[sugarbeet]

Although I haven't gathered any stats to support this, I would guess that you'll find more people like your family - new to the area - in Troy than in Birmingham, Bloomfield and the Grosse Pointes. These are more established wealthy areas, whereas Troy is affluent but a newer city. I think the latter attracts out-of-staters.

[Cato the Elder]

As long as you don't mind not having a dense, developed downtown, Troy is a great place - larger and newer homes/lots with very good schools. I also think that the location is ideal - shopping, all the downtowns along Woodward, I-75, etc. We looked into Rochester ourselves b/c of its history, but it was a bit too out of the way for us.

Around here in Royal Oak and other relatively expensive towns, I know many families move to Troy once they have a second or third kid. It's not easy finding an affordable home in these towns that's over 1500 sq. ft. Do keep in mind that basements, finished or not, aren't counted in the square footage. So when you say 3000-4000 sq. ft. including a basement, you're probably talking more around 2000-3000 in the official listing.

Good luck!

[firecracker123]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

As long as you don't mind not having a dense, developed downtown, Troy is a great place - larger and newer homes/lots with very good schools. I also think that the location is ideal - shopping, all the downtowns along Woodward, I-75, etc. We looked into Rochester ourselves b/c of its history, but it was a bit too out of the way for us.

Around here in Royal Oak and other relatively expensive towns, I know many families move to Troy once they have a second or third kid. It's not easy finding an affordable home in these towns that's over 1500 sq. ft. Do keep in mind that basements, finished or not, aren't counted in the square footage. So when you say 3000-4000 sq. ft. including a basement, you're probably talking more around 2000-3000 in the official listing.

Good luck!

Thanks!!! I am not including the basement in these measurements though --- we have a finished basement now and I would either need a home with one or have it done before winter (I am a Personal trainer and fitness competitor so my gym is a must, as well as needing the space for the kiddies to be in the colder months).....Troy seems more in line with us - my husbands new boss suggested a lot of new comers call Troy home and it's the perfect locaiton for us - though he will still have a 30 min drive or so I suspect, but leaving at 6:30 and coming home at 6:30 I hope can help him avoid the typical congested times

You have all been so helpful and I thank you...now I am drumming my fingers waiting to visit.

[Cato the Elder]

From my experience, you will not have trouble traveling on I-75 at 6:30 - morning or night. It's gets hairy around 8-9am and 5-6pm, but still, it's nothing compared to any of the other top 20 metropolitan areas.

[terrym2442]

Hi,

If you are looking for a pretty neighborhood with gorgeous homes, go with Birmingham or Bloomfield Hills. Birmingham is on the whole, more of a kid-oriented neighborhood in that it has side walks and you can practically walk into the downtown area.

Troy has, for the most part, less trees and "green", but the houses are more affordable.

Bloomfield Hills is considered to be more upper crust. The schools in all 3 districts are excellent. However, IF you need special ed for any of your kids, stay away from Birmingham.

As for Sterling Heights, I agree with what othres have said. It's a nice area, but historically was more blue collar, though that is changing in some areas.

Hope this helps- welcome to Michigan!

[firecracker123]

Originally Posted by terrym2442

Hi,

If you are looking for a pretty neighborhood with gorgeous homes, go with Birmingham or Bloomfield Hills. Birmingham is on the whole, more of a kid-oriented neighborhood in that it has side walks and you can practically walk into the downtown area.

Troy has, for the most part, less trees and "green", but the houses are more affordable.

Bloomfield Hills is considered to be more upper crust. The schools in all 3 districts are excellent. However, IF you need special ed for any of your kids, stay away from Birmingham.

As for Sterling Heights, I agree with what othres have said. It's a nice area, but historically was more blue collar, though that is changing in some areas.

Hope this helps- welcome to Michigan!

Thanks so much for this ---- we met with our real estate agent yesterday and will start the painting, repairs etc we need to have this house listed in mid-end Feb. up here we can get 90-120 days of closing, but even if it closes slightly early, we can stay at a hotel and store our belongings ... we are concerned that the poor house market south of us will reach us by Spring....that being the case, I CAN'T wait to see Oakland County. I have already requested new residents' packages from a few of the cities/towns and such. The areas I am looking consistenly are Troy, Brimingham and Bloomfield (maybe, not crazy about it so far....we have a slightly older house and was looking forward to having a newer home actually - far from the usual I know)...we are also having to sell one of our vehicles here (the Honda Ody. probably) prior and purchase an American car. So that will take up some time too

[terrym2442]

You're making good progress!
As for newer homes, you have a better shot at that in Troy vs Birmingham, which tends to be older. There are some areas in Bloomfield that may have newer homes, but it'll cost more than in Troy. Keep in mind that both B'ham and Bloomfield Hills are pretty costly. If that's an issue, Troy might be best. Rochester Hills is actually very nice and there are lots of newer homes there.

[firecracker123]

Originally Posted by terrym2442

You're making good progress!
As for newer homes, you have a better shot at that in Troy vs Birmingham, which tends to be older. There are some areas in Bloomfield that may have newer homes, but it'll cost more than in Troy. Keep in mind that both B'ham and Bloomfield Hills are pretty costly. If that's an issue, Troy might be best. Rochester Hills is actually very nice and there are lots of newer homes there.

Thanks for the info! I am a type A through and through and I am unable to procrastinate, it is a good quality to have, though not always

Fortunately for us, the market allows us to look into all three areas....my husband and I are not wanting to take out a huge mortgage (if at all), we have worked too hard to bring our current one down to a negligible amount..that being the case, we want a newer home within the 4+1 bedroom that is around the 3400-3700 sq ft (hey, any bigger and I'll be miserable since I am the maid and type A -- so a duster in my hand at all times lol)....yet at the same time I do not see the value on purchasing the biggest home we can, it makes no sense to me, I would rather get the "have tos" and compromise than include the "want tos" and pay for it (with the bank AND my back)

All this rambling simply means (lol) moving to Birmingham/bloomfield for the area is not as important to me as getting the home we need and want with good schools. If we see one in Birmingham we love, great, if the house we love happens to be in Troy, awesome. Bloomfield? High fives. We are after a certain home with great schools. Not necessarily an area

Oh boy the real estate agent is going to LOVE us ... (total sarcasm here)