[Josie479]

My husband, daughter and I are moving to Michigan this summer. His new job is in Southfield. We need some guidance as to where to look to live (and we don't think Southfield is for us). Here are our priorities:
No more than a 15-20 minute commute
Walkable community
Lots of parks
Vibrant downtown area with some culture
Family friendly
Good School system (elementary)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've been reading peoples opinions about the buying vs. renting issue. Renting goes against every grain in my body, but for the areas you suggest could you please also note if you would rent or buy and why. We're planning on being there 3-5 years. We're coming house hunting in the very near future and I would like to have a decision made about renting vs buying when we arrive.

Many Thanks

[cardwellave]

The only vibrant downtowns close to Southfield are Royal Oak and Ferndale really.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Josie479

My husband, daughter and I are moving to Michigan this summer. His new job is in Southfield. We need some guidance as to where to look to live (and we don't think Southfield is for us). Here are our priorities:
No more than a 15-20 minute commute
Walkable community
Lots of parks
Vibrant downtown area with some culture
Family friendly
Good School system (elementary)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've been reading peoples opinions about the buying vs. renting issue. Renting goes against every grain in my body, but for the areas you suggest could you please also note if you would rent or buy and why. We're planning on being there 3-5 years. We're coming house hunting in the very near future and I would like to have a decision made about renting vs buying when we arrive.

Many Thanks

Maybe the current economy changes things, but I always read that if you're not going to live in a home for over 5 years, renting might be the better way to go.

[trmaoy]

As far as where to live, I would suggest Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield or Birmingham. Birmingham probably has the best downtown of the three. All have excellent schools. They are all within easy access to every kind of grocery or shopping you could want. They are not inexpensive though. I believe in buying over renting, but with the housing market the way it is, you may not see any appreciation in 3 - 5 years, or very little.

[millennialmom]

Welcome to Michigan ... My vote would be Birmingham. It's the more upscale choice but there are a ton of houses for sale in Birmingham ... with such a supply, you should be able to find a motivated seller and a reasonable price. It would be a 10-15 minute commute depending on where in Southfield. The school system is top notch. Good Luck in your search.

[Coldjensens]

Look around, it really depends on you. You will have to take time to get to know each area. Brimingham has a really nice downtown and good schools. Many people claim it is incredibly snobby and pretentious though. Parts of Bllomfield hills are very nice, some areas are kind of rural. Royal Oak has a neat lively downtown, but may be more urban than what you are looking for, plus not the best schools. Rochester is a bit of a drive, but has great schools and a nice downtown (again some claim it is snobby, here I disagree). Some of the Grosse Pointe cities may be within your range.

There is a small villiage not even idenfied as a seperate place that has outstanding schools and is supposed to be nice. I think it is mostly 1950s homes. I do not remember what is it called. It is either part of or immediately adjoining southfield.

Franklin Villiage is pretty neat, but pricey.

You really need to go to these places look around, try to meet people who live there and some who do nto, check school information on City data. It is tough. You could rent first to make certain that you made the best choice, but who wants to move their kids more than once? However if you rent for a year, you may avoid losing money on your house.

[cardwellave]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

There is a small villiage not even idenfied as a seperate place that has outstanding schools and is supposed to be nice. I think it is mostly 1950s homes. I do not remember what is it called. It is either part of or immediately adjoining southfield.

Lathrup Village?

Lathrup to me has always been a lot like Southfield. Take that as you please.

Or do you mean Beverly Hills? That is a pretty nice place, pretty small though. Might have a hard time finding a house that you like.

[mom2bal]

Birmingham! Great area!

[Augustmoon]

We came to Birmingham 2 years ago on a 5 year contract ( we live on the Southfield Road end so only 10-15 mins to Southfield) and we opted to rent rather than buy because the housing market appeared so volitile.

So we found a great family home with lots of space, heaps of character and no taxes to pay!
( Birmingham's are VERY high)

Two years on and I'm glad we made that choice as my husbands company is about to be relocated this summer, so we would have had a house on our hands to sell in a very difficult market.
I have loved my time in Birmingham, it is a wonderful city to live in and if you are only going to be here for a few years I would totally recommend it.
It has a fabulous downtown, great restaurants, very good library and wonderful parks. It comes alive in the summer with art festivals and concerts in the parks and it has a great farmers market.
We can walk to everywhere in Birmingham from our house - everything is about 10-15mins walk and you will find that with most of the housing areas in Birmingham.
It also has some of the best schools in the country.
Well worth considering.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by Josie479

My husband, daughter and I are moving to Michigan this summer. His new job is in Southfield. We need some guidance as to where to look to live (and we don't think Southfield is for us). Here are our priorities:
No more than a 15-20 minute commute
Walkable community
Lots of parks
Vibrant downtown area with some culture
Family friendly
Good School system (elementary)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've been reading peoples opinions about the buying vs. renting issue. Renting goes against every grain in my body, but for the areas you suggest could you please also note if you would rent or buy and why. We're planning on being there 3-5 years. We're coming house hunting in the very near future and I would like to have a decision made about renting vs buying when we arrive.

Many Thanks

I would recommend Ann Arbor to met ALL those requirements, but brace yourselves for really steep home prices that you won't be able to bargain down. To get lower prices but a trade-off in the sense of a downtown that could be described as "Siberian" rather than "vibrant," try Livingston County -- Brighton, Howell, Pinckney, South Lyon, Milford. All about half an hour or less from Southfield and the bright lights of Washtenaw and Oakland counties. Asking prices for homes are high but you can easily haggle them down to 2/3 of what the place is worth. Or call the banks and ask to see their repo lists. Thye are long and currently include many elegant homes going for a song.