Category: Travel

Home, Moving with Children, Travel

5 Reasons to Move to Detroit

Erin Sluka
Photo by Kahari king on Unsplash

While Detroit has taken a lot of abuse over the years, it’s really a cool city with plenty of reasons to move there. After all, it is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, was the birthplace of Alice Cooper and many other rockers, and home to some great sports teams too. Of course, that’s probably not enough to make you consider a move, but these five other reasons are likely to get you looking through Detroit real estate.

You’ll Be Close to Much of Michigan’s Best

Living in Detroit you’ll be ideally situated for exploring the rest of what the state has to offer, and there’s a long list. There are many beautiful spots to vacation or enjoy day trips within just a short distance, including national parks, islands, lakes, and charming college towns. Even right in the city, there are lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors from the Riverwalk to Palmer Park, Chandler Park and Belle Isle.

Detroit has a cost of living that’s below the national average, in fact, the median home price in this city is just $53,400, significantly lower than the U.S. median home price of over $310,000. But not only will you pay a lot less for a house here; food and healthcare are cheaper too. 

Photo by Austin Park on Unsplash

The Jobs

Within the last few years, there’s been a 50% increase in the number of Detroit-based companies. If you’re looking for a tech job in particular, southeastern Michigan is a great place to be with more tech-related jobs than anywhere else in the Midwest region of the country. The startup community is especially booming, which means you’re unlikely to run out of career moves anytime soon. 

One recent survey found that nearly half of the entrepreneurs in the city noted that they were “very likely” to recommend opening up a business here too, which means that if you’re looking to start your own business, moving here might be the perfect opportunity.

You Won’t Always Be Stuck Behind the Wheel

While commuting can take a big chunk out of your personal time not to mention being expensive, in Detroit you won’t always have to be behind the wheel. You’ll have many options for getting around, with 2,300 miles of bike lanes, routes and pathways along with an increasingly expanding transit system. Even if you do choose to drive, you’ll probably spend less time doing it with Detroit commuters spending an average of just 23 minutes behind the wheel to get to work, 11% less than the national average. In fact, among the country’s 15 biggest metro areas, drivers in Detroit spend the least amount of time in traffic.

There are Many Neighborhoods to Choose From

Detroit is huge – Manhattan, Boston and San Francisco could all fit into its boundaries with miles to spare. The Villages, Midtown, Jefferson East, Eastern Market are just a few that you’ll have to choose from. Before you decide to make your move you’ll want to explore many of them to find out which one is the right fit – there’s bound to be at least one that fits your particular needs and wants.

2019 Holidays, Travel

Snowland Returns to Great Wolf Lodge for the Holidays – Until January 5

Erin Sluka

It’s back! How fun would Christmas morning be if the kids were told they are going to Great Wolf Lodge for the Holidays or after?

Until January 5th you can experience Snowland. During this event your family gets to experience daily snow showers in the Grand Lobby, visits from Santa and a variety of festive seasonal activities. 

Wait! Here is a breakdown of extra activities you may find at your Great Wolf Lodge location:

  • Hot Cocoa Bar 
  • Frosty Fest Family Dance Party 
  • Polar Bear Plunge
  • Holiday-inspired Yoga Tails called ’Twas the Morning Before Snowland

Also, Great Wolf Lodge is partnering with Make-A-Wish® on a special holiday-themed wolf ear promotion. Great Wolf Lodge will sell festive Santa Hat Wolf Ears for $8.99 at the front desk and Buckhorn retail outlet, with $2 from each sale being donated to Make-A-Wish (while supplies last or until Jan 5, 2020)

Visit Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound (Wa. state ) or your local Great Wolf Lodge.

2019 Holidays, Travel

New Travel Accessory – The Airhook 2.0

Erin Sluka

Comment: I was sent product for this feature. All opinions are 100% my own. There may be affiliate links within this post as well that could result in compensation for Parenting Healthy.

It’s the 2019’s innovation award for best design of a travel accessory and design. The Airhook 2.0 finally allows you to keep your device at eye level while traveling and it is small enough to pack away in a bag when not traveling.

The Airhook 2.0 is a drink holder and a secure mount for an electronics device. On a plane the Airhook attaches securely to the pull down table in front of you. In a car, the (add-on) Airhook Crossbar fits between the arms of the headrest in front of you to attach the Airhook to for use.

Perhaps hard to see in my car lighting, but there is a plate holding that water bottle bottom. You can fit virtually any size cup/bottle.

That tether reaches over the top of your device to keep it from tipping your device out of the rest. The crossbar at the headrest just pulls to the length needed then locks down. I have not had any slippage or detachment. Within the hook assembly are knobs to tighten the device or arms in place.

The Airhook 2.0 is a great gift idea for any traveler. I can imagine how convenient this is on the planes that don’t yet have screens built in and even when they do you can’t get your books or downloads so having your own device in flight is much more entertaining. It also makes a great gift for families traveling with children in the car often.