Moving to Michigan in Summer 2008 (Detroit, Grand Rapids: transplants, budget, vacation)

[lilbear]

I grew up in Commerce Twp. It's a very nice little area. I loved it. Close to things but you're not right in the middle of all the shopping centers with all the traffic. But what I want to mention is that you're coming from TX to MI, that means get used to a high gas bill. Right now, average gas (for heating, cooking, dryer) can run ya an easy $150 min per month. The gas and electric companies charge a fee of about $20 or $30/mo just to send you the gas or electricity. Kinda stupid. Unless you get a place that is all electric, but most places in that area aren't all electric.

Just something to think about.

[One Thousand]

Ohhh, I love White Castle. I miss Rally's too.

[cardwellave]

Originally Posted by One Thousand

Ohhh, I love White Castle. I miss Rally's too.

Rally's is nonexistant. The few that were left open became Checker's, which is apparantly what Rally's was called in the other half of the country.

[SweetBeth]

Originally Posted by lilbear

I grew up in Commerce Twp. It's a very nice little area. I loved it. Close to things but you're not right in the middle of all the shopping centers with all the traffic. But what I want to mention is that you're coming from TX to MI, that means get used to a high gas bill. Right now, average gas (for heating, cooking, dryer) can run ya an easy $150 min per month. The gas and electric companies charge a fee of about $20 or $30/mo just to send you the gas or electricity. Kinda stupid. Unless you get a place that is all electric, but most places in that area aren't all electric.

Just something to think about.

Can you tell me a little more about Commerce Township? I am reading every word and making notes. I am really thankful for all the restaurant information too. I am grasping at any and all information about the area. For example, when considering homes, what is to be expected? I live in an area where a 3 car garage is standard. I am guessing that may not be very popular in this area. Also, no basements in my area. Any info?

My gas bill was $198 last month, so $150 would be nice. That is encouraging.

My husband will be working in the Commerce Township area and I would love for him to have the ability to come home for lunch occasionally. So, I'm only considering areas close or close by.

Will snow be a large factor? Is there a place to find out about snow routes?

Any and all information regarding relocation would be greatly appreciated!! Can anyone tell about some surprises after relocation?

All stories welcome, good or bad.

[cardwellave]

Commerce is a pretty area. It's fairly wooded; lots of trees. My uncle lives there. The roads are generally short and curvy around the lakes and such.

I would say snow will be a factor in the winter. However it also depends how snowy that year is. This year was one of the most EVER, but the past few have been sparse. Commerce Twsp has a lot of narrow two lane roads (Oakley Park, Benstein, Glengary, Welch, Loon Lake) so I don't know how well they get plowed.

As I mentioned there are a lot of lakes out there. You'll probably spend a good amount of time in Walled Lake and Wixom as well. Wixom has sort of the downtownish area on Wixom Rd and Pontiac Trail. It's quaint but not a whole lot to do. You're also close to Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi. One of the best in Metro Detroit.

Commerce homes run the gammet. There are condos in "downtown" Wixom, Commerce has older cottages when the area was a retreat for Detroiters, ranches like my uncle's (70s ranch with an addition, 2 car garage, full basement). Basements are pretty common. Garages can run for none to manyyy car, but I'd say 2-2 1/2 is common. There are lots of newer neighborhoods, and some older. Lots of lakes also, so if you want to live on a lake that option is there. There are a number of 50s ranches and things like that, but lots of big new colonials and things also.

Hope that helps.

[Coldjensens]

Almost all homes have basements. Some homes have three car garages. Some have four. I think that two or three is the norm. Many places very few people actually put their cars in their garage. Cars sit outside, Garages are used for storage.

A gas bill of $150 would be awesome. I will not tell you what we pay.

Almost all homes have basements. I would not buy one here without a basement.


It is pretty easy to get a home with a little bit of land. 1 to 3 acres is not unusual unless you are in a subdivision or an older city.

People can be harder to get to know here, but more truly friendly once you know them.

You need to love sports or learn to love sports. This is a sports town.

There are two major newspapers The Detroit News and The Detroit free Press. They are different and yet they are the same. On Sunday, they are one, but on Monday they are at opposite ends of the social spectrum.

Snow is less a factor than cold is. You need a lot of different clothing.

Meyers is open 24 hours in many places. They have sales that run to 70% off off season clothing. Not great quality, but at their sale prices, you can afford to wear things once and throw them away. (try $3.00 for a pair of jeans if you get lucky)

[cardwellave]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

You need to love sports or learn to love sports. This is a sports town.

There are two major newspapers The Detroit News and The Detroit free Press. They are different and yet they are the same. On Sunday, they are one, but on Monday they are at opposite ends of the social spectrum.

Snow is less a factor than cold is. You need a lot of different clothing.

Meyers is open 24 hours in many places. They have sales that run to 70% off off season clothing. Not great quality, but at their sale prices, you can afford to wear things once and throw them away. (try $3.00 for a pair of jeans if you get lucky)

Not completely true, I hate sports and I'm quite happy here. I disagree that it's a "sports town". I think a lot of people wish it was. Red Wings lost their following, the Lions are a joke. Tigers have the most loyal fanbase. But I digress.

Agree on the newspapers. I haven't kept up since the merger or whatever with the two, but I thought somehow the one was going to become the other.

The weather is pretty unpredictable. Though it gets tiring FAST hearing people say "that's Michigan weather". I think weather climates changing is pretty much the norm anywhere. Almost as annoying as those T-Shirts that say Michigan's seasons are winter and road construction or that our state bird is the mosquito. Since when are we a bayou state with a mosquito problem? We're not.

Meijer is a great store. It's like Wal-Mart but better, and it supports a Michigan based business. I think they have decent quality, as mentioned great deals, and have a much better selection than Target. In my experience, most people I know don't shop Wal-Mart (there really weren't a lot around here until oh this year, they're expanding here), most shop and Meijer or Target. Almost everyone I know shops at Target, which in what I've seen is different than a lot of other places where Wal-Mart is king.

[SweetBeth]

[quote=Coldjensens;3422557]

A gas bill of $150 would be awesome. I will not tell you what we pay.

[nycjefftrain]

cardwell-

Detroit is definitely a sports town...hands down and by FAR!! Regardless of the economy, all 4 sports teams manage sell out crowds. The Wings had some issues this year but as the season went on it was back to normal. And now that they are in the playoffs, time for the bandwagon phonies to show up. The Tigers have already sold record breaking amounts of tix...all of this in a down economy. The Lions BLOW and sell out all of their games. The Pistons rock as usual.....Add in U of M with 107,000 seats sold out regularly and Detroit is a sports town.

[cardwellave]

I'll add that our water and electric bills have been high, but both hover between $100-$200. The gas bills go up in the winter with the heat, the electric go up in the summer with the A/C. And then there's those sweet periods on spring and summer where you don't use either and save money. So it sort of balances out.