Possible Relo to Rochester - neighborhoods or towns to consider? (Detroit: to rent, crime)

[quiz1]

Hello-

Have a possible relocation to Rochester - I'm starting to poke around a bit but could use some initial guidance about on what cities I should focus.

I think we'd initially rent but would be interested in buying, would like a smaller community, houses with larger lots with room for gardens, or even a bit rural, hoping for something in the $250K range. 30 minute commute to Rochester - Parkdale Rd, or less.

We homeschool but good districts are important so we would factor that in. I have to admit I'm a little leery of crime and being close to Detroit, well, I'd like to make sure we were looking at places that are safe (we currently live in meth central).

Thanks so much for any initial information you can provide!

[peppermint]

I'd start out renting in Rochester Hills. We live here, and it's wonderful. We walk all times of day without fear. The library and school systems are excellent, and there are plenty of places to rent. From here, you could take your time looking to buy. You might want to consider Oxford or Lake Orion for buying, as the houses are on bigger lots and cheaper than Rochester or Rochester Hills. I'm not a big fan of Troy or Royal Oak personally, but that's just my opinion.

Please don't be afraid of the towns in Oakland County. They are nothing like downtown Detroit. In general the schools are very good, and you don't have to be afraid driving or walking, especially in this area. RH is a little more suburban that we'd ultimately like, but we love renting here. You can bike, hike, and walk so many places. It's a lovely, lovely community.

Good luck!

[animatedmartian]

The only two cities you should avoid are Pontiac and Detroit proper. Other than that, crime isn't much of an issue.

Oxford and Lake Orion are probably the closest to rural that peppermint mentioned. I'd also add Romeo, Oakland Township, and Leonard as the most rural areas within 30 minutes.

For something more suburban; Troy, Rochester Hills, and Shelby Township would be good with pretty good schools as well.

[Joe Blow 81]

30 minutes from DOWNTOWN to Romeo? In a helicopter maybe......

It's funny how people recommend what they're familiar with. While I don't disagree with anything already stated, there was no mention of WESTERN Wayne county and SE Oakland - Novi, Northville, Plymouth. THOSE are true 30 minute commutes - ROMEO is more like an hour without snow or traffic.....

[animatedmartian]

Don't know where you misread, but OP will be working in Rochester. Romeo is 30 minutes from Rochester.

[Coldjensens]

Rochester is a terrific town. If I was working in Rochester, I would not consider living anywhere else, unless I wanted acreage.Rochester has a wonderful dowtnwon. I woudl live wihtin walking distance if at all possible. In town your are looking at mosly older/quaint homes. there is some sprawl just outside of town if that is what you want.

It you want suburban sprawl, and McMansion subdivisions then Rochester hills is for you. Nice topography. Horrid acrhitecture, but many people today do not care one whit about architecture or community, they only want the biggest flashiest house they can buy. If that is you Rochester Hills is perfect. Loads of neat chain stores and resturauants in stip malls scattered around. Lots of shopping malls nearby.

Some of the lake communities are pretty neat if you cna live ont he water (e.g. Lake Orion).

Mostly safe places and very good to execellent schools in that area. No real need to home school.

You are so far from Detroit that Detroit crime statistics are irrelevant. As mentioned, except for Pontiac, that area is extremely safe. Find a decent place to rent and then explore for a few months. You will find tons of great options. Very different offerings - everything from a hous ein town, to a McMansion in a subdivision of other McMansions, to an old farmhouse on 30 acres (or 3 acres, or whatever), lake front homes, just regualr old neighborhoods, modern subdivisions (more modest than mcMansions). Pretty much anything is avaialble in safe places with great schools.

[Sweetpea1107]

I'd also recommend the Nothern Oakland (Rochester/Rochester Hills, Oxford, Lake Orion) and Northern Macomb suburbs (Shelby, Washington Township, Bruce Township, Romeo). All very quiet, safe communities with good schools. I have a particular soft spot for Romeo, as that is where we used to live, and I'm a sucker for historic old homes (we lived in one while we were there). A small downtown, but very community oriented. I like Rochester for the same reason -- more of a quaint feel. Rochester Hills is nice, but much more suburban. Really it depends on what appeals to you.

And as a point of reference -- using the back roads DH could get from our home in downtown Romeo to his employer in Rochester on Parkedale Road in 20 minutes. I'm sure the previous poster misread your initial inquiry, but Western Wayne and Southeast Oakland county are going to push you into the hour commute time. I'd take those areas off your list.

[quiz1]

Thank you all for your generous replies! This gives me a lot to start with, much appreciated. I'll poke around and see what I can find. DH has an interview soon, if there's a site visit I'm sure we will visit all the places you've recommended and pop in if we have questions.

[cheezit34141988]

Lived in Rochester for a long time. Anywhere around there you're good. I'd recommend Oakland Township...any of the area between Downtown Rochester up to 32 Mile on Rochester Road you should be able to find a nice house with land for 250k. Rochester School District is very good as well (Adams graduate).

[MissingNCarolina]

Romeo is a bit of a hick town and their downtown is dead. It may look "quaint" but it's pretty dull. I would do what a previous poster said and rent somewhere in Rochester or Rochester Hills until you figure out where you want to buy. If you don't want to rent first, then I would agree that Lake Orion, Oxford are less expensive, more rural. Washington doesn't have a downtown but you would be able to get more land there when you buy.

Really, it depends on what you like and what your lifestyle is like.