McDowell

With rows of midcentury homes surrounding a sprawling local park and public school, McDowell offers community conveniences in the western suburbs of Detroit. It’s just north of the up-and-coming Bagley district and a few miles from Sinai-Grace Hospital, one of the largest medical centers in the city. “Bagley is where everyone wants to be right now. It’s like when you throw a stone in a pond and the water ripples outward. The stone hit Bagley and everything around it is going up in value as a result, including McDowell” says Realtor David Rabior of Clyde Realty, who has worked all over the city since 2009.

The neighborhood features rows and rows of homes on suburban streets with square, landscaped lawns and mature trees poking out from front and back yards. There are a range of home styles here, most of which date back to the 1940s and 50s, including spacious brick Colonial Revival homes, cozy bungalows and some Tudor-inspired homes with steep-pitched rooftops, half-timbering and asymmetrical designs. Floorplans are typically less than 1,000 square feet for bungalows, while Colonial Revival styles often hover around 2,000 square feet. Lot sizes are on the smaller side, around 5,000 square feet, but you’ll still have plenty of room for landscaping and gardening. Homes list for as little as $20,000 for those in need of major improvements, while well-maintained and renovated homes can sell for more than $150,000.

At the heart of the neighborhood, residents can walk, bike or drive to Van Antwerp Park, a sprawling green space where people gather to play tennis and basketball or take their kids to the playground. It’s also just a short trek to smaller community parks like nearby Gemeiner Park, where locals enjoy baseball diamonds and grassy lawns for picnicking. Gemeiner Park is also home to the Tindal Activity Center, which has recreation classes and indoor activities, offering a safe space for neighborhood kids to hang out with their friends. Alfonso Wells Memorial Playground is also close by and features an array of sport courts, walking paths and colorful play structures. The historic Birwood Wall, a local landmark, stretches across the park, serving as a stark reminder of the history of racial segregation and redlining practices that once took place in the city.

Students can attend Bates Academy, a K-8 public school at the center of the neighborhood that shares a boundary with Van Antwerp Park. The school has a B-minus rating from Niche and offers plenty of extracurricular activities. Whether it’s orchestra, robotics, marching band or journalism, students will probably find a club or elective class to suit their interests. Upperclassmen attend nearby Mumford High School, which holds a C rating from Niche. For an alternative, students might also consider MacDowell Preparatory Academy, a K-8 public charter school.

Several shops and restaurants can be found close to home on 7 Mile Road, which borders the southern end of McDowell. “This area offers suburban living in the city with the ability to walk to shops and businesses. That’s something Detroit couldn’t offer for decades until recently. That's begun to change and it's one of the reasons this area has become more popular over the last few years,” Rabior says. Motor City Soul Food is the perfect place for a hearty plate of fried pork chops, collard greens and mac and cheese, while those in the mood for beef short ribs might want to make a pit stop at BBQ Central. Early risers can stop by Ooh Wee Coffee, a local cafe that serves pastries and espresso drinks. For everyday essentials, there’s a Family Dollar and a Rite Aid nearby, but residents will have to hop in the car and drive to get to big box stores and major grocery chains like Walmart, Home Depot, Kroger, Meijer and Target.

The neighborhood’s proximity to major roadways and access to local bus stops makes it easy to get around. Locals can easily hop on nearby U.S. Route 10 to make the 13-mile journey to the city's vibrant downtown. With midcentury homes and walkability to local parks and schools, McDowell is an easy choice in west Detroit.

Written By

Daniel Berti

Photography Contributed By

Naleli Murry

Video By

Paris Lape