blog - metro detroit

MDOT announced July 2025 road projects and lane closures across Michigan

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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Detroit Dining Update July 2025: 7 New Openings and 8 Closures to Know

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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Metro Detroit’s Best Elementary Schools: Expert Insights & Key Metrics

Whether you’re currently living in Metro Detroit or planning on moving to Metro Detroit, selecting the right elementary school is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your family. This comprehensive ranking of the top elementary schools in Metro Detroit draws on Niche.com’s data, key academic metrics, and real‑world parent feedback to spotlight the region’s best public and private campuses, from Cranbrook Schools and Detroit Country Day to Village Oaks and Deerfield Elementary. You’ll find insights on student‑teacher ratios, proficiency rates in reading and math, standout programs, and community culture so you can confidently weigh each school’s strengths. Use this guide to discover which Detroit‑area elementary schools offer the perfect…

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These Are the 10 Best Places to Live in Metro Detroit for Families, Jobs, and Lifestyle

Searching for the best places to live in Metro Detroit? Whether you’re moving with kids, downsizing, or just looking for a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle, finding the right place to call home is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Metro Detroit offers a wealth of great communities, from bustling suburban cities with job opportunities to quiet small towns full of charm. In fact, Niche, a trusted platform for data-driven insights on schools, towns, and colleges, releases annual rankings of the top places to live in the Detroit area, considering crucial factors like public school quality, crime rates, cost of living, employment, and family-friendly amenities. These rankings are based on the latest data from sources such as the U.S.…

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Detroit’s Credit Rating Hits 25-Year High: What It Means for the City’s Comeback

Detroit, MI – Is Detroit’s dramatic comeback story entering a new chapter? Many lifelong Detroiters and Metro area residents are buzzing this week after Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the city’s credit rating to Baa1, the highest tier Detroit has achieved since 1999. This milestone, essentially Detroit’s strongest financial rating in 25+ years, signals far more than just numbers on Wall Street. It represents a vote of confidence in the Motor City’s resurgence and hints at tangible benefits for local neighborhoods, families, and investors.

In a city that not long ago faced bankruptcy and “junk” credit status, the new rating has locals curious: What does this financial feat really mean for Detroit’s future and for those of us who live, work, and…

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WNBA Returns to Detroit: Tom Gores and Grant Hill Lead the Charge

For the first time in two decades, professional women’s basketball is coming home to the Motor City. The WNBA has officially awarded Detroit a new expansion franchise, ending a 20-year absence and igniting excitement across Metro Detroit. Backed by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and NBA legend Grant Hill among others, the city’s successful bid means a Detroit WNBA team will tip off in 2029. “Today marks the long-hoped-for return of the WNBA to a city with deep basketball roots and a championship tradition,” Gores said, calling it a huge win for Detroit and the league. For lifelong Detroiters, from die-hard Pistons fans to young athletes and families, this news feels like a homecoming that’s been a long time coming.

In this article, we’ll dive into…

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3 Unique Michigan Art Installations Named Among Coolest in the Country

Michigan just landed on a national list that every art lover should know about.

Rivers Art, a national art printing company, recently released its 2025 rankings of the Top 126 Coolest Art Installations in the U.S., celebrating the most obscure, creative, and locally loved public artworks across the country. The list is full of unexpected gems, and three unique installations in Michigan made the cut.

These are not your typical sculpture parks or museum exhibits. Instead, each site offers an immersive, community-rooted experience that reflects local culture, storytelling, and creative flair. Whether you’re planning a Michigan road trip or just looking to explore something new in your own backyard, these three stops belong on your radar.

Hamtramck…

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Where Are People Moving? Metro Detroit’s Hottest Growth Cities

Metro Detroit is turning a corner and gaining people, a trend that has locals buzzing. After decades of population loss and slow growth, new census data shows a modest but meaningful uptick in the region’s population, driven largely by thriving immigrant communities and new housing developments. In a tone of optimism and hometown pride, let’s dive into which Metro Detroit communities are growing the fastest, why it’s happening, and what it means for families and residents. This is the inside scoop from a lifelong Michigander’s perspective, offering friendly expert insights on where people are moving and why these areas are booming.

A Population Surge Fueled by Diversity and Immigration

Metro Detroit’s growth spurt is closely tied to its…

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Metro Detroit Home Prices Are Surging Again: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

Metro Detroit’s housing market is making headlines, and for once, it’s not the usual story of steady-as-she-goes growth. Home prices in the Motor City metro are soaring at one of the fastest rates in the nation. In fact, recent data showed Metro Detroit near the very top of U.S. cities for annual home price appreciation. Detroit even briefly held the #1 spot for fastest-rising prices late last year. This surge has caught the attention of families and industry experts alike. What’s fueling this sudden rise, and what does it mean for local buyers and sellers? Let’s break it down, with the friendly insight of a lifelong Michigander who’s seen a thing or two in this market.

Metro Detroit Home Prices Soar to the Top of the Charts

It might surprise…

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Detroit Ranked Among America’s Least Happy Cities: But There’s More to the Story

Detroit recently appeared near the bottom of a national “happiest cities” list, raising eyebrows and concerns. A 2024 study by personal finance site SmartAsset evaluated quality-of-life factors in 90 of America’s largest cities, and Detroit landed at No. 88 out of 90. By the numbers, the Motor City struggled on key metrics like income levels, health, and overall quality of life. Headlines made it sound like Detroit is one of the country’s unhappiest places. But talk to any lifelong Detroiter, and you’ll hear a more nuanced story. Does a low ranking mean Detroit is truly an unhappy city? Let’s unpack what the data says, why it might be misleading, and the real reasons locals still find plenty to love about the D.

The “Unhappiest Cities” Ranking:…

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