southfield (Detroit, Livonia, Farmington Hills: middle-class, houses, neighborhood)

[missy3681]

I am trying to find out what southfield, MI is like. I have never heard of it, so I thought I would find out the skinny about it. I am looking at a possible teaching job there, is that good or bad?

[dmetro]

Although my knowledge on Southfield is limited, I can tell you that it's a pretty decent area. It's an older metro Detroit suburb, so it isn't the wealthiest area, but it's pretty safe and the cost of living is quite reasonable. It's also more diverse than most metro Detroit suburbs, which is another plus. There are many offices and places of employment, and it's close to Detroit, which can be good and bad. Good luck finding a teaching job though, right now the Michigan economy is in shambles.

[cwillisfla]

My sister lived in Southfield for about 10 years and liked it. She was in the 9 mile/Greenfield area which is right at the Detroit border and never had any problems. The homes are older and the residents are mainly middle class, working families of all ethnic groups. If you want to know any specifics I can try to find out from her...just PM me.

[Angel Bear]

9 Mile and Beech or Telegraph has some nice older homes...Also, you'll be close in proximity to Farmington Hills/Livonia/Redford border in that neighborhood area.

[cksh]

There are some nice areas in Southfield but there are also some bad ones. (went to school there). And mind you Southfield is not all about little suburbs with strip malls, but also a city with sky scrapers lots of traffic and plenty of people. Not that thats bad.

I went to a party at one of the parks there several years ago and there were homeless wandering around asking for handouts. I was a little surprised considering the area we were in (I think it was the north western part of the city). The host said "thats the nature of the area we live in". Southfield?!

I agree it is definitely diverse though. Working there wouldn't be bad but its a crap shoot as far as finding a place to live if you don't know the area.

[Bhaalspawn]

Southfield is OK, I guess. I lived there until I graduated from middle school many years ago. You should know that Southfield had a "white flight" about two decades ago and that if you're white you might end up being part of the minority. I've also heard that its two high schools have some rough students.

Regardless, if you want to live in the northwestern suburbs you should definitely investigate Farmington Hills, Novi, West Bloomfield, Livonia, Plymouth, and Canton. Southfield would probably have less expensive housing and an older housing stock, though, so it depends on what you're looking for.

[Angel Bear]

My favorite Starbuck's in SE Michigan is on Telegraph and Nine Mile. They are sooo kind and friendly in there and well, they give you personalized service. They write my name on my Chai tea and serve it with a smile.

I love Southfield...I go down there 2x a month. I enjoy the people there...They are very friendly, much more so than in my neck of the woods in the 'northern suburbs' LOL

Great restaurants too

[Michigan_Man]

Originally Posted by missy3681

I am trying to find out what southfield, MI is like. I have never heard of it, so I thought I would find out the skinny about it. I am looking at a possible teaching job there, is that good or bad?

Southfield is like a safer version of detroit IMHO. check out the city on this site and you can get infor on the demographics of the city. But in this city like michigan as a whole, this economy is going downhill really fast and lots of people are leaving. Good luck to you

[pierrejmf]

Hi

I and my girlfriend are thinking to buy an house in southfield.
I am caucasian (french) and she asian (japan).
we are interested in a house between 8 and 9 miles road. A area call magnolia.
this area look very nice with beautifull houses.
I talk with the neighborhood and it seems that this area is nice and quite.

this is true that's most of the people are african american but so what!
I really don't care. my girlfriend is worry because it's close to the 8 miles road .
I drove in 8 miles road area and yes it looks scary, ghosty.

I would like to have your impression about this area (melrose road).
thanks you very much

jmf

[Mr. 248]

I live in Southfield and have lived there for over 10 years now. It is a predominantly middle-class black suburb of Detroit. It is bordered to the south by Redford and Detroit; to the west by Farmington Hills; to the north Birmingham and Franklin (a small and very upscale village frequented by Detroit's elite and visiting dignitaries because of its golf courses); and to the east Royal Oak and Oak Park. Southfield is a quiet place to live but do not be alarmed by the black predominance. Due to the "white flight" over two decades ago, many people feel as though simply because the area is populated with blacks that it is a bad area - quite the contrary. There are virtually NO bad areas in this suburb. There are no places to feel unsafe at any time. Southfield public schools have two of the highest ranked high schools in the Metro Detroit Area (ranked by Newsweek's top U.S. schools) and offer other alternative and private schooling options as well. With the surrounding communities of Farmington Hills, Birmingham, and Royal Oak, Southfield offers a convenient location with access to some of Metro Detroit's fine eateries and hang outs. I could go on, but you can visit Southfield's website at City of Southfield - The Center of it All! - hope this was helpful.