[Mimi24]

Thoughts about Grand Blanc? Hubs and I are 30 and 29, looking for a "cool" town for 30-somethings that is also family friendly.

I hear Grand Blanc is nice but I'm worried about the crime in Flint and the school system in G.B. seems huge. Would Davison (or somewhere else nearby) be a better match? Thanks!

[kaypurdue]

Grand Blanc is a neat little town, good school system (one of the best in Genesee County), pretty family friendly and no crime spillover from Flint that I'm aware of. It has more of a suburban feel than Davison (where I live now), which is more rural, so it depends on what kind of environment you're looking for. Davison schools are comparable. Grand Blanc is bigger and has more shopping, is close to highways, etc. It's become more of a far northern suburb of Detroit than a suburb of Flint. The housing stock is kinda high priced (especially the further south you go, and homes close to golf courses like Warwick Hills), dropping just like everywhere else of course, but there are still affordable places to live in the school district. Good luck!

[trmaoy]

Actually, Grand Blanc has been a suburb of Flint for a long time, but there are a good number of people who commute south into Oakland county and even Wayne due to job opportunities.

My impression is that many more people from Flint will move to Grand Blanc, than folks south moving up to Grand Blanc. The city is fine, but I don't differentiate it too much from the southern parts of Flint, or Burton, Fenton or Davison. Davison probably is a little more of a country feel but Grand Blanc is a lot bigger.

The good thing is that you are 20 minutes to Auburn Hills, and 35 minutes to Troy for shopping, entertainment etc.

[suydam]

I think Fenton is worth a look too. Cute downtown, up-and-coming, nice schools, etc.

[Detroiteratheart]

My brother and sister-in-law built a gorgeous home in Grand Blanc. She grew up there and has no desire to leave. I don't believe there is any Flint-spillover. We actually grew up in Holly, which is south of Grand Blanc and is okay, but Grand Blanc is a bit more upscale. I agree with Suydam that Fenton would be an excellent place to look. It has a historic section, but also a lot of brand new commercial retail properties. Also, with Fenton you can live in the country or the "city". Not to mention good highway access.

If you're looking for something more trendy, you might take a look at Novi. Great school district, lots of restaurants, excellent shopping.

Fenton, Grand Blanc and Novi are all very safe, family friendly communities.