How Bad Was Detroit In The 80s

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Motor City Mayhem: How Rad Did Detroit Get in the 80s? (Spoiler Alert: Not That Rad)

Ah, the 1980s. A decade of neon, big hair, and questionable fashion choices. But for Detroit, the 80s were less "Miami Vice" and more "Mad Max: Fury Road," minus the cool cars. Buckle up, because we're about to take a hilarious (or maybe tear-jerking, we haven't decided yet) trip down memory lane to a time when Detroit hit a bit of a speed bump.

How Bad Was Detroit In The 80s
How Bad Was Detroit In The 80s

The Big Three Shrunk to, Well, Not Quite Two

Remember those iconic American muscle cars that roared down Woodward Avenue? Yeah, about that. The Japanese auto industry (insert Tokyo Drift music here) was saying "sayonara" to American dominance. Factory closures became a common sight, and the city's tax base took a nosedive faster than a parachute with a hole in it.

Fun Fact: During this time, Detroit somehow managed to become the "Arson Capital of America." Not exactly a trophy you want on the mantle.

Crime Time: From Disco to Disorder

The economic downturn wasn't the only party crasher. Crime rates skyrocketed, with some neighborhoods looking like they were extras in a post-apocalyptic film. Devil's Night, the night before Halloween, became infamous for residents torching abandoned buildings (arson is a bad habit, folks). We're pretty sure this wasn't what Michael Myers had in mind.

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But Hey, There Were Perks, Right?

Okay, maybe not exactly "perks," but there were some unintended consequences of Detroit's struggles. Real estate prices went into freefall. Think "buying a mansion for the price of a shoebox." Also, parking became a breeze. No more circling the block for 20 minutes – just pull up anywhere and voila, instant parking spot! (Although, with fewer cars on the road, that wasn't exactly surprising.)

So, How Bad Was It Really?

Detroit in the 80s was a rough ride. But hey, the city's got a fighting spirit, and it's slowly coming back. There's a renewed focus on art, entrepreneurship, and community building.

Still curious? We got you covered!

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How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse in 1980s Detroit?

Easy! Most of the abandoned buildings were already halfway there.

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How to Throw the Best Devil's Night Party (Without Burning Anything Down)?

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Board games, potlucks, spooky movie marathons – anything but setting fires!

How to Find a Dirt-Cheap Mansion in Detroit (Assuming You Want To)?

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Time travel to the 1980s is not an option (yet), so this one's a bit tricky.

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How to Tell if You're Having a Nightmare or Just Flashbacks to 1980s Detroit?

If you wake up sweating and surrounded by abandoned factories, it's probably a flashback.

How to Help Rebuild Detroit?

Support local businesses, volunteer your time, or just spread the word about the city's awesome comeback story!

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wayne.eduhttps://www.wayne.edu
umich.eduhttps://www.umich.edu
clickondetroit.comhttps://www.clickondetroit.com
detroitpubliclibrary.orghttps://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org
weather.govhttps://www.weather.gov/dtx

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