Moving From Sunny L.A., CA to Detroit/surrounding areas (Lansing: relocation, housing)

[an6el177]

Hi all, I joined to get some information on Detroit, MI. My boyfriend and I live in sunny Orange County/L.A. and are planning on relocating to MI for his new job as an editor (obviously he's in the automotive industry). I've read that the suburbs are a nice to live in and we're ideally looking for a loft/condo/townhouse/home with an enclosed garage. Does anyone have any recommendations for what city?

Also, I was in the middle of applying to undergrad second degree programs and grad schools in nursing/physician's assistant studies here in SoCal. Now I have to look into MI's university/colleges. Does anyone have any advice for attending school in MI? What the reputation of some of the local campuses are? Financial aid for out of state/re-located students? I was interested in these schools but don't know how far they are from Detroit: Davenport Univ, Michigan State Univ, Univ of MI, Wayne State Univ, Central MI Univ, Grand Valley State Univ, Univ of Detroit Mercy, Western MI Univ.

I'm basically following my boyfriend to MI otherwise he won't take the promotion. The editor of Detroit has moved here to OC, and now my boyfriend is switching places with him. I haven't told my parents, family, and friends yet...so any advice would be appreciated! Thanx!

[RedWingsFan]

The northern suburbs of Detroit are nice. Try to stay above 16 mile road. Look to Troy, Rochester, Rochester Hills, and place like that. Keep in mind that Detroit is the most segregated major city in the country. The city of Detroit is 80 percent black while the suburbs are like 90 percent white. Anything south of 8 mile road is Detroit. But you don't want to live around 9/10 mile either because they aren't good. Go out further to be safer and in a nicer place. My family lives in Troy and Clarkston and they are both very nice places. Troy is closer to the city and has lots to offer. It's also a very safe city with great schools. Of the schools you mentioned, Wayne State would not be a far freeway drive. U of M also has a Dearborn campus that wouldn't be far either. The other schools are a bit of a drive/distance or not in neighborhoods that you would want to really drive through.

[Fidel]

Stay the Hell out of Troy or Clarkston they are souless corporate strip mall cities. If you want any fun here at all stay near Woodward Ave. preferably Royal Oak, Ferndale or Birmingham. You will be bored silly with Troy or Clarkston. Detroit is coming back, do yourself a favor and get nearer to it. I'm not saying you have to move there, but the Woodward cooridor from Birmingham to Ferndale is where it's at.

[Rohan]

I don't recommend Troy, as the previous poster puts it, soulless city. Rochester Hills is OK, but they have a growing Asian and African American population. However the housing market in Rochester is even worse than most other places, so you can get a nice big house there for CHEAP. Almost everything worthwhile is a commute from Rochester, which makes it unattractive to most people, and why the housing was the first to burst.

If you want to be in the center of the action, Royal Oak is the place. If you have kids, consider Berkley over Royal Oak for the better school situation. Ferndale, Madison Heights and Hazel Park are best avoided. Clawson is ok, but the downtown is pathetic, and housing isn't much cheaper than Royal Oak.

School wise, Royal Oak and Berkley will put you in the center of the world here. If you get a nursing degree, you will be 1-3 miles from the highest paying Hospital in the state - located right in Royal Oak.

Finally, I would caution you to RECONSIDER moving here. Michigan is dying hard and fast, and the auto industry is at the forefront of the death. I wouldn't take a job in the automotive industry if you put a gun to my head, because they'd probably lay me off in a month the way things are going. The fact of the matter is, Michigan is bad, and getting worse in terms of the job market and economic conditions.

[RedWingsFan]

It's very nice there and Troy is one of the safest cities in the country. In the rankings put out by Morgan Quitno press they are ranked number 12 for the safest city in the nation! Here's the link: morganquitno.com/cit05pop.htm. My family almost all still lives in Troy and it's very nice there, lots of shopping, restaurants... but there is a growing Asian community. Personally I wouldn't move to Royal Oak. Housing is too expensive for such a downhill area. I'd look out further - Troy, Clarkston, Bloomfield...

