There are beautiful, potentially undervalued areas in Detroit. If you're optimistic about the city's prospects, it would make sense to concentrate on the region's favored quarter, which is roughly North/Northwest.
This slice of Detroit has lots of formerly medium-to-high end neighborhoods that have languished for 50 years. There are no factories, giant freeways or noxious uses. The neighborhoods are rundown but have pretty good bones. The best suburbs are minutes away. It's generally the old Jewish-WASP corridor, though African American since the 70's.
Bagley Neighborhood: Used to be Jewish, still middle class black, still looks pretty good. Terrible schools, limited retail and some safety issues, though-
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4253...7i16384!8i8192
Russell Woods: Similar to Bagley, but cheaper, rougher, and Jewish flight was 20 years earlier. Still has great bones and closer to downtown. Very close to crack central in the 80s-90s (Dexter Davison) but that area is bombed out now and calmer. Probably better upside than Bagley-
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3826...7i16384!8i8192
I could see these areas gentrifying, maybe becoming gayborhoods or popular for childless couples. But I think it's a stretch to think that professionals with kids will move here anytime soon. Metro Detroit has endless spacious brick home neighborhoods (thanks to high mid 20th century salaries) in established suburbs without school or safety concerns.