In a transformative shift, empty nesters are flocking to a once-gritty neighborhood in a rust belt city, eager to embark on a new chapter of their lives now that their children have left home.

Corktown, one of Detroit’s oldest neighborhoods, traces its roots back to the 1830s when it was founded by Irish immigrants. Over the course of nearly two centuries, it has evolved significantly, becoming a magnet for middle-class empty nesters seeking a fresh start.

Aaron Taylor, a luxury realtor with ExP, notes that many of his clients are parents eager to reinvigorate their lives in a vibrant, walkable city that boasts abundant entertainment options and proximity to downtown.

Situated next to downtown and near the riverfront, Corktown retains its historic charm with numerous vintage buildings. At the same time, it offers an increasing array of modern entertainment venues.

“It’s a completely different city than even three to four years ago,” Taylor remarked in an interview with the Daily Mail.

Investors have put millions into the neighborhood, alongside Indian Village and Midtown, to revitalize not just the subsections, but Detroit as a whole. 

‘The city dumped a lot of money into it,’ Taylor said. 

Corktown is one of Detroit’s oldest neighborhoods that was established by Irish immigrants in the 1830s

In the last few years, the once desolate neighborhood has become popular, especially amongst empty nesters

Since the city began changing its hardened reputation to draw people in, home vacancies have dropped from 50,000 to just around 900, Taylor said. 

Even in the last few years, Corktown has developed into a neighborhood with an active scene, especially after the Michigan Central Station was renovated, drawing in tons of tourists, Taylor and fellow realtor Stuart Harvin told the Daily Mail. 

Harvin, 62, grew up in Detroit and remembers making trips to the downtown area on weekends and finding it was like a ghost town as a child.  

‘There was nothing,’ he said. ‘There wasn’t anything to keep people in Detroit.’ 

The only reason people would be spotted in Corktown was to visit the old Tigers Stadium or the old Mercury Bar and Grill, both of which have since shut down.  

But the longtime Detroiter, who learned to drive in the neighborhood, said he saw Corktown begin to change around 2005 when Slows Bar BQ opened in the neighborhood and became a staple, even today. 

Since then, interest in Corktown has grown as new developments moved in, a strip of restaurants and bars began popping up along Michigan Avenue, and the Michigan station was renovated. 

‘In the last year or two, people started to move in,’ Harvin told Daily Mail. ‘As people see more things, they want to see what else is here.’ 

One of the draws of the neighborhood is the revitalization of the Michigan Central Station (pictured: before renovations) 

After renovations, it drew in many tourists and residents who wanted to see the new look 

‘It’s a completely different city than even three to four years ago,’ realtor Aaron Taylor (left) told Daily Mail. Fellow realtor Stuart Harvin, 62, (right) grew up in Detroit when Corktown felt like a ghost town

And as the streets began to fill with people, the safer it felt, and people began to make Corktown their forever home, the realtor said. 

‘People see it as a viable place,’ Harvin said. ‘It’s taken time.

‘If you build certain things, people come.’ 

It has art museums, the station, Roosevelt Park, Eastern Market, and access to the riverfront, causing hundreds to come to the neighborhood. 

Corktown is also within walking distance of downtown and has plenty of biking paths and a large park to enjoy. 

‘It’s a good middle ground,’ Taylor said. ‘It’s the middle of entertainment and the riverfront.’  

But despite the new developments, it still keeps its ‘old traditional feel,’ Taylor Daily Mail. 

‘They’re trying to keep the old feel.’ 

Harvin said as more bars and restaurants opened in the neighborhood, more people moved into the area

The average price of a home in the area is now $470,000. This is almost double of what it was before the area was regenerated 

The only negative of living in the neighborhood is the taxes, Taylor said. 

‘They’re relatively high in Corktown and Midtown,’ Taylor said. ‘That’s a really big hit.’ 

Home prices doubled after investors revitalized the area, Taylor added. 

The average home price in the area is $470,000, according to Zillow estimates. 

Nearly $70 per $1,000 of a home’s taxable value goes toward the Detroit City School District, which equates to around $7,700 for a home valued at around $228,500.