[TheTerminator]

What cities and/or zip codes in the Metro Detroit area have a high quality of life? By QOL I mean an overall clean area, low trash around the streets, clean water, good roads, good/low traffic, good schools, etc.

[animatedmartian]

Haha, good roads. That's completely nonexistent in Michigan even in the most affluent of areas. Not really sure what's defined as "good traffic" since pretty much everywhere will have traffic unless you're out in the boonies. Also water is pretty much the same all over the state unless you're drinking well water, but even then that's pretty clean.

But anyway, the city of highest QOL would probably be Bloomfield Hills. Then draw a line directly northeast and southwest to find suburbs of similar quality.

[chh]

There's plenty of rich detroit suburbs. The nicest would probably be bloomfield townhship, or West bloomfield township. If you're looking for ones that aren't quite as rich, look at Troy or royal oak area.

[canudigit]

For me it would be the northwestern suburbs such as Plymouth, Northville, Wixom, and Novi. That area is lovely.

[jaynarie]

Birmingham is probably my favorite!

[Arthur Digby Sellers]

As you see, everyone has their preference of suburbs. Some like a country-ish feel like South Lyon and others prefer older homes and classic architecture, like Birmingham. Most of the upper-crust burbs have been mentioned on here, but graphing the $/square foot for different suburbs on Zillow will give you your answer.

[newdixiegirl]

There's a difference between standard of living and quality of life. BIG difference.

Suburbs like Bloomfield Hills and West Bloomfield clearly have high standards of living, but quality of life? Not by my standards, and I say that as someone who worked in WB for years. Birmingham is better since it's a more walkable community with a downtown area and actual signs of life.

However, I much prefer Plymouth and Northville. But my top choice is Ann Arbor. Though it's not a big place, Ann Arbor is the shining star of Metro Detroit, imo.

[animatedmartian]

Originally Posted by newdixiegirl

However, I much prefer Plymouth and Northville. But my top choice is Ann Arbor. Though it's not a big place, Ann Arbor is the shining star of Metro Detroit, imo.

Although it's not apart of Metro Detroit. And Ann Arborites would actually get pretty offended at you for saying so. It's economy is completely independent of Metro Detroit's.

[newdixiegirl]

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

Although it's not apart of Metro Detroit. And Ann Arborites would actually get pretty offended at you for saying so. It's economy is completely independent of Metro Detroit's.

Yeah, you're right; I'm cheating. And I certainly don't want to offend Ann Arborites, but no other place in Metro Detroit comes close to it, quite frankly.

If I must play by the rules, then Northville gets my vote.

[Misterfurley]

Yeah, ann arbor is the most progressive liberal city in michigan - not exactly part of the detroit metro orbit. its unique really. Its the only and best place for tree huggers, hippies, geeks/nerds and techies. Its still part of the staid midwest though, so even a conservative repulbican would be OK with it.

As for detroit metro proper:
1. birmingham - walkable but too tony and arrogant - a great place to be still. congested.
2. bloomfield hills - rich and beautiful but the yards are so big that you dont get to know your neighbors
3. rochester hills - quite rich, comfy but a bit boring. Same goes for troy
4. St clair towns - old rich
5. Royal oak - long considered a more progressive liberal version of birmingham. Nowadays, it has gentrified itself right out of that and is too much like birmingham. Congested.
6. Berkely - kind of like Royal oak used to be. Same goes for ferndale - too close to the hood though.
7. Clarkston - a good mix of professionls and blue collars. Closer to state land and green belt, less congested. A bit boring though and no good restaurants.

For me, Ann arbor and the northern washtenaw county take the cake.