In Michigan, the cliche "the hustle and bustle of the city" should be rephrased "the hustle and bustle of the suburbs". No longer is our city of Detroit the hub of the state, or even a city that most Michiganders are proud of. Today, the city of Detroit, which was once a leading metropolis of the world, is taking a back seat to Michigan's suburbs in terms of residential, business and industrial growth.

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             Forty years ago, " I live in Detroit" was a statement that was honored by all citizens of the United States as Detroit was a prospering city with many job and residential opportunities. In the four decades proceeding the fifties, the city lost approximately two-fifths of its population. Many of the residents, as well as businesses and industries, moved to the developing suburbs; taking advantage of the cheaper land while avoiding the supposition made about an increase in crime and poverty due to minority groups locating to the inner-city. These days, if you say "I live in Detroit", assumptions are quickly made about your living status and state of mind. Although parts of Detroit still retain their original beauty, the inner city is seen as a crime-riddled, poverty-stricken and overall unfavorable place to reside.

             Suburbs: the word brings to mind many adjectives such as comfortable, quiet, safe and convenient. They are the havens of middle- to upper-class citizens. They produce less crime, good education and an over all sense of well-being. "Suburbs are definitely the place to invest in these days," states Timothy Findlay, an executive at K-mart World Headquarters in Troy. "I live here because I know my property value is going to increase, and I'm a hop, skip and a jump from where I work. In addition, suburbs have everything that you need to exist, minus the crime and poverty of Detroit." Findlay and a majority of suburbanites agree that Suburbs have a much more practical means of living versus the risks and possible dangers of city living.