Moving to Detroit for Dental School (Southfield, Royal Oak: to rent, how much, buying a house)

[benigndmd]

I am moving to Detroit sometime in the next 6 months to start dental school at Detroit-Mercy. The school has moved to a new location:

2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48208-2576

What are the better areas to live in that won't be a killer drive for me to school everyday? I am looking to buy a house and it is just two of us, so it doesn't need to be crazy large. I prefer a nice neighborhood, preferably a fun area to live in, proximity to school, and safe. Thanks for any input. I am clueless when it comes to Detroit.

Form what I have gathered from some threads I read is that Royal Oak and Ferndale are good areas. I really want to avoid a killer commute though. 10-15 min to and from school would be ideal. Thanks in advance

[Coldjensens]

Dental school is two years is it not?

You should re-think buying a house unless you have the resources to keep it for a few years after you finish school. It is not
t unusual for houses to sit on the market for years. You can get great deals right now, but if you plan to sell soon, you may have problems.

Royal oak is probably your best bet. The Grosse Pointe(s) are nice, but not lively. More quiet and pleasant. If you want to get crazy look in Hamtrammack. Renting downtown may be an option.

[benigndmd]

Dental school is 4 years.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by benigndmd

I am moving to Detroit sometime in the next 6 months to start dental school at Detroit-Mercy. The school has moved to a new location:

2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48208-2576

What are the better areas to live in that won't be a killer drive for me to school everyday? I am looking to buy a house and it is just two of us, so it doesn't need to be crazy large. I prefer a nice neighborhood, preferably a fun area to live in, proximity to school, and safe. Thanks for any input. I am clueless when it comes to Detroit.

Form what I have gathered from some threads I read is that Royal Oak and Ferndale are good areas. I really want to avoid a killer commute though. 10-15 min to and from school would be ideal. Thanks in advance

You really need to come visit, as the criteria you mentioned are quite subjective (except for distance, but everything mentioned so far should be 20 minutes or less by car). One person might think Grosse Pointe is the bee's knees while another might think it's too pleasantville. One might think Ferndale is edgy and hip while another thinks it's tired and worn. Some people think Royal Oak is fun and family-friendly while another thinks it's too yuppy and anti-family. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Good luck.

[and the]

How much do you want to spend, either total or per month?

[Dexterguy]

If you are just going to school for 2 years you should probably just rent, unless you are SURE that you are going to stay in the area. If you want to rent Downtown would be a great option. And buying a house, small, and a nice neighborhood I would say Ferndale because it touches the city and it would not be a "killer" commute for you.

[The Icy River Vagabond]

Ferndale, Oak Park, Hazel park, South end of Southfield and the Area around U of D are all areas that you could look in to for easy commutes and decent area.. My choice would be Ferndale or Detroit, along the border with Ferndale. Very close to U of D and a lot of stuff to do. Ferndale has a nice downtown and you will also be close to downtown Royal Oak, you are also just a short drive from downtown Detroit.