Gross Pointe? (St. Clair Shores, St. Clair, Grosse Pointe: house, buy, depreciation)

[keithwand]

Originally Posted by us66

1. Maybe he saw the roaches in the Village area. I was out walking with my wife one night along Kercheval and must have seen fifty of them.
2. Maybe he's not a local. If so, he probably can't pronounce "Gratiot" or "Schoenherr" either.

Thats one big family reunion; 50 Roach family members in the Village?

[us66]

Nice comeback

No, really, little black creepy crawly things. Where's Roach Killer when you need him?

[desertdetroiter]

The Pointes (IMHO) don't have any areas worth worrying about. The areas that border Detroit seem to concern some folks, but i don't know why. I doubt that there is much negative spillover. Obviously, with declining real estate values, the area is more accessible and not nearly as exclusive as it once was, which means folks can live there that previously couldn't. That's probably the biggest concern. But so what? Every suburb has to deal with that issue.

[hockeywidow]

The Grosse Pointes are wonderful, safe communities (take a look at the crime data right here on City Data). Great deals to be had in any of the Pointes right now if you are looking to purchase a home.

[us66]

Originally Posted by desertdetroiter

The Pointes (IMHO) don't have any areas worth worrying about. The areas that border Detroit seem to concern some folks, but i don't know why. I doubt that there is much negative spillover. Obviously, with declining real estate values, the area is more accessible and not nearly as exclusive as it once was, which means folks can live there that previously couldn't. That's probably the biggest concern. But so what? Every suburb has to deal with that issue.

I was just talking about this with a Realtor the other day at an open house. I believe wholeheartedly price reinforces exclusivity. I said this and you could tell she had a lot to say, but they're not supposed to talk about these sorts of things with clients, I guess. It makes me wonder about the long-term desirability of the Pointes. Closer to the water will always be amazing, (proximity to the lake is also highly desirable in St. Clair Shores, too) but the more, for lack of a better word, plebian areas of the Pointes feel a lot less, um, special than they did just five years ago. These houses are worth half what they used to be. It's a regional problem, yes, which makes me wonder about the long-term viability of the metro and of its housing market...I don't think prices will come back to '05 levels for many years, and even then it'll probably take inflation to help. Oakland County feels like a much better investment overall.

I think the lack of great shopping is really killing the Pointes. There's some, sure, but they for the most part go to Birmingham, Somerset, or Partridge for a lot of things. There's not even a movie theatre there- the next closest ones are a second-run at Macomb Mall, the Bel-Air Center theatre at 8/Van Dyke in Detroit, or the Star Gratiot at 15 Mile, which feels creepy at night. There's only one fast food restaurant between them (though others are not far) and there's no Friday's, Outback, Famous Dave's sort of thing unless you go to Eastland (someplace they generally don't want to go) or out on I-94 a ways away. There's a bit of higher-end dining but not a whole lot. Grocery shopping is good, though, but the closest Nino Salvaggio's is small. Grosse Pointe is excellent for some things and sorely lacking in others. Birmingham, although the houses are worth somewhat more, is much better rounded.

[hockeywidow]

us66, just fyi -- in Grosse Pointe Park, we have a movie theater in Windmill Pointe Park. And not second-run movies

There will always be a east vs. west side debate, but most Grosse Pointers head downtown for fine dining (Opus One, Roast, et al), and there are many family-friendly restaurants like Burger Pointe, Village Grille, SideStreet Diner, and National Coney Island that replace the Outbacks, etc.

There is def. a lack of major retail, but there are smaller shops that replace that. And when need be, we head out to Somerset or Partridge Creek.

But if you like the small town feel, and the excellent schools, the Pointes are certainly an area to look at.

[desertdetroiter]

Originally Posted by us66

I was just talking about this with a Realtor the other day at an open house. I believe wholeheartedly price reinforces exclusivity. I said this and you could tell she had a lot to say, but they're not supposed to talk about these sorts of things with clients, I guess. It makes me wonder about the long-term desirability of the Pointes. Closer to the water will always be amazing, (proximity to the lake is also highly desirable in St. Clair Shores, too) but the more, for lack of a better word, plebian areas of the Pointes feel a lot less, um, special than they did just five years ago. These houses are worth half what they used to be. It's a regional problem, yes, which makes me wonder about the long-term viability of the metro and of its housing market...I don't think prices will come back to '05 levels for many years, and even then it'll probably take inflation to help. Oakland County feels like a much better investment overall.

