Troy vs. Northville, etc. (Detroit, Farmington Hills: real estate, rentals, condos)

[movestoomuch]

Looks like we'll be moving *again.*

Have an opportunity to work in Farmington Hills, zip 48335. (Haggerty Rd.)

We would prefer to be in a very suburban area, as new as possible, high end shopping (I read that Troy has the best mall, but that the Nordstrom at the other mall is better.) and easy access to highways.

We do not want anything remotely rural nor do we enjoy living in the big city.

Not looking for diversty, don't need schools, but realize the better the school district the easier it will be to sell the house in the future.

If we buy (we may just rent the first year) our budget would be 700-800K. But may not go that high as we are now empty-nesters.

Coming from Nashville, originally from NY. Have lived just about everywhere.

*** The "as new as possible" statement is concerning the roads, stores, (strip malls) etc. As opposed to the housing. I've lived in areas where the housing was old, but everything around it was brand spanking new. I don't care about the age of the house, I am looking for a nice, clean, close-in area to shops, restuarants and roads that are easy to travel on.

Thank you.

[Bhaalspawn]

What's wrong with Farmington Hills itself? Farmington Hills is solidly middle class with some upper middle class elements and it's near the shopping areas in Novi. You might also look at West Bloomfield and Novi. Commerce Township (the lakes country) is probably more rural than what you'd want.

You probably won't like the commute from Troy to Farmington Hills and I don't see how Troy is any better than FH. You'll probably like the northwest corner of FH the best. The primary shopping corridors are along Orchard Lake Road (between 12 Mile and 15 Mile/Maple) in Farmington Hills and Novi Road (between 12 Mile and Grand River/10 Mile) in Novi.

[animatedmartian]

Twelve Oaks and Somerset are the malls you're talking about. Both are right off the freeway so you'll have no problem getting to either regardless of where you live.

Northville is probably more closer to rural than what you're looking for but it's still quite nice (though maybe not as new). West Bloomfied, Farmignton Hills, and Birmingham seem like your best options. Birmingham would be most affluent and FH would be least affluent. The west and north side of Troy would be sort of in the middle and Birmingham is probably a little more busy than the others but overall I think you'll have no problem finding what you're looking for in that area.

The main roads are pretty much laid out in a grid and getting your way around wouldn't be too hard unless you go towards the lakes (the grid breaks down around them). At worst, you'll just have to deal with traffic but without assuming where you've lived, I wouldn't say it's too bad. There's a lot but it at least moves.

[movestoomuch]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

What's wrong with Farmington Hills itself? Farmington Hills is solidly middle class with some upper middle class elements and it's near the shopping areas in Novi. You might also look at West Bloomfield and Novi. Commerce Township (the lakes country) is probably more rural than what you'd want.

You probably won't like the commute from Troy to Farmington Hills and I don't see how Troy is any better than FH. You'll probably like the northwest corner of FH the best. The primary shopping corridors are along Orchard Lake Road (between 12 Mile and 15 Mile/Maple) in Farmington Hills and Novi Road (between 12 Mile and Grand River/10 Mile) in Novi.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with FH. I've never even been to Detroit so I am not speaking from experience. I'm just going by what I read and I haven't really read anything bad about FH.

I was thinking the commute to FH from Troy was going to be a bit of a struggle since I didn't really see a straight through way of getting there on the map.

I'm open to anything. But I am particular about clean. I recently lived in Pittsburgh and it was the dirtiest place I had ever lived. Nashville (suburbs) are very clean and I love it here. Sad to leave really, but when one needs a job you go to it if you have to.

I'm originally from Buffalo, so please no bad remarks about "Why" I would even think about moving to Detroit. I'm tired of people mocking Buffalo and Detroit quite frankly.
EVERY area has it's redeeming features -- Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo included.

I'll listen to everyone's opinions about certain areas that would be feasible to live in that's totally suburban. I did rural in Pittsburgh and nearly blew my head off. No rural. Rural is the last place I want to live.

I love cities, just not to live in. I'm a typical suburban girl who just wants a nice house in the suburbs that has good schools (even though I have no school aged children) and is clean.

On my wish list: 1) A shoulder of the road, hopefully at least two lanes each way.

2) Shopping right around the corner, nice clean grocery stores (any whole foods?)

3) Sidewalks would be great as would street lights. Buried cable and electric lines are nice too.

4) Decent schools because it keeps the real estate values up.



I'm open to all suggestions. Thank you and happy holidays.

[animatedmartian]

Originally Posted by movestoomuch

On my wish list: 1) A shoulder of the road, hopefully at least two lanes each way.

There's plenty of those types of roads in the area.

2) Shopping right around the corner, nice clean grocery stores (any whole foods?)

Two in fact. One in West Bloomfield and one in southern Troy directly east of downtown Birmingham. There's also your usual Target, Meijers (a large midwestern brand), Kroger's, etc.

