[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by michiganirish

Stay out of Farmington, it looks nice but the city is taking a down turn. In fact I own a business there and it has taken such a dive in the last year that we are closing in June.

I truly have no idea what you are talking about and I grew up in Farmington Hills and still live in the area. It's taking a downturn you say? (To outsiders--note that Farmington is a tiny little village-like city that is surrounded on all four sides by Farmington Hills. The housing stock in Farmington is a little older and it's where the community began.)

The very southeast corner of Farmington Hills, perhaps the square mile bordered by Inkster, Middlebelt, 8 mile, and 9 mile is a little slummy simply because it borders Redford and Southfield, but otherwise Farmington Hills has held out pretty well and hasn't yet suffered a "white flight" (unlike what happened to Southfield, which borders Detroit, about twenty to twenty-five years ago...consequently, my family was part of the "flight").

If Farmington Hills is taking a downturn, it isn't specifically centered on Farmington Hills, but rather the entire region and the state of Michigan itself. Of course the economy will reverberate throughout the entire region, affecting even Bloomfield Hills.

If you don't mind my asking, what kind of business do you own?

[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by 19hsm

Farmington Hills will be close to where he will be working and I noticed that southfield is in HORRIBLE shape for home sales and was wondering if anyone had any areas where two people could find a decent house (with decent taxes - as i'm find out taxes are HORRIBLE in this area) for $125-$175K.

You should be very careful about purchasing a home in Michigan right now because the housing prices might not yet have begun to drop compared to what could happen to them. (I just hope my folks don't get soaked.) Have you considered just renting an apartment for a couple years until you can find either a sweetheart deal (and a heartbreaker for the seller) or until the bottom finally drops out of the local real estate market?

You can probably find a decent 2400 foot house in Farmington Hills for under $175,000, perhaps in the area of older construction closer to the border with Southfield. (Note that the area of Southfield that borders Farmington Hills is pretty decent.) You might also consider Livonia, but I think Farmington Hills is nicer and definitely more upscale (and it puts you in Oakland County). It might be tough to find something in that range in the areas to the west (Novi) and to the North (West Bloomfield) because as you continue west and north the areas take on an increasing amount of upper middle class character. I think you should avoid making a purchase in Southfield, especially if you have children who will use the public schools...it's...you'll see if you come to visit. (However, Southfield was a nice city about 25 years ago when I was in a Southfield elementary school.)

[SusanC]

You might try looking a little farther west. Ypsilanti is 30 miles from Farmington Hills, taking 275. It might take you 40-50 minutes to get to work at rush hour, but that's about average commute time here.
You might also look at Canton, Belleville, and Plymouth - nicer than Ypsi, but more expensive in areas. Ypsi has nice parts and not-so-nice parts. Take a couple of days to stay in the area, and drive around. The housing market here is such a buyer's market right now (due to pharmaceutical and auto industries leaving), you could rent for a few months and get a decent house for a good price. Unfortunately, if you are in the auto industry or in an industry even related to it, you might might want to reconsider Michigan (though I'm not sure Ohio is a great fall-back in this arena).

Good luck.

[clowngirl4]

Originally Posted by 19hsm

My husband and I are looking to relocate for his job either to Ohio or MI. Right now MI is his favorite as the position is better. I have been looking at housing and its evident that the housing issues in SE are running rampant. I was wondering what are some of the areas to avoid? Farmington Hills will be close to where he will be working and I noticed that southfield is in HORRIBLE shape for home sales and was wondering if anyone had any areas where two people could find a decent house (with decent taxes - as i'm find out taxes are HORRIBLE in this area) for $125-$175K.

You don't say if you have kids. Royal Oak is a nice choice for your price range. Try to stay above 12 Mile and between Campbell and Crooks. Good family neighboorhoods where people BBQ on the weekends and take walks in the evenings. But not a good commute to Farmington Hills area, dense High Speed Traffic. Farmington Hills used to be nice. Around the 13 Mile & Middlebelt area. Most folks from there moved to the Bloomfield Hills years ago. Clawson is super nice too. Maybe even better than Royal Oak. All areas have high taxes and very high sewer/water bills.

[clowngirl4]

Originally Posted by 19hsm

Thanks for your feedback. He will be working in farmington hills area so anything around that area (even 20 min commute or so) would be fine. The budget is limited (ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR PROPERTY TAXES!!! - what's up with that???!!??)

My husband is a medical student who is moving onto his training so employment isn't really a huge issue but what is an issue is areas to find housing and how to go about making an offer in a declining area.

I'm just wondering for those of you who live there, is this cyclical? Is MI doing anything to help turn their economy around? Do they see any rebounding in a few years?

In the past, the economy issues were cyclical. I have to say this time, it's not. In the past it was only one manufacturer with trouble Ford or Chrysler or GM. Now it's all three. People like to throw around that Fords losses were 17 mil, but ingore that GM lost 34 mil. And Pfizer just had a major closing too. This trickles down to suppliers/manufacturers closing down, then the stores those people shop at, then those that provide services to those stores. You get the picture. But you are not locked into long term here, only till he is through his schooling. Don't buy. Lots of fantastic properties are on the market where they have been for a long time, most would entertain an offer to rent to you. Be bold, make offers to rent. Michigan has a weak governor with no business plan. She has just been reelected. So don't expect much for the next four years.

[MyMichigan]

Originally Posted by RedWingsFan

On another note... Michigan missed it's big chance to do something to turn that place around. They should have not voted for Granholm again. Yet they did...

Michigan had no choice. Granholm's opponent was a loony tune.

[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by MyMichigan

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Michigan had no choice. Granholm's opponent was a loony tune.

That's what was so sad about the 2006 election. The choice was between Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. It's pretty pathetic that the Republicans couldn't find a halfway decent candidate.

[M TYPE X]

Both the Michigan Democrats and Michigan Republicans are intellectually bankrupt. The state will continue to slide.
The two parties are also dead in Ohio when it comes to ideas.

According to various "experts," communities such as Farmington and Farmington Hills, or Rochester and Rochester Hills, should merge.
The situation in Rochester/Rochester Hills is fairly adversarial; I don't know about Farmington. The letters in the Detroit News
sounded like people do not want a merge there, either.

[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

You can probably find a decent 2400 foot house in Farmington Hills for under $175,000, perhaps in the area of older construction closer to the border with Southfield.

I looked over some Homes magazines yesterday and I take that back. The asking prices for houses are still disconnected from reality. For a 2400 foot house in Farmington Hills that's in decent condition you'd probably need at least $200,000 and probably more than $250,000.

[southernlady5464]

My husband and I are looking to relocate for his job either to Ohio or MI.

Depends on where the JOB is located. All the places suggested are way too far for a commute from along the state line. Lots of people in Monroe Co (MI)work in Lucas Co (OH) and vice versa. I know WE go buy gas in the Toledo area most of the time. The tax on a gallon of gas is less. However groceries are about the same either way. Taxes are higher in OH but not by much.

To be honest, even the northern half of Monroe Co is a heck of commute for those working in OH.

No offense to the other posters but check the Monroe Co/Lucas Co areas. Liz