Moing to Detroit area. (Warren, Sterling Heights: appointed, low crime, houses)

[wls2624]

Hello,

I'm needing help in trying to decide on what area would be best for our family. We would be moving from the Quad Cities. I've heard the bad things about Detroit but after some research, I am finding the suburbs really are rather nice. I just need help in deciding which one. So far it sounds like Troy, Sterling Heights or Plymouth would be good. I'm looking for good schools as I have a child in grade school and one in high school. What would be the better of the three suburbs I named, or even one I don't know about. My husband would be transferring to the Arsenal in Warren. I posted this info in the Huntsville, AL area too, as we may have that option as well.

What line of work are you in? My husband is an Engineer at the Rock Island Arsenal so it would be at the Arsenal in that area.

Who is "we"? My husband and two children.

How old are you? My husband and I are in our mid forties. I have been a stay at home mom for 15 years and may continue to do so or work part-time.

Married? Kids? Ages? My oldest is in high school and my youngest is in grade school so a good school and family area is a high priority. However, the neighborhood we live in now, the majority of people are ten years younger than we are, I would rather live in a neighborhood where people are mainly in their forties - fifties.

Rent or buy? budget or price range? Buying in the price range of 300,000 - 425,000. However I do not want to live in a pretentious, snobby area. That's what we live in now (Bettendorf, IA) and I am very unhappy because of it. I like nice things and nice places but I don't like to be pretentious about it or around people like that so I know Bloomfield Hills is not what I am looking for.

Where in Detroit is the job? (I don't know Detroit but if it is in a nice area with lots of amenities that you want then that is something to consider.)
It would be in Warren but we are looking at suburbs closer to Ann Arbor. I do like the shopping and restaurants that a big city provides.

What is your gut feeling on Huntsville weather vs Detriot weather? Do you strongly prefer one over the other? I lived in Phoenix for 5 years so I like warm weather but not humidity. I would like the mild winters in Alabama but probably not the summers. I think I would like the mild summers in Michigan. My husband is from Wisconsin and enjoys the hunting and fishing life of the north. My mother and grandparents are from Southern Alabama and we went there every year for many years to visit my grandparents so I am familiar with Alabama and the people from there. I too, like the outdoors in Northern Wisconsin so think it would be similar to Michigan. I also am very bored with the area we are in now, Metro population 400,000. I very much enjoy the shopping and restaurants in the Chicago suburbs and go there quite often. I am wondering if Detroit suburbs would be like that. -- thus the reason for my indecision.

Also, this sounds sooo corny, but, My ideal would be a house in the country where I could have horses....kind of like the house at the end of the movie "Marley and Me." I know, very corny, but it's the only analogy I could think of

But if that is not possible a nice house in the burbs would do just fine

[djones87]

Given that you husband's job is in warren you may - for commuting sake want to take that into consideration given traffic sometimes in and around metro area and Warren. Plymouth is beautiful with great schools and proximity to AA - only downfall will be commute to Warren - not easy. You may consider the Grosse Pointes - great schools and ammendities and although can be snobby - that doenst represent the entire area. I dont think there is anything special about Troy or Sterling Heights and think you might be dissappointed. I would defintely factor in that drive to Warren however.

[ChoochMI]

Ive lived in the Plymouth area for the majority of my life and I would highly recommend it for raising a family. Good schools, nice little downtown, friendly people, low crime, 20-30 min to downtown Detroit or Ann Arbor, etc. You have some pretty expensive houses mixed with normal ones and everyone seems to get along just fine.

The commute to Warren: not impossible, but definitely not pleasant if your husbands going to be on the road during the typical rush hour times.

If your husbands a trooper and can withstand the longer commute, look a little further west for your future horse farm.

[renter8319]

plymouth is really far from warren+ youhave to pass detroit on the way. this means if your husband travels during rush hour his drive will be brutal. plymouth to warren is about 45 min or more generally. with traffic, your looking at easily 1 hr to 1 hr 15-20 min each way. royal oak is a nice area, remember the further north of detroit you go the nicer the areas in general, but also the more remote. royal oak is an area with good school districts and a happening downtown that is about 10 minutes to warren. with that kind of money you could have a great house and plenty of money left over(houses are going extremely cheap right now). the metro area is basically broken down into the east side, the west side and downriver. warren is on the eastside, basically the middle of the eastside at that. northern sterling heights at m59(hall rd.) is a great area to live with tons of stuff to do good schools and a short commute. this would be the area i'd choose check it out. i suggest staying north of 17 mile in sterling heights. this is probably the largest growing area on the eastside.

