DTW 717 is kind of a hidden gem in the system that is overlooked by a lot of people.
Generally speaking, the airport is well run, easy in, easy out, with few delays. Even in winter or TRW season, there's relatively little commotion. If you commute, there's a pretty good selection of direct flights to just about everywhere with less competition than ATL, albeit with less frequency. Hotels are plentiful, relatively inexpensive and all with free transportation.
On the 717 specifically, the trips are relatively better than ATL because of the somewhat longer block times. The 717 in particular is very junior for whatever reason, and you can probably get a line in short order. DTW 717 A runs very junior also, so you can do a quick upgrade if that floats your boat. For locals or close in commuters, the GS flow like water...all you have to do is turn the knob.
If you want to live near DTW, there are plenty of nice places if you're ok with the climate. Ann Arbor, like many college towns, is overpriced, but there are lots of other places, and outstate Michigan is really very nice.
Like NYC, if you are local, you can kill it with GS fairly reliably because of the ratio of locals to commuters.