Just moving - would love some information... (Detroit, Royal Oak: apartment, neighborhood)

[gobias]

Hello all. I've been browsing this forum for a while now, since learning I was relocating to the Detroit area, and I would love some information - since there seems to be a wealth of it here.

With recommendation from some family in the Macomb area among other things, I decided on Royal Oak. It is a good enough location relative to the city when it comes to the commute, and seems to be (although I have seen some arguments to the contrary on here) a nice enough area.

The place I am looking at is a few minutes north of downtown near 14 Mile, almost closer to Birmingham and very near Clawson. Does anyone know much about this specific area? It looked to have a nice, small neighborhood type feel to it (but I know that looks can be deceiving sometimes).

Other than a feel for the area, I am also looking for some good locations nearby (restaurants, bars, hangouts, etc.) I am planning on my new job owning my life, but I would hopefully have some free time for myself as well. I am fairly fresh out of college, so some nice nightlife would certainly be a draw.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

[us66]

The area is pretty good. Apartment quality varies; use your best judgment. The better buildings are going to be pretty good for you. As for nightlife, I don't know much about that; I like to go to bed around 8 or 9 (but it never works out that way). There are good bar/restaurant places all over around there; a couple of my favs are the Redcoat and Duggan's, both on Woodward between 13 and 14. There is also a 24 hour Starbucks just north of 13 for some people watching late at night.

[thebreadlady]

and you will buy all of your food at the royal oak farmers market.......

[2deep]

If you are looking for a good night life, Royal Oak is the spot. I just moved up here a couple months ago and have no complaints. There are a variety of bars/clubs within 5 mins of where you live. I still really haven't found my favorite spot, but anywhere around main street is a pretty good time. Also there are some neat places on woodward as well. Ferndale is cool as well. Gobias where did you relocate from?

[thealohaman]

Good choice, I think you will like the area.

[Retroit]

(Please, God, don't let [JS] see this thread.)

[Coldjensens]

Royal Oak is a great place for 20-mid 30 year old people, especially single people. WHen you have a family, you may well move elsewhere, but who knows, things change a lot in a few years.