Steeltown

My wife and I are considering a move to Detroit from Pittsburgh. We will be in Detroit next week to scout it out, looking at various neighborhoods and getting a feel for the city. We're looking to buy a house in Detroit, though everyone tells us to bail on that idea and live in Livonia, Canton, Plymouth or Dearborn. Can anyone recommend neighborhoods with a sense of history, architecture that is relatively safe in Metro Detroit? Any help would be appreciated.