Detroit suburb to live in, in Det. area Feb 2012 (Warren: apartment, rental market)

[kathleen48910]

We are currently in Lansing, (for MSU and the Beekman Center access) My hubby is about to finish school...finally with a computer science degree. We have been here almost 2 years - don't like it, and there's not alot of work here. We are originally from Knoxville TN, so it's a bit of a different world here. Hubby has been offered a pretty good job upon completion in Warren MI. Pay is starting at 35,000 - and I make 20,000 doing med. billing at home so where I live is not of importance....that said I am looking for info on surrounding areas of Detroit that we can comfortably afford, he can easily get to work in, that are safe and have good schools, and in a district with a good autism program, but also a school that will meet my daughters needs. She will be a freshman next year and is in several honors classes. We are planning on renting for awhile at least, and would like a 3 bedroom for under $1000 a month.

I don't know anything about the area really - we've been to Detroit a few times for sightseeing etc, and drove around his job offering in Warren but that's about it. I'm not totally counting out Warren but what I've seen isn't exactly my idea. We do want a diverse school district, and different opportunities that city schools often provide but the crime just seems out of control, and honestly I don't know where to begin. There's a million cities on the map and I have no ideas so far....ANY help would be greatly appreciated.

[animatedmartian]

Warren has a good school district and my younger brother is autistic and they do very well with him. They're recently had to cut some extra curricular activities due to the economy, but over all I think it's still a great school district.

Usually it's the south side of Warren (I-696) where the crime might be a problem, although I haven't heard of it being terribly high. It's lower income and mainly industrial. The north side of Warren is where you'll find more middle class suburbia.

Farther north is Sterling Heights which has more middle class and upscale homes the farther north you go. Both cities share the same school districts, and within Macomb county, you can chose any district to send your kids if you want. Obviously, if you live outside the district you send your kids to, they won't get busing.

A 3 bedroom house under $1000 is a hard bargain in SE Michigan. Especially in a decent area. You'll have to chose between looking at slightly higher rents ($1000-$1500) or living in a not-so perfect area (or at the very least a very small house). On the plus side, in Macomb county, you'll still have the choice of school districts.

Out of curiosity, which major crossroads is your husband's future job on? Warren is just slightly smaller in size than Lansing and the north and south side are pretty diverse from one another.

[MIEng]

Be aware that there are like 4 different school districts within Warren limits (At least those are the ones I'm aware of). Warren Consolidated and Warren Woods are ok or average, the other ones I do not recommend and they are located towards the south of the city. As mentioned above south of 696 is where most of the crime is. You can find very nice residential areas between 12 mile and 13 mile but the $1000 rent for a 3 bed is going to be very difficult. Think more around $1200 in that area.
Outside of Warren, there is also Troy and Sterling Heights both very solid middle class with Troy been more upscale on the northwest corner. But a $1000 rent for a 3 bed is going to be even tougher. The Troy school district is one of the best in the state and the northern part of Sterling Heights its on the Utica CS which is the best in Macomb. The south of Sterling Heights shares Warren Con with Warren.
Another possibility is St Claire Shores to the east but I don't know much about the typical rental market there.

[srelliott83]

I wouldn't recommend Warren unless you are on the northern end. Cities that I would personally recommend in the area:

Royal Oak
Clawson
Berkley
Troy
Sterling Heights
Shelby Township
Rochester

[DaniellaG]

3 bedrooms for 1000 is going to be hard to find in a good school system. If that is the budget could you do 2 bedroom? If so and schools are important I would look at Birmingham district. Troy also I heard is good. Make sure when you rent a place though you confirm the school district. Just because you live in a city does not mean you will go to that district.

[MaxSeven]

I'd take a look in Farmington or Farmington Hills, or possibly West Bloomfield. You might find a rental within your budget.

Warren, Sterling heights (except on the North end), Roseville and Madison Heights are sort of boring with respect to terrain and architecture - very flat and lots of similar looking homes/lots.

[RFannon]

I live in a very affordable bungalow with a great yard in Grosse Pointe for that price. People don't realize how many different home and apartment options there are here. My kids still go to the same great schools and parks, and the city services are amazing. Check out our student services department for all the opportunities for students with autism in our schools [URL="http://www.gpschools.org"]www.gpschools.org[/URL]. There are plenty of restaurants, and it's 15 minutes to any sporting event or concert downtown. I didn't grow up here but I love it.