Which Detroit suburbs are in the BEST shape? (Warren, Sterling Heights: real estate market, foreclosure)

[Dexterguy]

^^^By the way Wendy, I am not trying to start an arguement, I'm just curious.

[Wendy from GP]

Hemmie,

I work part-time and have a 19 month old son, so I understand the mom concerns. The IB issue is interesting to me. I wrote you another response in another posting (think I'm getting a little obsesive). What I know from reading the issue in the GP News, is that they were considering it, but decided to revisit the issue later. It sounds like the International Academy may be the only place in the area that offers a full IB curriculum. Andover in Bloomfield seems to offer some classes, as does DCDS (private school). But from what I can tell, no "regular" public school offers the full IB right now. The school district would not vote down the IB program if other school districts offered it. They are definitely not adverse to the idea of offering a competitive curriculum.

GP is stay-at-home mom central. It's much more common here, for some reason. That is actually a minus for me, being a working mother. But it's great for you. There are loads of mom groups and day time activities to fill the day. Plus, the parks are really unbelieveable, especially the Farms and the two Park parks. In the summer, you will be so grateful to have them. I'm actually working on getting the Chamber of Commerce to put together a central "mom repository" with all of the options for us. Right now, you have to be a bit pro-active to figure out what it out there.

As for being conservative, almost all of my friends are just the opposite. I'm kind of knee jerk liberal, and I feel very welcome. When I moved here, I joined the GP Dems and worked on the Kerry campaign. Obviously didn't get the result we wanted, but I met some interesting people. Although I suppose there are still remnants of the old line, everyone I know is very open, interesting, and really cares about the well-being of the Detroit. The one common bond of many transplants is that they are really city people at heart, and GP offers the closest thing to urban living (outside of Ann Arbor). But you obviously have to move somewhere that feels right for you. That's such a personal choice.

By the way, today is the first time I've ever posted anything on this website. I guess something you said must have struck something in me. Good luck with your choice. B'ham or Grosse Pointe are both very nice places to live. I'm sure you'll be happy with either one.

[Wendy from GP]

Dexterguy,

I heard it from my father-in-law. How's that for a reliable source Actually, GM didn't move downtown until about 5-10 years ago. It used to be located in the New Center area, which was more convenient to the Northern suburbs. I believe Bloomfield was actually developed specifically with GM execs in mind. The entire Ford family used to live in GP, and consequently many of the execs did as well. I think that has changed now.

As for being isolated from auto, look at the census data. Lawyer is the number one profession for men, at least in the Park, City, and Farms. Surgeon/Physician is number one in the Shores. It makes sense when you think what jobs are downtown-law firms, hospitals, universities. As well as St. John, Henry Ford/Cottage, and Beumont GP.

[Dexterguy]

Wendy,

Do you have any links to the census data? I'm interested in looking at them.

I actually think that GM CEO Rick Wagoner lives in Birmingham, doe he not?

I know that Ford family had their Grosse Pointe Shores Mansion and all, but I don't think that there are many Ford employees that live in the Pointes anymore, as you said, more lawyers, doctors, surgeons, etc.

**I believe that many people who work in Detroit journalism (WDIV Local 4, WXYZ 7, and Fox 2) live in the Pointes, am I wrong? I know at least some of the Anchors at WDIV do, because they are in downtown.

[hemmie]

Originally Posted by Wendy from GP

By the way, today is the first time I've ever posted anything on this website. I guess something you said must have struck something in me.

Guess so . You can see that I really have been doing a lot of thinking and as much research as I can possibly do from afar. See a previous thread here that I started about a month and a half ago. I think I'm particularly paranoid about the crowd I'll be hanging out with all day, because I've always worked full-time... so this stay-at-home mom gig will be new for me. Who are these other women who do this? Are they like me? Or are they totally different? Guess I'll find out, along with all the other culture shock! And the weather, oh, the weather... I'm already picturing my poor, shivering self anytime the weather dips below (I'm afraid to say what temp)

Actually, I really am looking forward to the move, but I do know there will be adjustments... so am just trying to do as much prep as possible to find where we'll be the happiest.

[BurtsBees]

Fraser, Sterling Heights....Shelby Township...

[Wendy from GP]

There are 45 foreclosures in the Grosse Pointes (48230 and 48236) as of today. There are fewer than 500 homes for sale. Just asked my realtor.

Hemmie, I think your financial planner should keep his day job and stay out of real estate My guess is that there are 4100 homes total in the 48236 zip code. Trust me, it's still a pretty vibrant place, especially for younger families. The Village definitely needs a shot in the arm, but GP City has just approved a Downtown Development Authority, which will be an enormous step in the right direction. Many of my friends and I are working on presenting suggestions that fit our lifestyle, and try to nudge the retail options toward our demographic. In some ways, it's a bit empowering.

As for the Mother's Club, it's not the only parents' club at South. There is a "Booster Club" and all kinds of other parent groups. My son's babysitter is involved in every one, I'm sure of it. I think the Mother's Club specifically focuses on raising money for college scholarships and historic preservation of the school, which is a National Historic landmark. But there are other groups who also provide these services as well. Don't worry--it's not stepford wife country anymore :0)

Anyway, good luck with your search. I promise you will be meet interesting, well-educated, down-to-earth people in GP and in B'ham. And some people who will drive you crazy. Just try not to pay too much attention to the stereotypes. I recommend that you also look at the Park and the City, which are in 48230. Older housing stock, mature trees, walkable, etc.

[hemmie]

Originally Posted by Wendy from GP

There are 45 foreclosures in the Grosse Pointes (48230 and 48236) as of today. There are fewer than 500 homes for sale. Just asked my realtor.

Hemmie, I think your financial planner should keep his day job and stay out of real estate My guess is that there are 4100 homes total in the 48236 zip code.

Wendy, I specifically said:

Originally Posted by hemmie

there are over 4100 foreclosures in 48236 alone. Yes, I know that includes Harper Woods, but still. Wowza.

So yes, it's true that it is in that zip code and not the GPs per se. But that still a pretty shocking number, wouldn't you say? I still don't think the real estate picture is exactly rosy in either B'ham or GP... or Michigan in general... or the country as a whole.

Our financial advisor friend is dead on in cautioning us to be very careful in putting any money into real estate in the greater Detroit area until we 1) are sure we will be happy in a specific place, which may mean renting for a while until we really get to know the area, and 2) know more about what's going to happen with the local economy. Houses are a risky investment right now. We may be in the Detroit area forever (tenure track job). Then again, we may not like it - or his job may not work out - and we may leave after a few years. Do we buy a house now and maybe get saddled with having to sell it in a very tough market a few years later??? Then again, prices are pretty darn low, and we'd love to be "settled." That's the decision we're facing.

Trust me, it's VERY tempting to get seduced by the lovely and affordable houses we're seeing in the GPs. It will pain me NOT to put an offer in on one of them. But we need to be smart here. I will obviously have a much better feel after my visit there, drive around, sit in coffee shops, meet some people, visit some schools, etc.

[Wendy from GP]

Dexterguy,

Actually, there is reference to the census data on the city-data.com website. Also, I think you are right that GP has a fair number of journalists. In fact, I think Forbes' or Fortune Mag's Detroit Bureau is actuallly located there. But A2 has its fair share as well. And many, like Daniel Howes and Mitch Albom, live in Oakland Country.

[Wendy from GP]

When I run a search in Trulia for forelcosures in 48236, the number is 13 (which comports with what our agent told us). Realty Trac lists something like 68 REO Homes Sales near 48236, and the first four listings were outside of 48236. I really think your advisor's numbers are wrong, but what do I know.