[deb68]

Don't know if you are still looking into MI- I would suggest Ohio over MI. Just because you have a job opportunity at the moment doesn't mean you might not lose it tomorrow. MI is an at will state meaning you can get let go at anytime weather you did something or not.

I've tried to have hope in MI but things are not looking good and will only get worse.
Farmington Hills is OK if you want to pay high taxes. Try Waterford as an option also. Anything out that way will be a higher tax base (Oakland county) Macomb county is a bit better on Tax but is going up.

Hope all works well for you

[southernlady5464]

Don't know if you are still looking into MI- I would suggest Ohio over MI

The Toledo area is almost as bad shape as MI since so many of it's residents live Lizthere but work in MI.

Gas is less expensive SOME of the time, same price some of it and slightly more on others. I live 15 miles from the state line and it's a 50/50 prop getting gas cheaper.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/money...PL3977000.html

[rudyboo]

Hi, just curious, what is wrong with Warren? I'm planning to go there this summer, are the hotels etc. safe? I grew up in Warren, haven't been back in 20 years, have very good memories of it and I'm going back to see our old house. I've been warned that it has changed a lot, but when I was there in the early 80's it looked fine to me. Any comments? Hotel recommendations, restaurant recommendations? Thanks!

[mtg71286]

Originally Posted by 19hsm

So does anyone have any other suggestion of where to look?

theres a neighborhood in pontiac called pioneer highlands. its a really good neighborhood with nice houses and clean streets. its about 5imns from the downtown which has the best night clubs in michigan and has some very nice restaurants. 4 great malls within 20mins including the newest mall Great Lakes Crossing. a few movie theaters. this neighborhood also has lake access and a private beach. very safe area where you can walk out on the streets at 3am and not worry what so ever. neighbors are very nice, kind, and kinda keep an eye out for things out of the ordinary. we've been here 18 years and its been a wonderful 18 years. people are surprised to find out we are not one of the neighboring cities because of how good our neighborhood is compared to the others in pontiac. we are also patrolled by 3 different police departments so crime is extremely rare to non existent. theres also a neighborhood association that plans activities for children and the elderly.

[Meg Lesher]

I agree; Farmington is nice. Livonia is pretty nice, and safe. Redford has its good parts. It's quite affordable but would require some looking. Plymouth is a fine town, but may be too far out. Ditto, Northville. I personally don't care for the Novi area; there really is no downtown and it's costly. The same goes for Canton. I like Oak Park, but haven't got the insider's scoop on the place. If you consider Ypsilanti, look around the Old Town area first, and stay away from the south side and Willow Run or Ecorse, both areas with their share of the crime that comes with poverty. That goes for Garden City, too. You might consider Wayne; it has lots of nice neighborhoods and is reasonable. Further downriver, Wyandotte has lots of affordable homes in pleasant neighborhoods. I'm from Ann Arbor, and while it's got much to offer in terms of culture and safety, it is very expensive, and the trickle down from all the housing slumps has hit prices here not at all.

[GAisGreat]

Originally Posted by 19hsm

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?

They're not doing anything to turn it around, in fact they seem to be doing everything to make it worse. It's not going to rebound for a long time, if ever.

But if job, raising kids, etc. etc. is not an issue it is a great place. If you don't plan to stay for a long time, or don't have lots of expendable income, then you may not want to get a house. Sorry, I love MI, but you have to be crazy to buy a home that has a 90% chance of depreciating in value...A car is one thing, a few grand in stocks is another...BUT A HOUSE...Especially when the economy is currently so bad NOW, and at best UNSTABLE in the future...Sorry too big a gamble!

[sneako]

YES... the housing in and around Farmington Hills is horrible!!!!!!!!! I live in Farmington Hills and own two homes... the more expensive home value went DOWN and the taxes have gone up!!!! My Rental (which is in a nice area of Farmington Hills of older homes) taxes are a little higher and the value is stable!??? Go figure?

You stated that you are looking for housing around $125-$175K. I am not sure if you could find a home in a lot of the subs for that price range. The best area to look at (in that price range), in Farmington Hills would be between Drake and Middlebelt(some areas)/Orchard Lake Road and 9 mile to 12 mile Roads. Most of the homes start in the $200k

DO NOT touch Southfield!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I say this only because the taxes are unbelievably HIGH there!!!!!! The schools are not safe (ALL of my friends that live there either home school their children or send them to private schools). Southfield has its border to Farmington Hills (at Inkster Road) and that area is nice…

If you choose to come to Michigan, focus on Oakland County. The overall ranking of the "100 best cities in America", a few of Oakland County cities were among that study. Ann Arbor in Wayne County is very nice but it is mostly a college community and it is over-crowded - PLUS the jobs are leaving that area like crazy! e.g., Look at Pfizer! Their entire plant is closing by April 2008, leaving many professionals without work or relocating to other states and countries because Michigan doesn't have any jobs here for them!

I have lived in Farmington Hills for over 21 years now. I have left another reply to another post on this city if you are interested in reading more about this area... the link is: http://www.city-data.com/forum/detro...tml#post748201

I have been a Michigander for most of my life (born in Detroit). Everywhere you look, a big corporation is leaving Michigan…small businesses are either leaving the state or closing down! I am one of them! I am leaving this state within a year! Our housing taxes are unbelieveable! This state is a dying state and I do not see a bright future in it! In our practice, we see our clients leaving this state at a fast pace! Either they have lost their jobs, their health insurance was taken away, or they had to take a huge paycut to keep what’s left of their jobs!

What GAisGREAT stated above my post... is 100% correct! Also, IF you can rent (since your husband job is here) and you can rent without losing too much money, I would highly suggest that before looking to buy here. Perhaps a condo? Brand new condos in every city in Michigan are basically being given away because of the real estate market.

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.

Thanks in advance!

[M TYPE X]

Farmington Hills is aging. Bloomfield Hills or Novi are better bets.

Oakland County outside of Pontiac, Southfield, and Madison Heights is generally decent.

[Mommyofboys]

Why not get an apartment as close as you can to your husbands job. At least that way you wouldn't be commited to owning something until you learn more about the area and which cities are gonna fit your needs. All cities have bad areas and good areas. Have your husband ask around where he works or just drive around and get familiar. You'll know immediately wheather it's for you or not. Good luck

[MonaLisaVito]

Originally Posted by rudyboo

Hi, just curious, what is wrong with Warren? I'm planning to go there this summer, are the hotels etc. safe? I grew up in Warren, haven't been back in 20 years, have very good memories of it and I'm going back to see our old house. I've been warned that it has changed a lot, but when I was there in the early 80's it looked fine to me. Any comments? Hotel recommendations, restaurant recommendations? Thanks!

Warren is alot different than back 20 years ago when you were there. It has changed alot. Going back to see your old house should be fine, but I would stick with the hotels on the north end of the city, or even outside of the city north of 16 mile road (metro parkway). Just stay away from any hotels south of 696. I think you will be sad to see the change just as I was going back to my old city where I grew up.