Moving to Detroit area - Work at Troy (Warren, Sterling Heights: cul-de-sac, crime) - Michigan (MI) - City-Data Forum

zemax · 02-09-2011, 03:04 PM

We are moving to Detroit area in next couple of weeks. My job is at Troy. please recommend some safe areas near Troy. My daughters are 3 yrs old and 4 yrs old, so we are looking move to an area with really good schools. Ideally I prefer to live close to my work. Please make some recommendations.

scolls · 02-09-2011, 03:12 PM

Troy is perfectly fine, especially the farther north you go. Sterling Heights is good as well especially in the Utica school district.

zemax · 02-09-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scolls

Troy is perfectly fine, especially the farther north you go. Sterling Heights is good as well especially in the Utica school district.

Thanks.

MIW14 · 02-09-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scolls

Troy is perfectly fine, especially the farther north you go. Sterling Heights is good as well especially in the Utica school district.

I thought Utica schools are in some massive debt.

ForStarters · 02-09-2011, 03:47 PM

Troy is nice and upscale, but very bland. You might also want to look at Birmingham and Royal Oak, which have some character. Birmingham is more upscale than Troy and has a nice downtown area. Royal Oak also has a small downtown and is younger and trendier. The only thing that makes Troy unique is Somerset Mall. Birmingham has good schools, and I think Royal Oak's are decent, but not the best. Both Birmingham and RO will be relatively short commutes to Troy. The downside is that Birmingham can be very expensive and snobby. Royal Oak can be yuppie and pretentious. Troy also recently closed its public library will be making even more cuts to its public services. Overall, though, I would prefer B'ham or RO over Troy, which is simply too vanilla.

Wherever you decide, welcome to Metro Detroit!

scolls · 02-09-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIW14

I thought Utica schools are in some massive debt.

What schools in the metro area aren't?

If you really want the social scene of Royal Oak, just drive there. It's better to live closer to work than to the "hip" areas. You have to drive to work everyday. How often are you out at bars and restaurants? Royal Oak isn't a far drive, but it appears you have a family and the housing stock and lot sizes are bigger in Troy than Royal Oak. Royal Oak is mostly bungalows on smaller lots.

Once you go north in Oakland county, almost all the communities are safe with good schools. The only city you really need to avoid at all costs in northern Oakland county is Pontiac.

Remisc · 02-09-2011, 04:20 PM

It really depends how much money you'll be making. If you're going to be making a good living, try living in Northern Troy or most of Sterling Heights. These areas are the epitome of comfortable suburban living - huge houses with big yards on cul-de-sacs. Birmingham has alot of prestige tied to its name, and its nearby, but there's not as much bang for your buck there. You'd be lucky to get a 1,200 sq. ft. home there for under $200k.

But, if your new job puts you in a position where you can't afford these locales, try South Troy or Madison Heights. These are cheaper, with a smaller but still decent housing stock. Areas of far southern Troy and some sections of Madison Heights appear somewhat rundown, though. While I'm not familiar with these areas, I don't think crime is much of a concern. Schools may be somewhat compromised in South Troy and Madison Heights.

But, overall, most of Oakland County is very safe and clean. While house shopping, don't look for houses too far west of Woodward Ave. - after you reach that street, your commute will begin getting pretty long.

us66 · 02-09-2011, 05:49 PM

Troy schools depend on the school district as Troy has several. Go for the Troy School District (Troy HS is greatly preferred over Athens (price premium as well), but Athens is just as good as anything in Sterling Heights).
-Some of extreme western Troy is also in the Birmingham district (just as good, maybe even better). -Warren Consolidated Schools (SE corner of Troy) are less desirable (livable as opposed to good).
-Avondale- (small part of far north Troy) I don't know much about but they can't be all that bad). -Royal Oak (extreme south Troy west of Oakland Mall) is nothing special.
-Lamphere (Oakland Mall) has no residential area of Troy. All commercial and industrial.

In Sterling Heights the preferred district is Utica by far. I don't know about individual buildings. Warren Con hurts resale values in the eyes of many in SH and Troy.

Coldjensens · 02-09-2011, 08:45 PM

Troy is really close to Troy, has great schools and is safe. A bitdull and no downtown, but it is a nice enough place. Most important Troy to Troy is a very very short commute.

rdub1968 · 02-10-2011, 08:17 AM

I lived in Glenmoor Estates near South Blvd and Livernois (northern part of Troy)for over 5 years. It is a nice suburb - sort of hilly and big 1/2 acre + lots. We loved it, was a great place to raise a family. We miss it, but moved due to a job loss. We still have our house there though.

Be careful if you look in Troy, I-75 goes right through it and parts can have a lot of freeway noise. We bought in a quiet part. Our kids were in Avondale schools, and we felt it was a good district.

I think Birmingham is a beautiful town, but too crowded for me. A lot of traffic! If you are looking for an urban feel, Troy is a bit bland as mentioned, but you are near Somerset, Rochester Hills, and Birmingham. It's not like you are isolated from everything.
Troy also has some of the best Indian restaurants around