I think the lack of great shopping is really killing the Pointes. There's some, sure, but they for the most part go to Birmingham, Somerset, or Partridge for a lot of things. There's not even a movie theatre there- the next closest ones are a second-run at Macomb Mall, the Bel-Air Center theatre at 8/Van Dyke in Detroit, or the Star Gratiot at 15 Mile, which feels creepy at night. There's only one fast food restaurant between them (though others are not far) and there's no Friday's, Outback, Famous Dave's sort of thing unless you go to Eastland (someplace they generally don't want to go) or out on I-94 a ways away. There's a bit of higher-end dining but not a whole lot. Grocery shopping is good, though, but the closest Nino Salvaggio's is small. Grosse Pointe is excellent for some things and sorely lacking in others. Birmingham, although the houses are worth somewhat more, is much better rounded.

You say 2005, but to me, the Pointes haven't had an exclusive feel for the better part of 20 years. Obviously the the frontage (or at least in walking distance to water) is exclusive and will always remain so just like you say. But the further inland you go, the more it feels just like any other suburb for the most part. Last time i took a drive through the area, i was astounded at how many properties were for sale there. And the prices were unbelievably cheap. I think the future of the real estate market there is pretty dim. I simply don't see how it can recover. I'd certainly agree that Oakland County probably has more appeal and long term viability, even though i wouldn't live there for all the gold in the world.

As for the shopping, maybe the Pointes aren't all that keen on having lots of shoppers in the area. Shoppers bring traffic, among other things. If they feel like they can get by without the extra sales tax revenue in the coffers, perhaps they'll continue to disregard it. That's only a theory.....i don't know for sure. But you're right...it's something they lack. But the area is still pretty charming. I like the feel of the place. It's suburbia, but you still feel as if you're near enough to the noise to have the big city feel.

[reconmark]

Originally Posted by us66

I was just talking about this with a Realtor the other day at an open house. I believe wholeheartedly price reinforces exclusivity. I said this and you could tell she had a lot to say, but they're not supposed to talk about these sorts of things with clients, I guess. It makes me wonder about the long-term desirability of the Pointes. Closer to the water will always be amazing, (proximity to the lake is also highly desirable in St. Clair Shores, too) but the more, for lack of a better word, plebian areas of the Pointes feel a lot less, um, special than they did just five years ago. These houses are worth half what they used to be. It's a regional problem, yes, which makes me wonder about the long-term viability of the metro and of its housing market...I don't think prices will come back to '05 levels for many years, and even then it'll probably take inflation to help. Oakland County feels like a much better investment overall.

I think the lack of great shopping is really killing the Pointes. There's some, sure, but they for the most part go to Birmingham, Somerset, or Partridge for a lot of things. There's not even a movie theatre there- the next closest ones are a second-run at Macomb Mall, the Bel-Air Center theatre at 8/Van Dyke in Detroit, or the Star Gratiot at 15 Mile, which feels creepy at night. There's only one fast food restaurant between them (though others are not far) and there's no Friday's, Outback, Famous Dave's sort of thing unless you go to Eastland (someplace they generally don't want to go) or out on I-94 a ways away. There's a bit of higher-end dining but not a whole lot. Grocery shopping is good, though, but the closest Nino Salvaggio's is small. Grosse Pointe is excellent for some things and sorely lacking in others. Birmingham, although the houses are worth somewhat more, is much better rounded.

FYI, there are first run movies at the Renaissance Center. Not many people know about them and they are empty at matinee times.

[us66]

Originally Posted by reconmark

FYI, there are first run movies at the Renaissance Center. Not many people know about them and they are empty at matinee times.

I didn't know that was still open. I don't hit the movie theatres too often.

[GreyDay]

Originally Posted by jeffpv

I have noticed very affordable housing in the Gross Pointes (Shores, Farms, Park). Are there any parts of the Gross Pointes to avoid? Does it get sketchier near I-94?
How about Harper Woods and St Clair Shores? Are they nice areas?
Thanks!

Is that anywhere near Grosse Pointe?