Moving to Michigan need help! job in Madison Heights (Grand Rapids: relocating, house)

[Lagarden]

I need some advice on areas in Michigan. We are relocating for work in Madison Heights. I have 3 small children so school district is #1. We are looking for a safe, family friendly area with lots of kids. Can anyone recommend some areas that we should look? We are looking for a development that has lots of swingsets. Any input would be appreciated!

[jeffncandace]

Madison Heights isn't too bad. I would recommend checking out Royal Oak, which is adjacent to MH. In general, this side of the 75 is nicer, IMHO. Check out RO, Berkley, and if money is no object, Birmingham. These areas are nice, with good schools and lots of parks. They are walkable communities with nice downtown areas and tree lined streets.

Troy is also very safe with very good schools, although the town itself is all subdivisions and strip malls. No personality. If you don't care about that, then definately check it out.

You will also be near Macomb county. I don't know as much about Macomb but there is a range of communities from desirable to undesirable. My personal opinion is stick with Oakland county, which in general is a bit nicer, and the schools a bit better.

Good luck!

[Lagarden]

thanks for the insight.
do you know anything about rochester schools and romeo school district?

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by Lagarden

thanks for the insight.
do you know anything about rochester schools and romeo school district?

I have only heard positives about both. I believe Rochester to be the better of the 2, but Romeo is supposed to be a good place to live as well. Since I live here in Oakland County, where Rochester is, I would lean that way. Also it is closer to MH than Romeo.

[RedWingsFan]

If schools are the higher priority (and they would be for me with kids as well), then go to GreatSchools.net and do some searches on individual schools. You can look up a cities' schools and it will give you the demographics, how many kids get free lunch, how many are passing, student to teacher ratio, etc.

I would look above 16 mile road... Troy and Rochester Hills both have good schools and are safe. Also, Utica has good schools and taxes are a little lower.

[Lagarden]

Thanks for the info. Redwing that website has great information.


Are there any parts of Rochester or Rochester Hills to stay away from or is it all pretty nice?
We are looking in the 300-350 range, any recommendations of developments?

[Cato the Elder]

Based vaguely on your reference to swingsets, you do not want sprawling places like Troy. It sounds like you want tighter-knit, community-oriented places with many parks and local events. Combined with your request for top schools, the area you should target is the Birmingham school district - it's probably the best in the state along with Grosse Pointe and Forest Hills/East Grand Rapids. This district would include the towns of Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Franklin, and parts of north Southfield. Check for yourself how other school districts compare with Seaholm and Groves high schools.

[dentaigirl10]

romeo schools are great as is armada ( actually ) armada's are better also richmond is a great place to live,I grew up there and miss it dearly. I also have ahouse for rent or sale if your looking.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by RedWingsFan

I would look above 16 mile road... Troy and Rochester Hills both have good schools and are safe. Also, Utica has good schools and taxes are a little lower.

Oh yes, don't go NEAR that ghetto at 15 mile and Woodward called Birmingham. What a dump.

[jeffncandace]

In the interest of remaining helpful to those that don't know the area, I should point out that my post above is sarcastic (obviously). Birmingham is an extremely upscale town, despite being south of 16 Mile.