[Coldjensens]

Go look at the schools and what they offer.

We looked for years for a place with older homes, characther, community oriented, within a reasonable drive of DTW, and good scools.

We ended up with he following list:

Grosse Pointe(s); Grosse Ile; Plymouth; Northville; South Lyon;
Ann Arbor; Birmingham; Marshall (too far away); and Indian Viliage in Detroit.

We choose Grosse Ile because we wanted to get away from crowded suburban living (we ahd already done that), we liked the small schools and we wanted to live on/near the water.

Grosse Pointe fit most of our criteria, except that it is not ruralish, and the schools are pretty large (but really nice).
Plymouth was our second choice (no water, too similar to where we previously lived and the schools were big). Grosse Pointe was third.

It really depends on what you want. Every area has advantages and disadvantages. If there is any way possible, you should try renting for a while to make sure that your chosen community is right for you and to make sure that you did not overlook somewhere that would be better for you and your family. Besides, prices are still falling in most areas. Why throw your money away?

[G.P. Steve]

I can certainly mirror most of the pro GP posts here on this forum. I grew up in GPW, moved away for 10 years or so & couldnt wait to move back to the area. From the city services, Woods park, excellent schools, neighborhood club, to the beautiful surroundings, the GP area really cant be beat.

I currently live in Harper Woods & fortunately enjoy GP schools. We live on 1 of 2 streets in Harper Woods that can attend "Monteith Elementary". My wife & I have nothing but praise for this school, great teachers, involved parents, sound administration. Now, Parcells Middle School & GP North HS do have a current reputation for being in "decline". My wife & I have considered moving to GP Farms in order to get into Brownell & GP South to avoid the former, but the current housing market is in "decline". If you are looking in GPP, I know of a listing (Bedford) of a very dear friend that relocated his family to NC and is anxious to sell his home. Hope this helps!

Steve

[saraht]

I relocated here from Atlanta (I lived in Troy/Birmingham area years ago). I chose GP because it is a small town with beautiful older homes and The BEST schools. It is a small family oriented community with wonderful schools. It is like the MAYBERRY of Detroit. Easy access to 94 696 and downtown Detroit. Beautiful Lake (real lake 0- not the ponds on the west side!) and FREE city parks with nice pools and ammenities. For the money and I looked all over the area (Rochester, Troy, Birmingham, Novi, Royal Oak, Northville,etc.) and found this is the best place for the money and the ammenities. Kids walk or ride their bikes everywhere. Very hometowny place to raise kids. Extremely low crime rate, excellent city services (roads and sidewalks are cleared almost immediately after a snow). Garbage collection is directly from your garage, etc.

[saraht]

CHeck out Grosse pointe. THe city and farms are excellent and have the best schools around. Great family place to live with activities, etc. Find a realtor that is from here and they will show you that there is no better place to live in the Detroit area than GP.

[trulyadiva]

Happy?
I'm looking at a property 2 blocks from Mack on Neff, what do you think of that area?
I have no clue but am getting alot of feedback and info but of course there are sooooo many opinions it's hard to decide where I should be looking. I understand that of course, everyone has a different opinion and taste.

It's just my husband and I and we are in our mid fifties but do have small children that will be visiting and I'd love to be able to safely walk with them to parks and other activities but am afraid of the border of Detroit being so close.

I've worked in Detroit around seven mile and mound and the people out that way are pretty scary to say the least, I'm assuming I won't be anywhere near that but I'm very leary having experienced some pretty bad situations.

I hope no one is offended here by that. I live in Canada in an area where there is virtually no crime so it's a large concern of mine.

Also Many say the School system is impeccable and yet others say the it's drug infested, Geesh, that's a big difference in opinions.

There is a possibility of my children moving there too and as you can imagine a large concern is the schools they will attend.

[Ann_Arbor]

Don't fear being close to Detriot- it's actually safer to be near a city or in an old, more walkable suburb than it is to be in a car-oriented exurb, like many in Detroit metro.

[trulyadiva]

Have you been in Detroit lately?

[tod]

Originally Posted by itsgood2beme

[font="Century Gothic"][color="SeaGreen"]Grosse Pointe is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

Someone above mentioned it is too close to Detroit - big deal, having grown up in Grosse Pointe - it is a VERY SAFE PLACE to live and the police are always out and in force, unlike other places!!!

I moved back to Michigan after spending 8 years in Chicago and the ONLY place I could see myself moving to was Grosse Pointe.

Grosse Pointe has so much to offer ~ you have the lake, yes- taxes are higher - why, you pay for a quality education and you aren't forced to send your children to private school!

Plus, the city actually comes through and removes the snow off your sidewalk for you, plus the streets are always taken care of in the winter -can't say that for a lot of other places in Michigan!!!

Plus, your taxes include rights to a private park - most people would consider it a mini yacht club - boating facilities, beaches, pools, tennis courts, boat house - for your personal use, etc...the list goes on.

You really do get what you pay for! i could go on and on about Grosse Pointe....if you would like check out this site for info on Grosse Pointe....

do not live in any of they grosse pointes or cities around it. i lived ingrosse pointe woods. very racist taxes too high homes are too old, rudd people. i went to grosse pointe north for two kids were so mean and racist. am turkish. i moved to troy last summer. i go to troy high school. better kids better teacher and students clean school that';s divery unlike grosse pointe north and south were they kids call the black by the N-WORD. TROY FARMIGTON BLOOFLIED ETC. ARE THE BEST PEOPLE AND BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN.

[plannine]

Originally Posted by khfar

Can anyone give me more information on this area? Like elementary schools, are there young people living there, kids? We are being relocated to Detroit from Texas, and are looking into the suburbs. From what I see on Realtor.com, the GP area is the only thing I've found that has the type of houses we like. We're not really into new builds, we prefer older, updated homes. Are there any other areas like that?

Thanks a lot!

K

In Oakland County, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge, Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills all have similar type homes to the Pointes. Birmingham and Bloomfield have very good schools, while many in the other communities send their kids to public school for the early years, then to Roeper, Country Day or Cranbrook for High School. Grosse Isle (in Wayne County}is also nice, and has many classic style homes.

A lot depends on where you work, as you really do not want to spend alot of time stuck in crosstown traffic, and what activities your family participates in. (long commutes in winter is no fun, even for life long michigan residents!)

Don't just look at realtor's info and pictures, you need to spend some time walking in the neighborhoods. You will find that some might be "safe" but not very "friendly". Thats the only thing I found negitive from the area.

[suydam]

If I was moving to Detroit I would concentrate my search on the GPs and B'ham. They're the two most walkable (mix of sidewalks, older homes, pedestrian-friendly retail) communities. With the Grosse Pointes you get the lake too so I'd probably pick that just in terms of recreation opportunities.

The snooty reputation thing comes with every affluent suburb... I wouldn't put too much stok in that.

Plannine gives great advice. Within a great community, there are friendly and not-so-friendly neighborhoods. Your best bet is to go park your car and walk around. See what you come across. You'll quickly develop favorite parts of town.