[upnorthgirl]

I'm a westsider and love it over here and this is where Plymouth is - far from Warren. Northville (north of Plymouth) is another really nice town. These 2 towns have horse farms as well and are definitely closer to Ann Arbor. You may want to look north to Clarkston area. Rush hour in all of Detroit is crazy, so think of the time you want your husband commuting to and from work.
Like Wisconsin there is a ton of hunting and fishing in this state. And northern Michigan is beautiful with alot to do.
As for the weather: Michigan weather is all over the map - summer can get very hot and humid, fall is awesome, Winter is cold and gray(You can go days without seeing the sun), Spring is a roll of the dice, could be very nice -could be rainy and chilly. I'm guessing the weather in Huntsville may be a little more predictable.
The cost of living in the Detroit area is high, so don't be surprised when you see the prices - even with the economy right now. Though it is a buyers market right now, you could probably get a lot more for your money.

[ajau]

Originally Posted by upnorthgirl

I'm a westsider and love it over here and this is where Plymouth is - far from Warren. Northville (north of Plymouth) is another really nice town. These 2 towns have horse farms as well and are definitely closer to Ann Arbor. You may want to look north to Clarkston area. Rush hour in all of Detroit is crazy, so think of the time you want your husband commuting to and from work.
Like Wisconsin there is a ton of hunting and fishing in this state. And northern Michigan is beautiful with alot to do.
As for the weather: Michigan weather is all over the map - summer can get very hot and humid, fall is awesome, Winter is cold and gray(You can go days without seeing the sun), Spring is a roll of the dice, could be very nice -could be rainy and chilly. I'm guessing the weather in Huntsville may be a little more predictable.
The cost of living in the Detroit area is high, so don't be surprised when you see the prices - even with the economy right now. Though it is a buyers market right now, you could probably get a lot more for your money.

Cost of living in Detroit is high? Compared to what? Compared to NY or LA? Or compared to rural Kentucky?

[usroute10]

There are a whole lot of suburbs that you could choose from in Macomb County, where the Arsenal is located. These suburbs are north of Warren, and they include Harrison Township, Chesterfield Township, and Washington Township. They all have excellent schools and newer housing, and located near two very good malls - Lakeside Mall and the new "lifestyle center" called Partridge Creek. Also, you are close in proximity to Lake St. Clair. If you go even farther north, you will hit more rural areas like New Baltimore, New Haven, Romeo, and Armada Township, where you might find that place for your horses, but there are about 20 miles north of TACOM.


The cities of Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Troy are also relatively close by. The Rochester and Troy schools are outstanding. And the BEST mall in Michigan is located in Troy - the Somerset Collection - a gigantic complex that is actually two different malls. Also, if you go further north into Addison and Leonard Townships, you might find that spacious land.

You don't need to live near Ann Arbor for the big city shopping and restaurants. Minus the college students, Ann Arbor is only 100,000. It is a very large college town with a bustling downtown. However, there are several older (but very safe, clean, and modern) suburbs of Detroit that have large downtown areas that would be close to you in Macomb County. They include Mount Clemens, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Ferndale, and Pontiac. Also downtown Detroit is as safe as any big city downtown and has many restaurants - it is the residental neighborhoods where the vast majority of crime happens.

[wls2624]

Thank you all so much! Even though they say Detroit is not a good place, to me, it really seems to have a lot to offer. Plus, a few of your suburbs were in Money Magazine's, Best Places to Live, so it can't be all bad. So, I'm leaning toward the Detroit area over Huntsville. Even though I like warm weather, I would imagine Detroit's winters aren't much different than where I am now -- Iowa/Illinois. I would also like the restaurants and shopping available in big city suburbs. I'm actually excited about moving there! Thanks again!

[DaniellaG]

I heard that I think about Oakland County. I think you pm me but anyhow I was thinking of Birmingham for you because you are close to Troy,dowtown area,Royal Oak,etc.The commute for your husband I think would not be bad. Also I think Birmingham school districts are very good.

[Coldjensens]

Plymouth is wonderful. Grosse Point(s) is(are) wonderful and closer. Grosse Ile is perfect for some people (depends on what you want for your family). Birmingham is perfect for some families (who have and like money); Northville, South Lyon, West Bloomfield are all great places too. Novi is good if you like shopping and traffic and do not mind cookie cutter subs. All of these places have great schools. You should come and look at as many as you can and talk to people who live there.


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