Will be moving to the Detroit area (June 2008) (Warren, Farmington Hills: homes, condos)

[detshen]

I used to live in the Wayne State area and I really liked it, it's very safe and walkable and many students live there, but it's not a loud party school, grad students and working people live there too. I would definitely choose that area if I worked or still attended WSU. I understand you are nervous because it's a new city, maybe you could get a short term rental so you can check out some areas or see if you enjoy being close to work. Other than the city the Woodward area suburbs anywhere between Ferndale and royal oak are nice for a young couple. Troy is not close and you don't need to go that far to find a safe area. I think you will be surprised by the city. Good luck!

[deslok]

Just wanted to say these are some great posts. Ann Arbor area, or the downtown Detroit area for guy looking to rent are both fine. Get a luxury loft or condo and have at it!

[TigerDan]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Probably the most fun place for you is Ann Arbor, but it is more than an hour from Detroit. (About 1 hour 15 minutes in good weather and good traffic.)

I'm not too sure that it takes that long. I can make A2 in 1 Hour and 30 min. from Port Huron - going right through Detroit! I make downtown from PH in about 50 to 55 min. I'd say you could make A2 with good weather and good conditions in 35-45 min.
Of course, if you get caught in rush hour, it may easily take you over an hour.

It all depends on how far you're willing to drive, I know people that drive roundtrip everyday from Port Huron to Detroit and some all the way to downriver.

Personally, for a young couple, I think you've got to shoot for Royal Oak if you don't feel like making the drive to A2.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by TigerDan

. I'd say you could make A2 with good weather and good conditions in 35-45 min.

Yes you can, but not too many people drive 95 MPH on the freeway.

[Ivycreeping]

The sad truth is, you pretty much either have to risk your life or pay money if you don't want to commute.

Royal Oak and Ferndale are very good options, but they are a bit expensive. However, you can go up an exit on the highway or 2 and check out Rochester Hills. Troy is expensive.

You could also take a look at Taylor -- that's not far at all. Maybe even Wyandott

I'm going to have to go against some of the other posters; living in Ann Arbor while going to school at Wayne State University is absolutely ridiculous.

Good luck with school and finding a place!

[sugarbeet]

I like the area right around Wayne State - if you like city living than think about it. If you want something a little more residential, look into Ferndale, Royal Oak, Berkeley, Clawson. Troy is a nice community, but it will be a long commute to Wayne State from there and many of the cities closer to Detroit are terrific options.

[Dexterguy]

I'm not sure if anyone mentioned Hamtramck, a great little city for young people ready to rent or buy. You can get many GREAT deals on real estate.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by Ivycreeping

living in Ann Arbor while going to school at Wayne State University is absolutely ridiculous.

Whether it's ridiculous or not, a good number of WSU people, especially faculty, and others who work in the city do it. It's all about priorities. Most academics lived for years in a nice campus setting or a cosmopolitan city so you get used to the progressive environment. I work at U of M but live in Royal Oak b/c of family. People think I'm crazy for not moving to U of M, but again, it's about priorities.

[sikes0000]

My wife's ex went to medical school at Wayne State. He hated every minute of it (not the school just the location). You have to be careful where you walk around there. I have only been there a couple of times but its not a place to hang out. It was always stressed to be careful where you park, walk, eat. Maybe its changed in the last 5 years but I can't be sure. just my .02

Ann Arbor would be fun. You could live in Canton, Wayne area (city of), Taylor, Van Buren, Belleville, and find cheap apartments/homes that are a half hour in between both AA and Wayne State.

[ImaMichigander]

Sadly my family will be moving from SE MI in the next few months.

We live in a group of Communities know collectively as Downriver. (As we are down the Detroit River from Detroit.) We've lived in Southgate, Wyandotte and currently Brownstown. The Downriver Communities have a very small feel to them-- lots of people that live here grew up here. With that said, we adore our neighbors, there are restaurants with good food at reasonable prices, there are great Catholic Schools in the area- I can't speak for the public schools- and there are a lot of places that you can get to within 45 minutes of here. (Including Detroit (30 minutes), Toledo with a great zoo and Franklin Park Mall (45 min), Ann Arbor variety of cultural options, bars, shopping (45 min), Novi great restaurants and shopping (45 min).) Oh yeah, and Metro Airport is 10 minutes from my house, but we never hear air traffic-- and someone will always drive you to the airport so that you don't have to pay to park.

We love it here, and when my husband finished his Cardiology Fellowship, we could have move to just about any of the communities in SE MI. We chose here, and we chose this as a place that we would like to raise our 3 children. Alas, a job opportunity that is way too good to pass up has been offered....