15 Michigan Cities You Should Never Buy Property In

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Michigan has natural beauty, bustling college towns, and quaint lakeside retreats. That’s not the case for every corner of the Great Lakes State, though. In some areas you get more baggage than you bargained for. High crime rates and dwindling populations, struggling economies and limited job opportunities can all quickly pile up.

The truth of the matter is that a town’s charm does not always translate into a good investment. There are definitely some gems in Michigan, but there are some places that feel like you’re between a rock and a hard place. For those house hunting or looking for an investment property, tread carefully in these 15 places in Michigan where buying property might not be the best idea.

Detroit

It’s undeniable that Detroit has played a role in both history and culture, but a history of economic challenges has made it hard for the city to move forward. Some neighborhoods are coming back, but others are mired in high crime, abandoned homes, and broken roads. It’s best not to buy here unless you’re diving into an up and coming area with a clear redevelopment plan.

Flint

The Toughest Places To Live in America — Image Credit: FlintMichigan/Wikimedia Commons

The city of Flint’s water crisis brought it to the forefront of the national news for all the wrong reasons, and recovery has been slow. Flint has a struggling economy and according to to Census.gov, one of the highest poverty rates in the state; and besides the ongoing water quality concerns, plenty of other things need to be taken care of. Even though home prices may be low, the risks are lower than the savings. The affordability vs. safety trade off is too much for many buyers to swallow.

Pontiac

Since the downturn in the auto industry, Pontiac has seen its share of economic heartache. Crime is still a problem and the city’s infrastructure hasn’t recovered fully. While there are signs of promise for downtown Pontiac with revitalization projects, many neighborhoods remain quite challenged. The gamble of buying property here may never pay off, or take years to accomplish.

Saginaw

The 18 Most Dangerous Rural Ends in America — Image Credit: tpsdave/Wikimedia Commons

For years, Saginaw has been struggling with declining population and economic struggles. Vacant houses are on the rise, not a housing market exactly humming. Add to this crime and unemployment and it’s a tough sell for potential homeowners or investors.

Benton Harbor

The city of Benton Harbor has serious challenges. Families are deterred by both high poverty rates and underperforming schools. Some efforts are being made to revitalize the area, but it has been taking place slowly and Benton Harbor has been at the bottom of the list for many property buyers.

Highland Park

Highland Park lies nearby Detroit and like its neighbor, has economic struggles but with few redevelopment efforts. Its tax base has shrunk dramatically over the years and the city’s infrastructure is crumbling. Highland Park might be the sort of stable investment you need to run for the hills from.

Muskegon Heights

Muskegon Heights, where unemployment is more than twice the national average, is often overshadowed by its more prosperous neighbor, Muskegon. It is unfortunate, however, that the city faces high unemployment, few job opportunities, and a great deal of crime. The problem is, housing prices are low so the chances of seeing a return on your investment anytime soon is also low.

Inkster

Another Detroit-area city to have suffered years of economic decline is Inkster. It’s a hard place to live or invest in as public services are poor and crime rates are high. The city has a long way to go before homes in the area become attractive to buyers, as many of the homes have been left in disrepair.

Hamtramck

While Hamtramck might seem like an odd choice with its multicultural charm, don’t let appearances deceive you. They have a huge infrastructure problem, they have no resources to support the city. With property values slow to climb, many owners are feeling stuck.

River Rouge

Sitting on the Detroit River, River Rouge delivers waterfront views, but beyond that, many buyers aren’t sold. The city has always been slow to grow because of high crime rates and poor economic opportunities. The market is sluggish in housing and there is little promise of a turnaround.

Ecorse

You might be lured in by Ecorse’s small town feel, but when you dig a bit, you realize it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. According to Data USA, the growth rate of property value in the city is one of the lowest in Michigan, the city is economically stagnant, and the amenities are limited. For many, it’s a hard pass.

Lansing (Certain Areas)

There are strong points to Michigan’s capital, but some neighborhoods have seen better days. Potential buyers think twice to invest because some parts of Lansing have high crime rates. The city as a whole has potential, but it’s important to do your homework on individual areas before putting pen to paper.

Jackson

Historically rich, Jackson is also stuck in economic stagnation and lacking in job opportunities. Some parts of the city still have very high crime rates and are unattractive to families and investors. Unless there’s a major change, Jackson could continue to be a tough sell.

Battle Creek

Battle Creek is known as the “Cereal City,” but its housing market tells a different story. The city is hard to court new investors, or new residents, due to high poverty rates and a struggling economy. That’s an area where the affordable prices come tagged with too many strings attached.

Port Huron

Being on the Canadian border has provided some scenic views, but the local economy has been hit hard over the years. Housing market sluggish and job opportunities are limited. It could sound attractive to some as a quiet retreat, but many people looking to buy a home here will find the risks outweigh the rewards.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.