region. Music lovers can catch chart‑topping tours at Little Caesars Arena and outdoor concerts under the stars, while sports fans cheer on hometown teams or marvel at soaring aerobatics during the Oakland County Air Show. Whether you’re craving hands‑on…

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For decades, the Detroit Lions were the NFL’s lovable underdogs, a franchise more familiar with heartbreak than hope. Now, after back-to-back playoff seasons and a stunning 15-2 campaign last year, Detroit enters 2025 with its eyes on a bigger prize. Running back David Montgomery even calls this season “the year of reckoning” for the Lions, a bold declaration that reflects a locker room tired of settling for “almost.” The question on every fan’s mind: Is 2025 finally the year Detroit finishes the job?

Just as Metro Detroit’s housing market is defined by surging prices and fierce competition in 2025, the Lions enter this season ready to compete at the highest level.

Detroit Lions, Facebook

From Cellar to Contender: A New Era in Detroit

Not…

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They say Michigan has two seasons: winter and road construction. As July winds down, “orange barrel” season is in full swing across the state, especially in Metro Detroit. After a brief holiday reprieve, crews are back at work “fixing the damn roads,” in Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s words. By the end of this construction season, nearly 24,500 lane miles of roads and 1,900 bridges will have been repaired or replaced statewide, an unprecedented push to improve our drives without raising taxes a dime. Now that Michiganders are returning from record Fourth of July travels (over 2.6 million residents drove 50+ miles over the holiday), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is ramping projects back up. Here’s a friendly roundup of what’s starting now…

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Michigan’s lake towns are the stuff of summer legends. Every year, when the weather warms, families across the state (and especially from Metro Detroit) pack up the car and head “Up North” for a dose of sun, sand, and small-town charm. It’s a time-honored tradition in the Great Lakes State, after all, no point in Michigan is more than 85 miles from one of the Great Lakes, and you’re never more than a few miles from an inland lake. With so much water everywhere, it’s no wonder Michigan boasts dozens of storybook lakefront communities that have been delighting visitors for generations. From Lake Michigan’s resort beaches to Lake Huron’s historic harbors and the wild shores of Lake Superior, each town offers its own slice of paradise. This insider’s guide,…

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Detroit just hit a housing milestone that would have been unthinkable a decade ago: the median home sale price in the city has climbed into the six figures. In June 2025, the typical Detroit house sold for over $100,000, the first time ever values have reached that benchmark. That price is roughly one-third higher than it was a year earlier, reflecting a dramatic 32%+ surge in values this past June alone. For a city long known for ultra-affordable real estate, crossing the $100K mark is a big deal. It signals a new chapter in Detroit’s ongoing comeback and has plenty of locals scratching their heads (and checking their home equity).

In this article, we’ll break down why Motor City home prices are rising so fast, what’s happening in different…

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Summer is in full swing in Metro Detroit, and the local restaurant scene is sizzling with activity. This July 2025 update comes with a hearty helping of new openings to tempt your taste buds, and a side of bittersweet closures marking the end of eras. Metro Detroiters are seeing beloved historic buildings reborn as pizzerias, tropical beach vibes popping up downtown, and family restaurateurs bringing fresh concepts to our suburbs. At the same time, a few longtime favorites have said their goodbyes, reminding everyone how ever-evolving and resilient our dining landscape truly is.

Whether you’re a lifelong Detroiter, a curious foodie, a family looking for the next dinner spot, or even a newcomer scoping out neighborhoods (and their eateries) before…

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Detroit’s soccer dreams are getting a major upgrade. Detroit City FC (DCFC), the city’s beloved grassroots soccer club, has officially tapped global design firm HOK to lead the design of its new 15,000-seat stadium in Southwest Detroit. This will be Detroit’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium, transforming the long-vacant former Southwest Detroit Hospital site at Michigan Avenue and 20th Street into a vibrant sports and community hub. The choice of HOK, a firm renowned for high-profile sports projects like Little Caesars Arena, has fans buzzing and real estate watchers taking note. More than just a new playing field, the project symbolizes a major investment in the city’s neighborhoods and a milestone in DCFC’s remarkable rise from a small club to a…

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Downtown Ferndale is about to get a smokin’ new addition, literally. A beloved local restaurateur is doubling down on her hometown’s culinary scene by opening a barbecue joint in the heart of the city. Dana Taucher, longtime Ferndale resident and owner of the popular Syndicate cocktail lounge, is bringing Smokehaus Ferndale to life in a familiar spot on Vester Street. This new barbecue restaurant will take over 177 Vester St., a venue locals might remember as the former M-Brew hangout (and more recently the short-lived Scout Vester bar). With Smokehaus set to fire up its smokers soon, Ferndale diners can look forward to a missing flavor finally being represented downtown: authentic barbecue.

Syndicate Ferndale, Facebook

A Hometown Entrepreneur…

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