OT: Best Suburban SE Michigan Neighborhoods

Submitted by GoBlueUSMC on

Long time stalker, few time poster seeking help.

My wife and I are are potentially moving back to SE Michigan (I'd be working around Dearborn) sometime in the next year.  We're trying to get a feel for the best neighborhoods for young professionals.  We've both got degrees from UofM and trying to find somewhere with people with our same age/interests.

Looking for good schools, nice neighborhoods, low crime, relaxed atmosphere.  Probably nothing about 200k or so in terms of pricing if that helps with suggestions.

Edit: My wife and I are in our late 20's.  We enjoy nice restaurants, walking our puppy, gardening.

I've heard good things about:

Royal Oak

Grosse Point (Woods,Farms, etc)

Farmington Township

 

Any first hand knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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uminks

May 9th, 2015 at 7:34 PM ^

They use to be rural areas back in the 60s and 70s. Now they're basically the new northwest suburbs of Detroit. A lot of newer subdivisions. A lot recreational parks and state land. A lot of new shopping, not far from the more establised suburbs. Only a 30 to 40 minute drive from A^2.

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KO Stradivarius

May 10th, 2015 at 9:35 PM ^

This comment makes no sense, sorry.  If you mean that a private driveway is to be avoided in Michigan because we have bad winters, then point taken.  Then he could always avoid buying a house with one.  You can say this about any smaller, more rural-ish town with some larger lots, including Dundee that you mentioned.  So you are in danger of ruling out a lot of places.  I'm gonna leave it there before I get myself any more pissed off addressing this ridiculous statement...  

I live in a subdivision in Saline, and I love it here.  With a nice short, paved driveway...There are homes in all price ranges here, but many of the newer ones are upscale.  I guess that somewhere around Saline there is a nice $500-$700k home on a 1-acre lot that has, gasp... a private driveway!  Some homeowners may even like them.  See, I cannot let it go...   

I work in Dearborn and so do both of my neighbors.  I know there are many others here in town that do as well, I see them around.  It's not a short commute (40 min) but you do what it takes.  So it was not a bad choice for me.

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Qmatic

May 9th, 2015 at 8:08 PM ^

As much as I love my hometown of Warren, I'd advise you to avoid it along with the other east suburbs.
Like mentioned several times, Royal Oak area is good. Pleasant Ridge and Berkley are around RO and are nice, safe cities. If you head north you have Birmingham which is a great city, but pretty high housing prices.

If you head west, Livonia, Novi, and Farmington are good places to live/raise a family.



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WolverineLake

May 9th, 2015 at 8:18 PM ^

I like where I live

it is a 45 minute drive from a2. Dearborn and warren so it is somewhat centrally located as far as potential job options are concerned. Great schools & crime is generally limited to jerks on jet skis. We have a garden. It's pretty sweet.

Also, feels a little like being up north.



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jdon

May 9th, 2015 at 8:55 PM ^

Downriver baby!

 

Any town out of Taylor, Southgate, Woodhaven, Gibraltar, Lincoln Park... any town and you will win.

If you like jorts you are a two time winner!

jdon

 

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MechEng97

May 9th, 2015 at 9:31 PM ^

I've worked in Dearborn for 15 years. I currently live in Northville and love it, but it would be tough for $200k. It more family orientated anyway..I've lived in Dearborn, Canton, Livonia before and I'd recommend Plymouth. The downtown is great with lots going on, a good night life and the highway access is easy to Dearborn and most importantly Ann Arbor. I like being 20 min from A^2. Take a look and check it out before deciding..many options for your drive into Dearborn as well which is key with traffic.

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saveferris

May 9th, 2015 at 9:33 PM ^

My wife and I have settled in Rochester Hills and love it. Downtown Rochester is great, but commuting to Dearborn would not be desirable. My cousin lives in Grosse Pointe Woods and he and his wife love it there. It's a nice area, especially if older homes with lots of character are your thing

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jabberwock

May 9th, 2015 at 9:35 PM ^

It certainly doesn't have the hipster density of a royal oak, but it's still very charming, great schools, close to AA and (moderateley) close to commute to Dearborn.

Land is still affordable out here, but yeah, it's very outdoor oriented; although I'd hardly use that as a negative like other posters.

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wolverinebutt

May 9th, 2015 at 9:47 PM ^

I like Royal Oak and lived there for 25 years(Troy now), but I think it is over priced now.   Nice downtown and most houses have very small yards.

Grosse Pointes are all nice.  Very small yards again.    

West Livonia might be good for your price range and you can get a decent yard for gardening if you look for the yard part.  Its a solid community at a decent costs, but you won't get the downtown young people thing.

I've found with houses you won't find exactly what ya want.  What you find you will be happy with.  Good Luck!!!  

Note - I think I-96 is mean out past Livonia for commuting.  If you have time drive rush hour in the areas that interest you.   

.  

 

  

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MaximusBlue

May 9th, 2015 at 10:33 PM ^

I've been down south the past 10 years and I'm also planning a move back home with the fam next year. My standards are a little lower so I'd live in Romulus,Wayne,Westland,Belleville,ect. Don't think I could deal with Taylor or Ypsilanti, and definitely wouldn't do Inkster. Canton or Ann Arbor would be heaven.

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wolverinebutt

May 9th, 2015 at 11:09 PM ^

I also grew up in Romulus.  Moved out 39 years ago.    

I would stay away from Wayne.  Belleville might be a better choice.  Romulus over by Kelsey Hayes, on New Boston border or right downtown seem to be the best of Rom-Town in my humble opinion.  