3) Sidewalks would be great as would street lights. Buried cable and electric lines are nice too.

I do believe most neighborhoods have buried lines. The only above lines are a long the main roads. Also most neighborhoods would have sidewalks, though it's hit or miss depending on which specific subdivision you look in (you're more likely to find them in Birmingham and Troy).

4) Decent schools because it keeps the real estate values up.

No shortage of that either. I'm not sure of Bloomfield's schools, but FH/Novi and Troy are often mentioned as the best in the Metro. I think Bloomfield has a few other amenities that help keep property values up. There's a lot of lakes and hills and some very forest heavy neighborhoods. But overall, it's a pretty high valued area.

[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by movestoomuch

I was thinking the commute to FH from Troy was going to be a bit of a struggle since I didn't really see a straight through way of getting there on the map.

Eee-yup. It's doable but it would be better if you could avoid that commute.

You really should figure out a way to visit the area for a week before you make any decisions. As a general rule, when you're moving to a new area, it's probably best to rent for 6 months while you get a feel for the area before making a real estate purchase.

[DaniellaG]

For the price range you are looking at I would not pick Troy or Northville. I would pick Bloomfield Hills,Birmingham,or possibly Orchard Lake on the lake off Pontiac Trail though those are million plus there may be a smaller home. That is beutiful area with the winded road and lake access. Bloomfield Hills has some nice communities some country club or gated if that is of interest. Birmingham is also very nice though the homes are older but you could walk to downtown. The high end mall is Somerset Troy. Then Birmingham has some small high end shops. In West Bloomfield near Orchard Lake there are many strip and plaza malls. In WB and BHs there are Whole Foods and Plum Market plus Trader Joes. Another nice market is Hillers in WB. There are a range of restaurants through out so that should not be an issue.
I agree about renting first. You can still do a home as many can't sell and will rent it out.

[movestoomuch]

Originally Posted by DaniellaG

For the price range you are looking at I would not pick Troy or Northville. I would pick Bloomfield Hills,Birmingham,or possibly Orchard Lake on the lake off Pontiac Trail though those are million plus there may be a smaller home. That is beutiful area with the winded road and lake access. Bloomfield Hills has some nice communities some country club or gated if that is of interest. Birmingham is also very nice though the homes are older but you could walk to downtown. The high end mall is Somerset Troy. Then Birmingham has some small high end shops. In West Bloomfield near Orchard Lake there are many strip and plaza malls. In WB and BHs there are Whole Foods and Plum Market plus Trader Joes. Another nice market is Hillers in WB. There are a range of restaurants through out so that should not be an issue.
I agree about renting first. You can still do a home as many can't sell and will rent it out.

Yeah, I just looked at the numbers I posted and they are way too high. (Wishful thinking???) What I 'meant' to say was our price range would be between - 350-400K. I hadn't really thought it out very well.

It's just my husband and myself and a whole lot of furniture! Ha ha ha.

I think my main concern is to be in a clean area with easy access to nice shopping and restaurants. Chain restaurants are fine too. Not too big into the whole fast food thing. But I know they are a necessary evil.

There is no way we would buy right away. We would rent either a condo, apt or home first before buying again. This is the first time we have ever been in this position and I don't think I'll buy anything right away again unless I'm sure the job thing is going to last!

Thank you everyone for helping me out. I'm excited about the fact that Detroit has all four major sport teams. It's been a while since I've been to an NBA game and I'm really looking forward to it!

[Jwo85]

Check out Franklin, Bingham Farms and Beverly Hills

Northwestern Highway and Orchard lake Road offer good restaurants to eat.

[DaniellaG]

Originally Posted by movestoomuch

Yeah, I just looked at the numbers I posted and they are way too high. (Wishful thinking???) What I 'meant' to say was our price range would be between - 350-400K. I hadn't really thought it out very well.

It's just my husband and myself and a whole lot of furniture! Ha ha ha.

I think my main concern is to be in a clean area with easy access to nice shopping and restaurants. Chain restaurants are fine too. Not too big into the whole fast food thing. But I know they are a necessary evil.

There is no way we would buy right away. We would rent either a condo, apt or home first before buying again. This is the first time we have ever been in this position and I don't think I'll buy anything right away again unless I'm sure the job thing is going to last!

Thank you everyone for helping me out. I'm excited about the fact that Detroit has all four major sport teams. It's been a while since I've been to an NBA game and I'm really looking forward to it!

Still would pick Bloomfield Hills,Birmingham,West Bloomfield area. All are upscale,clean,safe areas. You could find rentals of home or condos in the area as well. I feel it is not a good idea to buy right away. What one person likes another won't. These though are close to shopping,non chain plus chain restaurants,safe,good schools,family feel I could go on. You may even be able to find a home rental in a sub that you would like to purchase in the future. Like I said because so many people can't sell they do rent out.