how suburban are the suburbs around troy? (Detroit, Sterling Heights: crime rate, best schools)

[hate2leavedc]

we are thinking about moving to mi from dc and i'm SCARED. are the suburbs around troy really suburban? with a reasonable commute to a job in troy proper, where can you live and still have an urban lifestyle (diversity, walk/take public transport to your errands, have EXCELLENT schools, dog park, and tons of cultural/outdoor activities)? the smaller the lawn the better. maybe i'm asking for too much...

thanks!

[alwaystraveling25]

Originally Posted by hate2leavedc

we are thinking about moving to mi from dc and i'm SCARED. are the suburbs around troy really suburban? with a reasonable commute to a job in troy proper, where can you live and still have an urban lifestyle (diversity, walk/take public transport to your errands, have EXCELLENT schools, dog park, and tons of cultural/outdoor activities)? the smaller the lawn the better. maybe i'm asking for too much...

thanks!

My neighbors just moved from DC to Chicago, and I'm a native of Metro Detroit, so hopefully I can help give you some perspective.

First things first: Troy, and any other city around it, with maybe the exception of Downtown Royal Oak, is going to feel INCREDIBLY suburban compared to living DC (especially if you lived in DC and not NOVA or Maryland). If you are looking for diversity, dog park, and cultural/outdoor activities in Oakland County, your best bet is Royal Oak. The best area to experience what you want in SE Michigan is in Ann Arbor, but that may be too far away from your future job/school, and it is definitely a hike from Oakland County to there.

As an addendum, forget the fact that public transportation exists when you come to Detroit - it sure as heck doesn't exist there! There are some sort of SMART buses that run, but the only people who take them are those who cannot afford a car or those who lost a license. There is definitely a stigma here when riding public trans, versus the CTA in Chicago and the MTA in NYC.

Detroit, even at it's most liberal, is going to be a lot more conservative then what you knew in DC (using my gay interracial neighbors that just moved to Chicago as an example).

And one more thing: Unlike DC, Illinois, and a handful of other states, you can still smoke in Michigan bars and restaurants. I'm not sure if you are smoker or not, so that may be good news or bad news for you.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

[Thomas_Thumb]

I think you want Birmingham. A bit pricey, but there is talks of a rail between Troy and Birmingham. Royal Oak, a close second, but their schools are not as good as those found in Troy or Birmingham.

[Thomas_Thumb]

Originally Posted by alwaystraveling25

The best area to experience what you want in SE Michigan is in Ann Arbor, but that may be too far away from your future job/school, and it is definitely a hike from Oakland County to there.

Yes, I would agree. Ann Arbor is indeed quite a hike from Oakland County. However, I know several people who make that commute every day

[Dexterguy]

Troy and the surrounding areas are about as "suburban" as you get in Michigan. Most of the area is completely developed and has become a very nice diverse area.

[snoopygirlmi]

Dexterguy is right on with his assessment. And I also agree with alwaystravelling25 - you want to forget the notion that the public transportation system here will resemble anything like you've experienced in D.C.. Detroit is the motor city, not the public transport city!

[Coldjensens]

THe only place that you will find what you want is Ann Arbor. Royal Oak is somewhat uban, but the schools are considerbly below execellent. Birmingham is a cute small town with excellent schools, but it is not the lively night life kind of place that you appear to be seeking. It is also very very upscale with everything that goes with very very upscale areas (both good and bad).

Ann arbor is a bit more expensive than many other areas, but if you do nto want land, that should not be a problem. It is a college town that became a significant city. If you do nto mind the traffic, noise and general rowdiness from the college, it is ideal. Personally, it is my favorite city that I have ever lived in or visited. (I now choose to live away from the City life, but if I were to choose city life, I would want ot choose Ann Arbor). I would nto choose Ann Arbor right now becuase of the commute, but we have some people in our office (Ren Cen downtown Detroit) who commute from Ann Arbor and think that living there is worth the commute.

You could look at Dearborn. They have a bit of urban appeal in places and some really good schools



As for cultural diversity, you will not find much here except somewhat in Ann Arbor. The areas with superior schools tend to be pretty much all white. They have very small numbers of black, asian and hispanic backgrounds, but the numbers are comparatively tiny. Most areas of S.E. Michigan are pretty segregated. I am not certain why cultural diversity is such a prized issue for some people. I have lived in diverse areas, areas where I wsa a minority and now in an area where I am in the overwhelming majority. I really do not see a whole lot of difference or advantage. Nice people are nice people. To me, it really does not much matter where their great great grandparents lived or what their skin tone is.

[YoungKevCash]

The areas around Troy are all pretty suburban except for the area to the South. Like everyone said before, Royal Oak is the most "urban" location but the schools aren't great. Troy itself is actually very diverse, my friends in high school there tell me the schools are all about 30% Asian with good amounts of other minority groups.

Dearborn as mentioned above has a more urban feel to it, as well as the biggest Arab population outside of the Middle East, but it's also a much longer commute to Troy.

[lovemygirls0_2]

Sterling Heights is about 10 minutes from Troy. The Utica School District within Sterling Heights is fantastic. It is suburban but an easy communte (by car of course) to downtown Detroit, Royal Oak, and a lot of other cities with great night life. Research SH. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Our crime rate is very low, there's lots to do in and around the city and it is a pretty diverse area.

[ladolcevitabella]

Troy is pleasant, but if you're really looking for the Stepford lifestyle I'd suggest Birmingham. It might as well have been the location for the set.

Not that I'm complaining. Birmingham is a little piece of heaven in this dreary state.

Birmingham arguably has some of the best schools in the state.. and the downtown lifestyle is amazing. Might as well be a little bubble, everything you need in close proximity to home. Not to mention fantastic dining options and yes, there are some naughty spots.

Chen Chow, The Corner, 220.. they are all fantastic for mingling and enjoying a night on the town. You can't beat Birmingham.