Redford? (Detroit, Livonia, Taylor: section 8, crime, new home)

[Juligan]

What you can tell me about Redford? Would one want to live there?

TIA

[RopeS]

Generally speaking, Redford is not an area where one would WANT to live. It's mainly viewed as a lower income/higher crime city, although there are some good areas of it. I would look elswhere though if you can afford it.

[and the]

Inner ring suburb of Detroit with no "downtown" to speak of. I'd avoid it.

[Northman]

My mom grew up there, and we spent a lot of time there as kids, but that was in the 50's, 60's and 70's when Redford was suburbia, U.S.A. I've only passed through there a few times since then, and most of the comments I hear about Redford now are in line with the ones in the posts above.

[ChoochMI]

Its wierd, Redford has a lot of dirt roads but is in an urban area.

Working class white suburb. eh, what can I say?

[huckster]

There are two Redfords , Redford and Redford Township.
You are recieving two different descriptions, one good and one bad,
Clarify.

Originally Posted by Juligan

What you can tell me about Redford? Would one want to live there?

TIA

[zthatzmanz28]

Originally Posted by huckster

There are two Redfords , Redford and Redford Township.
You are recieving two different descriptions, one good and one bad,
Clarify.

and which is which? Having lived here for 6 years, my wife and I love it. There are few if any dirt roads since ex-supervisor Handy and some state officials had them ashphalted.

We are in Redford Township--I suppose some would say the "bad" or poor area? Those are folks who probably never lived here on the "other side of the tracks" or believe if you do not live in a 4,000 sq. ft. house then living is poor?

Aside from our one defective neighbor, our neighborhood is just what we expected when we moved in. Mostly quiet--there are dogs but we have two as well--and we look out for each other.

I lived in Taylor-tucky until moving here and I didn't even know my neighbors or if the house across the street was even occupied. Several neighbors had traffic in and out of the house 24/7. I lived in a 1600 sq ft house sitting on 1 3/4 acres so it wasn't section 8 housing.

The police department here is ok. Like most places there are some real jerks that wear the uniform, but there are some who are genuinely involved in the community.

There is a real difference between SOUTH Redford (which is referred to as JUST Redford) and North Redford (this is township or as the schools are known REDFORD UNION)

I am not sure, but judging by the housing and the fact that the streets on my side were dirt until 3 years ago, this area is the older part and the south side is newer with brick ranches as opposed to the township side that has wood frame bungalows and cape cods, Though we know quite a few people on the south side who are just super people--not sure how the attitudes of the school aged kids are..

The downtown area around Five Mile and Beech Daly is taking shape. When we first moved in there wasn't really a central downtown other than where the Township hall and police department were.

Redford Grill is doing well. Though is is a greasy-spoon kind of place, it is local and very friendly. John the owner is just one of the neighbors. Better than driving to Livonia (wonder bread capital of the planet) for franchised pasta or beef)

We have a great out door venue were the old library was. Hopefully the new supervisor will work to utilize it for some summer activities!

The new library on Six mile just east of Beech Daly is wonderful. They still need some books, but it has reading programs / clubs for kids and computer acess for internet.

We also have (had?) one of the best fourth of July celebrations in the downriver area. Hopefully that too will continue?

Bell creek is an underutilized jewel and I personally hope the bicycle / jogging trail planned from Lola Park (just down the street from me 1 block) to Bell Creek is still on the agenda.

IN short, we love everything about Redford--everytime we go to Taylor, Garden City, Livonia, Northville--we are just amazed at the people and the traffic they put up with. We just cut across Plymouth, or Beech or even another mile road (6 or 7 Mile) and we quickly are able to get to where ever we need to go.

If only Redford wasn't in Michigan...We only hope that when we leave (and we will within the next 3 months because of employment) that we find a town / city / community that is similair to Redford.

The only other option to Redford is wanting a new home, 2,000+ sq. ft. and traffic. everything else IMHO is better here.

Oh, and the schools...Though I have not been in the schools, my wife did substitute teach there and our grandchildren (yes the daughter and son-n-law followed us from Romulus) attend Redford are simply IMPRESSED by their programs, involvement and overall commitment to the students.
UNless you want a WONDER BREAD environment for you and your kids, Redford IMHO works well. If you want to isolate from the world and avoid people who do not look like you, then stay out of Redford, because (I believe this in my neighborhood) Redford will not allow itself to be ONE color, religion, class, or status and for my wife and I this is just fine by us.

