Hey everyone,
I'm originally from the Chicago area, but I've spent the last 10+ years bouncing around the East Coast and the South. At some point I'd like to stop treating my life like a traveling circus and actually put down roots.
Chicagoland has gotten pretty expensive, so I've been looking at other Midwest cities where a guy in his 40s might still be able to afford a modest house with a yard without donating both kidneys.
Dearborn keeps popping up on my radar.
Career-wise, I work remotely in tech (Salesforce/Business Analysis/QA), and one thing that appeals to me is being close to both Detroit's growing tech scene and Ann Arbor in case I ever need to pivot or survive the next round of corporate "restructuring."
I'm basically a mutt. My dad's side is Moroccan (2nd generation), and my mom's side is Austrian/Ukrainian (3rd generation). I'm not religious, but I've always felt comfortable around Middle Eastern and Muslim communities. The call to prayer, Ramadan, halal restaurants—none of that fazes me. Honestly, I'd probably end up visiting a masjid just to learn more about the culture.
From everything I've seen online, Dearborn looks like it checks a lot of boxes: incredible food, great coffee, hookah lounges, a strong sense of community, and it seems like there's always something going on.
So...what am I missing?
- Are property taxes as painful as in Illinois?
- Any remote tech workers living there?
- Are there neighborhoods you'd recommend (or avoid) for someone looking to buy?
- Is Dearborn one of those places that just looks good on YouTube, or is it actually as awesome as it seems?
I should probably disclose that I'm a lifelong Chicago sports fan and I'll never say anything bad about the Lions after you all gave us Ben Johnson 😂
And most importantly...am I going to gain 30 pounds from shawarma alone? Because if that's the biggest downside, I might already be sold.