West Bloomfield or Royal Oak: Which is a better place to live? (Detroit: housing)

[jarohr]

I am investigating alternatives to Ann Arbor. Which is a better place to live? West Bloomfield or Royal OaK? Here are some of the things I am interested in:

Cost of Housing
Restaurants, Shopping, etc.
Natural Foods options
Diversity
Friendliness

Thanks,

JR

[Stumblina]

Originally Posted by jarohr

I am investigating alternatives to Ann Arbor. Which is a better place to live? West Bloomfield or Royal OaK? Here are some of the things I am interested in:

Cost of Housing = Probably about the same.
Restaurants, Shopping, etc. = Definitely Royal Oak. West Bloomfield does not have an actual "downtown" area with lots of good restaurants/bars.
Natural Foods options = Both.
Diversity = Royal Oak has a slight edge with the gay community. West Bloomfield may have the edge with mid easterners and asians.
Friendliness = Can't say for Royal Oak, but West Bloomfield has the RUDEST people in the State of Michigan who have the most insane sense of self-importance - Whether it be in a store, on the road, you name it. RUDE, CRUDE and NASTY!!!!

Thanks,

JR

I think West Bloomfield is a beautiful area, just fringing on, and in some areas also included in the "Lakes Area" of Oakland County. I live literally "across the street" from the boundary of WB and Commerce Township. You can see a HUGE difference in people just by crossing the street!!! Royal Oak is what I call "city neighborhoods". Meaning, they have blocks with homes and sidewalks. WB is more "subdivisions" with winding streets. Royal Oak is "older". WB is "newer". Royal Oak is also geared toward a young, hip, "yuppie" crowd. WB is geared more towards anyone who has money and really good at being a snob. Why don't you check out some of the other areas in the area such as Milford, Commerce Twp., Walled Lake. All are quite lovely.

[MotownLowdown]

Home prices are cheaper in Royal Oak. You can get a nice, updated Cape Cod or Bungalow for about 200,000 right now.
Buying a warehouse loft in downtown Royal Oak is another story.
200K isn't gonna get you terribly far in W. Bloomfield.

Everything else the poster hit on-- is about right. Royal Oak is much friendlier. W. Bloomfield can be really snobby if you don't have $$.

[jeffncandace]

I have to agree with both of the previous posters. I live in Royal Oak. West Bloomfield is nice, but RO is way more down to earth, and has much more of what you seem to be looking for. It's a walkable community, and WB definately is not. The downtown is an entertainment destination here in Metro Detroit, and the neighborhoods are great.
Good luck!

[and the]

I'd rather live in Royal Oak with a lot the size of what you get in West Bloomfield.

[cardwellave]

Royal Oak is warmer and more welcoming in my opinion. More traditional, with a great downtown. West Bloomfield (which is a township, and therefore lacks a downtown) is rather "cold". Not much of a central point or anything, and lots of small, disjointed subdivisions. It is quiet though.

[khfar]

WOW - you guys make me so excited to be moving to W. Bloomfield!

[Cato the Elder]

It's an apples to oranges comparison. Generally, WB is better for those who want a bit more space and seclusion. My parents live in just such an area in teh Chicagoland area and love it. RO is more like A2 - bit more progressive with a higher density of residential and commercial. It's like the difference between living in NYC vs. Westchester, Philadelphia vs. the Mainline, San Francisco vs. Marin, etc.. Different strokes for different folks...

[RedWingsFan]

Personally I don't see why everyone is so up on Royal Oak. It's okay, it's not great and it's close to things that aren't great at all. I would go for Bloomfield if it were me.

[and the]

I like Royal Oak because it's a lot cheaper than West Bloomfield, and there's a ton of nightlife. Plus it's a relatively crime-free suburb compared to points south. It's close enough to Detroit to get downtown fairly quickly down the Woodward Corridor and you have all the Downtown Detroit stuff you can access easily. Detroit Public Library, Science Center, sports, concerts, restaurants. Windsor is a lot easier to get to from Royal Oak than WB. However, I'd rather raise kids in WB than Royal Oak, I think.