This is beginning to read like a great BLOG topic huh??

[zakian]

Originally Posted by zthatzmanz28

and which is which? Having lived here for 6 years, my wife and I love it. There are few if any dirt roads since ex-supervisor Handy and some state officials had them ashphalted.

We are in Redford Township--I suppose some would say the "bad" or poor area? Those are folks who probably never lived here on the "other side of the tracks" or believe if you do not live in a 4,000 sq. ft. house then living is poor?

Aside from our one defective neighbor, our neighborhood is just what we expected when we moved in. Mostly quiet--there are dogs but we have two as well--and we look out for each other.

I lived in Taylor-tucky until moving here and I didn't even know my neighbors or if the house across the street was even occupied. Several neighbors had traffic in and out of the house 24/7. I lived in a 1600 sq ft house sitting on 1 3/4 acres so it wasn't section 8 housing.

The police department here is ok. Like most places there are some real jerks that wear the uniform, but there are some who are genuinely involved in the community.

There is a real difference between SOUTH Redford (which is referred to as JUST Redford) and North Redford (this is township or as the schools are known REDFORD UNION)

I am not sure, but judging by the housing and the fact that the streets on my side were dirt until 3 years ago, this area is the older part and the south side is newer with brick ranches as opposed to the township side that has wood frame bungalows and cape cods, Though we know quite a few people on the south side who are just super people--not sure how the attitudes of the school aged kids are..

The downtown area around Five Mile and Beech Daly is taking shape. When we first moved in there wasn't really a central downtown other than where the Township hall and police department were.

Redford Grill is doing well. Though is is a greasy-spoon kind of place, it is local and very friendly. John the owner is just one of the neighbors. Better than driving to Livonia (wonder bread capital of the planet) for franchised pasta or beef)

We have a great out door venue were the old library was. Hopefully the new supervisor will work to utilize it for some summer activities!

The new library on Six mile just east of Beech Daly is wonderful. They still need some books, but it has reading programs / clubs for kids and computer acess for internet.

We also have (had?) one of the best fourth of July celebrations in the downriver area. Hopefully that too will continue?

Bell creek is an underutilized jewel and I personally hope the bicycle / jogging trail planned from Lola Park (just down the street from me 1 block) to Bell Creek is still on the agenda.

IN short, we love everything about Redford--everytime we go to Taylor, Garden City, Livonia, Northville--we are just amazed at the people and the traffic they put up with. We just cut across Plymouth, or Beech or even another mile road (6 or 7 Mile) and we quickly are able to get to where ever we need to go.

If only Redford wasn't in Michigan...We only hope that when we leave (and we will within the next 3 months because of employment) that we find a town / city / community that is similair to Redford.

The only other option to Redford is wanting a new home, 2,000+ sq. ft. and traffic. everything else IMHO is better here.

Oh, and the schools...Though I have not been in the schools, my wife did substitute teach there and our grandchildren (yes the daughter and son-n-law followed us from Romulus) attend Redford are simply IMPRESSED by their programs, involvement and overall commitment to the students.
UNless you want a WONDER BREAD environment for you and your kids, Redford IMHO works well. If you want to isolate from the world and avoid people who do not look like you, then stay out of Redford, because (I believe this in my neighborhood) Redford will not allow itself to be ONE color, religion, class, or status and for my wife and I this is just fine by us.

This is beginning to read like a great BLOG topic huh??

That was a great read. I almost bought a home in Redford once.The wife wouldn't have it. My 1st ex owned a home there,no problems.

[Coldjensens]

My brother lived in Redford township for years. He loved it there. They moved to West Bloomfield. He does not like it there, but the schools are definiteyly better.

Redford township is a bit run down in places, and very blue collar (a good or batd thig depending on your preferences). But it seemed friendly and reasonably safe when my brother lived there. ANd they have a great movie theater. It is certianly not pretentious.

[Bhaalspawn]

What is this movie theater of which you speak? Is it a dollar theater?

I've contemplated whether or not it would make sense to get a starter home in Redford. The main issue would be one of safety. Schools wouldn't be a factor since my wife and I only have two cats.