The rent in the university housing and off campus is almost same. But if you live in housing then you are living in the proper Detroit. If you live in detroit you must be in your apartment by early evening. You know what I mean. I do not want to scare you but more than 90 percent of the Nepali students  live 15, 16 miles away from detroit which is very safe to live. If you have car then you will be fine to stay lil farther from detroit. It is upto you. What is your major? Are you TA/RA? Master/Ph.D? Just fell free if you need further info.