[TrippingJay]

I would look for something in Central Oakland County. Places such as Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills/Twp, western Troy, West Bloomfield, Beverly Hills, Farmington Hills, & the downtown section of Royal Oak would be ideal places as they have abudant housing, excellent schools, very low crime and are conviently located close to everything. Plus the cost of living will seem "cheap" compared to Orange County.

Personally I would choose Troy or Birmingham, as Troy has a good local goverment and offers its residents phenomenal services including the Troy Community Center, which helped Troy receive the Sports Illustrated City of the Year award.

In terms of Universities, the local ones are Wayne State, Oakland and Detroit Mercy. MSU is in East Lansing which is approx 1.5 Hours from Detroit, and U Mich is in Ann Arbor which can be 45-1 hr from Detroit.

[Angel Bear]

Too bad we couldn't trade LOL...I am in Metro-Detroit and hubby and I are considering relocation to South Orange County Hee hee!

Okay, first off, having visited Orange County and most of So. Cal., I can say you will have 'culture shock' once you move here. You guys have much more to do and see in So. Cal.

But, the most shock though is the cold winters, however...But, I don't want to discourage you from your plans.

BTW, Troy is nice, but you know, you can get more house in Macomb County as a general rule...I think we're friendlier here and have more fun...Our taxes are lower too for the most part

But, I believe by far the best two cities to consider living in for you would be either Ann Arbor or Royal Oak. I went to University of Michigan in Ann Arbor undergrad. I still go for football games and frequently to visit. It has everything (almost) culturally and such that you may miss from So. Cal.

Of the suburbs, Royal Oak is the coolest place to be (it's Oakland County--Hey, we have an OC in Michigan too LOL--People pretend they have money though and buy big houses and cars--sorry, my bad...I'm sarcastic). After I spent time in Seattle and So. Cal. though, I must say, Royal Oak paled in comparison, but hey, it's what we have here in Michigan.

I myself live in Utica, BTW, north of 19 Mile LOL. It is closer to my hubby's job. And, yes, he works with a major automotive company as an engineer. You know, it is true that the auto companies are having issues, but things will eventually turn around...or maybe not. I'm not worried...We both have degrees and can move 'cause we don't have kids.

No one can predict the future, so best to follow your heart and go where you are meant to be for now I'm a big believer in following your heart...As my friend says, you don't need to know what you're going to do when you 'grow up'...you just need to know your next step.

As far as schooling goes, I'm a bit biased...I like University of Michigan. You may want to check Wayne State University too...Even though the school is in Detroit, you can commute fairly easily from any suburban area in Metro Detroit. You may have to pay out of state tuition, so you may want to check on the requirements on that, just FYI. Also, many of the major colleges and universities here have 'satellite' locations away from main campus that are in the suburbs, but that may not apply to the nursing programs.

Feel free to message me if you want more information...Best of luck and best wishes with the plans...

[SoCalGuy]

Hi - I'm new to this forum. I was born in Royal Oak (Beaumont Hospital), then moved to So Cal in 1962 (via a GM transfer for my dad). I've enjoyed reading some of your posts on Royal Oak, Ferndale, etc.

[GinaJ]

Hi. I actually was born here in michigan in west bloomfield/farmington hills area. I lived in ca in ventura county for awhile this past year. As for areas where I live is a safe area. In royal oak/birmingham its more young people and trying to be a more town atmopsphere. I'm not into clubs and do attend college. There are many community colleges like occ that are less expensive. I go to oakland university because Im older and didn't want to live in dorms. I like it pretty well. I have friends who went to uof m,state, they liked that too. My friend goes to wayne and a good thing is there is a few locations. I would suggest depending where the job is and you go to school look for living in that area. Driving long distances can be a hassel. Ann arbor is a nice quaint town. Also on expense level it can vary even from mile to mile.Like renting a small house in birmingham could cost a fortune but in troy could be affordable.Its very cold here/snowy as you know and actually I'm thinking of moving to fl though nervous at the idea. If you have any ? please ask.

[miOaklandCounty]

Where you can live is going to depend upon your budget. Prices vary significantly from town to town, as do taxes. Western MI and some of the other schools you mentioned are too far from Detroit.