[firecracker123]

Ok, tried a few searches and it baffles me why there isn't as much talk on Sterling Heights? We are looking to move this summer there and am between Troy, Bloomfield and Birmingham, but then noticed Sterling Heights? Hubby will be driving to Detroit (around the Warren, possibly HIghland Park area - not sure of this)....we need super schools, sports, and community....have 3 kids....

Anyone?

[sugarbeet]

Sterling Heights is a nice, safe community, but it is generally considered less desirable as far as schools when compared to Troy or Bloomfield. Sterling Heights is also far less pretigious than the aforementioned. Part of it is Oakland County vs. Macomb County, but SH also is less prestigious than neighboring Shelby Township and other parts of Macomb County.

Your post didn't mention where you currently live, so I'm not sure if you're aware of the perceived prestige "ranking" of Detroit's suburbs. Although all metro areas have these "rankings," the Detroit area's seems to be more acutely defined than other places I've lived. My theory is that it's because so many who live in the area have had family here at least a couple of generations.

If you don't care about prestige and are looking for a nice, safe community then Sterling Heights is it. However, you might might be able to get a similar home in Troy and the schools are almost inarguably better. It's also more prestigious, but not snooty like Birmingham/Bloomfield.

[firecracker123]

Thanks!!! I currently reside in a sub of Toronto, Canada, and my top priority will be good schools....the best I can provide my kids - we were afraid to have to send them to private (you won't believe what the rumours up here lead you to believe lol) but of course would are thrilled to be able to send them to public....prestige? Though we are both very much down to Earth and have come up working for all we have received, my husband and I both enjoy living in a community with upper middle to perhaps upper class affluence. We have worked very hard for this and your post is very helpful in helping me to decide.....looking for 4+ bedrooms with bigger homes and lots and community involvement and great schools...so the aforementioned Troy, Bloomfield and Birmingham sounds about right

Cheers!

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by firecracker123

Thanks!!! I currently reside in a sub of Toronto, Canada, and my top priority will be good schools....the best I can provide my kids - we were afraid to have to send them to private (you won't believe what the rumours up here lead you to believe lol) but of course would are thrilled to be able to send them to public....prestige? Though we are both very much down to Earth and have come up working for all we have received, my husband and I both enjoy living in a community with upper middle to perhaps upper class affluence. We have worked very hard for this and your post is very helpful in helping me to decide.....looking for 4+ bedrooms with bigger homes and lots and community involvement and great schools...so the aforementioned Troy, Bloomfield and Birmingham sounds about right

Cheers!

Based purely on schools, B'ham would be #1 while Troy and Bloomfield would be close behind, #1a if you will. B'ham, Grosse Pointe, and East Grand Rapids are generally considered the three best school districts in MI.

[irondesk2005]

How would Fraser area and schools compare?

[sugarbeet]

Fraser is similar to Sterling Heights: a nice community but zero prestige (if you care) and average schools.

[Dexterguy]

I would consider Sterling Heights, houses are know more inexpensive than they once were. For better schools look toward Troy or Birmingham, if you can afford it look into Bloomfield Twp. or Bloomfield Hills these both have EXCELLENT schools, rated best in the state and country.

[firecracker123]

Thank you -- today my husband is in a meeting in Deroit as we speak and hopefully he will know where his new plant (yet to be built/leased) will be located. But for the most part we are looking at Tory, Birmingham, Bloomfield (maybe) ... but I also like Rochester Hills (IF he ends up working in the Warren/Troy area)....so much depends on this meeting

I almost hate that we can get such a nice him there for so little right now...my current home is in the 2600 sq ft range and though on a decent lot, is nowhere near the size of the lots down there. For us to move up to the even a 3200 sq ft home and a slightly bigger lot (nowhere near the size down there) it would cost us at LEAST 600,000 (in Aurora, where we were looking) so we are looking forward to being able to purchase a home for a lot less. Though this makes me smile, the reason I can do this does not. I hope the recession doesn't last too long

[Cato the Elder]

If you can afford a 2000+ sq. ft. home, I wouldn't worry too much, especially if it's in any of the top suburbs. Besides, it sounds like you plan on staying for at least several years. My general impression is that the ubiquitous <1500 sq. ft. bungalows and million+ dollar homes are the ones languishing on the market for obvious reasons. You can always try to time the market, but you have to balance that with real life that demands a bit of stability and sense of getting settled. My observation is that the homes you are looking at are fairly stable, as the demographic they cater to (younger, established professionals) are doing fairly well in the state.

[firecracker123]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

If you can afford a 2000+ sq. ft. home, I wouldn't worry too much, especially if it's in any of the top suburbs. Besides, it sounds like you plan on staying for at least several years. My general impression is that the ubiquitous <1500 sq. ft. bungalows and million+ dollar homes are the ones languishing on the market for obvious reasons. You can always try to time the market, but you have to balance that with real life that demands a bit of stability and sense of getting settled. My observation is that the homes you are looking at are fairly stable, as the demographic they cater to (younger, established professionals) are doing fairly well in the state.

Thank you for this We are looking for a 3000-4000 square foot home - partly because we need the extra space for long term visitors (lol -- though my mum can stay only so long) that a 5th basement bedroom offers. We also want a fairly large lot to eventually put in a pool (or perhaps find one with one already). So yeah, we are planning on staying for a while. And Troy jsut keeps looking better and bette (liking Rochester/Hills too though - Birm and Bloom. not as much)