Another Relocation Question! (Detroit, Warren, Ann Arbor: lease, houses, neighborhood)

[jerky1280]

My girlfriend and I are relocating to Detroit for the next 4 year (Coast Guard). I am going to be working at Selfridge ANGB, she'll be going to school at Wayne State. What are some good middle-ground areas to consider?

We're both in our late 20's, no kids. Here's our wish list:

+House with a fenced yard (for the dog) and at least a one-car garage.
+Nice areas to walk the dog around the neighborhood.
+Close to downtown restaurants/bars.

Thus far, we're looking into the Royal Oak/Ferndale/Clawson area. I love the looks of downtown Royal Oak.

I would like to keep my rent to around $1200/month.

[scolls]

I think you will like the Royal Oak area. It'll be a bit of a drive to Selfridge but Wayne State is right down Woodward.

[Coldjensens]

IOt sounds like Royal Oak is ideal for you. You could get closer to a mid point between WSU and selfridge, but then you are pretty much looking at small towns and rural areas. The drive will be a bear in the winter. You should make arrangements for a place to stay at or very near selfridge on really bad days in the winter. Not only will it take a long time, but it will be dangerous.

I always thought that it would be great to be int he coast guard. I sometimes wish that I had taken that as my career path instead of an office job. I have always had a stong attachment to boats and water.

Do you love it?

[jeanniepep]

We were just down house-hunting in Royal Oak and Ferndale yesterday, and you will have a LOT of nice rent/lease options for $1200/month! Both areas have tons of fun things to do and pretty tree-lined streets with lots of available cute houses. Both are right next to I-696 which will get you to Selfridge.

[jerky1280]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

IOt sounds like Royal Oak is ideal for you. You could get closer to a mid point between WSU and selfridge, but then you are pretty much looking at small towns and rural areas. The drive will be a bear in the winter. You should make arrangements for a place to stay at or very near selfridge on really bad days in the winter. Not only will it take a long time, but it will be dangerous.

I always thought that it would be great to be int he coast guard. I sometimes wish that I had taken that as my career path instead of an office job. I have always had a stong attachment to boats and water.

Do you love it?

Thanks for the info. I have a Subaru Outback, so hopefully the winter's won't be too bad for me.

I'm currently training to fly helicopters for the Coast Guard. I did a few years onboard ships and that wasn't really my cup of tea. Months at a time away from home combined with seasickness and long work hours when underway (18 hrs a day 6 days a week) made me thing that a different path was for me. I absolutely love flying though!

[Pearl14256]

Royal Oak is great, lots of cute shops and restaurants. Birmingham is cute too, but more expensive.

[ckhthankgod]

What about Fraser, Warren, Hazel Park or Roseville? Maybe Eastpointe or Harper Woods?

[CGSmiths]

My husband is in the CG as well, and we just signed a lease on a house in Royal Oak. There are actually a bunch of Coasties there, which I wasn't expecting. My husband did the drive to the base and it was right around 30 minutes.

Our house has a fenced in back yard, a garage, is walking distance to everything we could want and is adorable too. You will find something in your price range with no trouble at all.

Please feel free to ask us anything about the area, as my husband has been up there twice checking everyplace out!

[Coldjensens]

As long as you do not have kids. Royal Oak is a great place for young people. UNless you are more of an outdoorsy type (RO is not an outdoorsy type place),the only place that really offers as much is Ann Arbor and maybe Downtown.

[MICoastieMom]

Welcome to Michigan, CGSmiths and jerky1280! My Coastie is in Alaska. If there is anything I can do, or you need a mom away from home, please do not hesitate to ask.