I'm a Kelsey Hayes area guy - Cogswell.     

   

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ballertim87

May 9th, 2015 at 11:15 PM ^

Maybe your best option is Dearborn! Check out the neighborhoods S of Ford Rd, N of Mich Ave, E of Beech Daly, W of Brady St. Take a 20 min drive around this area and you won't be disappointed. A lot of beautiful houses. Barely any commute and everything you are looking for, and you won't be too far from A2, very quick drives to Detroit, Plymouth, Metro Airport.



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mabeaton

May 9th, 2015 at 11:23 PM ^

I work in Dearborn and live in Grosse Pointe Woods.  We do love it here. Great schools, homes with character, great City Park on water with a crazy pool.  There are also plenty of places to eat and drink.  If you love the water, hang out at the marina bars and take in the Nautical Mile in St. Clair Shores (9 mile and Jefferson).  And, you can do running and biking along Lakeshore.  And, the schools are great.  Yes, You can get the house you want for $180,000 or less.  1500 sq feet, 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths.  Look in the area just east of I-94,  west of Mack, South of Vernier, North of Moross.  Just be careful to avoid Harper Woods (unless you want the same house for a lot lower price . . . those make great rental properties but not so if you plan to own a home).  And, keep in touch as I might put my house for rent as I'm in a process to potentially move to Seattle.  Good Luck.

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TheBorg

May 9th, 2015 at 11:56 PM ^

It has:

1) the donwntown you're seeking

2) relative close proximity to the Dearborn area

3) a diverse housing market with homes in your price range

4) good schools

5) located close to both Canton and Northville and is the proverbial "hop, skip and a jump" to Ann Arbor

6) 20 minutes (average) to Metro Aiport

7) a nationally renown ice sculpting show/festival every January

Hope this helps and best wishes in finding the community that serves you two best.

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BigOzzy86

May 10th, 2015 at 12:36 AM ^

It's right on the river...  has a park named after a congressman.. and you can take W. Outer Drive to work everyday in Dearborn.    Only downside is no Macy's department store or self serve dog wash salon.....    Good luck champ!!

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megaswami

May 10th, 2015 at 7:23 AM ^

Trenton is worth a look. Great city services, neighborhoods are nice, houses available at various price points, schools rank in the top 5 in Wayne County, crime rate is amongst the 10 lowest in the state, your near the water, ton of restaurants available in surrounding communities, quiet and laid back. Meets most of your criteria.

Moved to Trenton about 7 years ago, started a family, and work nearby. Couldn't be happier.



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Fire The Boosters

May 10th, 2015 at 7:49 AM ^

Shelby, Macomb, and Rochester. Rochester or Oakland county in general has higher taxes so you can get more home for your dollars in Shelby or Macomb. These locations are a little further east but get you close to Lake St. Clair if you are interested in boating a big lake.

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Zoltanrules

May 10th, 2015 at 8:41 AM ^

Is probably a garage or really Ypsi. GPW while nice would be too long commute for my liking. Royal Oak is probably a good call based on your criteria. Good luck.

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MGoCookie

May 10th, 2015 at 9:06 AM ^

Rent something you can afford, save money, and learn more about the neighborhoods. You may not be in this job anymore by the time schools are an issue, and schools can change quickly over the course of 5-10 years. If you must buy now, prioritize what will improve your quality of life now (short and easy commute, job opportunities for your wife, the type of entertainment options that you enjoy) over schools. That being said, I really like Plymouth.

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Average Father

May 10th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^

You can find nice homes in Wixom, Commerce, Walled Lake and the Walled Lake Consolidated schools have been solid for a long time. A few minutes from Novi shopping, 35-40 minutes from Ann Arbor, same from Detroit. Quiet and many lakes to choose from. Lived in the area for 5 years. No Ragrets, not even one letter.

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Helloheisman

May 10th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^

I live in Whitmore Lake. Not a ton to do in town other than outdoors stuff and the lake in the summer. I enjoy how quiet it is here and that's not for everyone. But, we are only 10-15 mins from downtown A2 10 mins from quite a bit to do in Brighton. Schools are pretty decent with new buildings (elementary and high school) and the town offers newer homes at a good value and decently low taxes for washtenaw county. Hope this helps.

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cp4three2

May 10th, 2015 at 10:53 AM ^

Ferndale. My wife and I loved it there for a year before going to DC, if you like Ann Arbor, it's like Ann Arbor east. It's got some cool restaurants, it's close to the city, but you can also hop on 696 and be anywhere in 30 mins



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karpodiem

May 10th, 2015 at 2:55 PM ^

On the road and with family today so I will have to re-visit this in a follow up post, but Troy is a great place to live.

Blah blah blah, go away hipers with your 'sterile suburban enviroment' - Troy is safe (one of the safest cities in the country), has some of the best  high schools in Michigan (second only to the International Academy), is diverse (over 50 languages spoken by families in Troy), and financially healthy.

Birmingham is 10 minutes away (I'm at 18 and Crooks), Ferndale is 20 min down Woodward, and Detroit is 25 minutes away (down 75) with no traffic. Troy intra-city traffic is reasonable, the roads could use some work but they are putting $4 million into some repairs this summer.

With some of those other cities mentioned above, they are inundated with traffic during the commute home, and depending how far you are from the downtown area, you get a lot of cross town traffic coming into your city. Clawson//Rochester/Rochester Hills are good alternatives.

Troy is a great place to live! Let me know if you have any questions. 

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