Seeking neighborhood in Detroit Area-Help! Want good schools, character, walkability and rental (Dearborn: mortgage)

[jenasking]

Hi. I'll be moving with my family to Detroit next year. I have two young boys and a fair idea of what I want, but no idea where that is. We'll only be there two years, so will likely rent. We'd prefer to rent a house over an apt. or condo. Great schools would be TOP priority (I have a kindergartener and a second grader). I'd LOVE a neighborhood with a lot of character that was self-contained so we could walk (or ride bike) from school, to store, to coffee shop, etc. And of course, a safe place would be nice. Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Cato the Elder]

I would rent in this market if you'll be here for two years.

Top schools with walkability would suggest Grosse Pointe or Birmingham schools. For the latter, you do not have to live in Birmingham as the district includes the bordering areas of surrounding towns - Beverly Hills, Franklin, Southfield, etc. It's not that difficult renting a house in this district for a reasonable price - not sure about Grosse Pointe as I do not spend much time there.

[sundancer]

I would agree that Birmingham sounds like what your looking for. But it depends where you will be working. Birmingham has great schools that are right in the neighborhoods, makes it easy to walk or ride a bike to school. The downtown area has it all, many shops, all kinds of resturants, coffee shops. But rent isnt cheap there. My wife used to rent there just a few years ago. She was about a half mile from town in a small 1000 Sq. foot house probable built in the 40s and rent was $1100.00.

[and the]

Check the Plymouth/Northville area too.

[lucy1234]

Grosse Pointe rentals range from $800.00-1,500.00 per month. It's a very safe community and you can walk everywhere. Downtown Detroit is a 15 minute commute.

Good Luck!!

[cardwellave]

The west side of Dearborn has decent schools, and nice little downtown and a lot of cozy neighborhoods. They're all in pretty good proximity to the downtown area which ranges from about Outer Dr to Brady St on Michigan Ave. There's lots of nice homes in the Levagood Park area, any of the neighborhoods off Cherry Hill in the area all the way up to about Gulley, and further down Outer Dr to around Pelham as well.

[Angel Bear]

Birmingham, Grosse Pointe's, W. Dearborn, Plymouth, Northville...all excellent

[Kevin Smith]

Birmingham would be choice #1. Rent prices are way down as many people have had their homes on the market for many months & are now renting to pay the mortgage. Try the area around Pierce School, you can walk the kids to school and it is stones throw from downtown & has many nice rentals in the area.

[jeffncandace]

Birmingham would be #1, I agree. You can also try Royal Oak, it has the downtown, is cheaper, is safe, schools are good, not the best in the area, but definately far from the worst. For those who say RO is more young adult, we live here with 3 small kids, and love it.
Also look at Berkeley, just across Woodward from RO and, just like RO, is just south of Birmingham.
Grosse Pointe is not close to these towns but has the same things going for it.
As mentioned above, I haven't been there but I have heard nothing but good about West Dearborn, Plymouth, and Northville.
Notice that no one is telling you to check out Detroit proper. There are some good neighborhoods, but in general it's just not that safe, except for certain small areas.

[jenasking]

Thank you all so much for the input. It's a daunting task to tackle this without a little guidance. We'll make the trip soon to check things out in person--a task much easier thanks to your help. Regards!