Need a Help on where to live in Michigan (Moving there for the first time for my new career) (Detroit: cheap apartments)

[mrbacon1929]

Hello,

I recently accepted a job offer from a company in Auburn Hills, MI, and I need to find a place to live. I am 23 years old, single male, and this is the first time moving in to Michigan.

I have no idea what to look for, so I'd like some advise from someone who knows a lot more than me.

My occupation requires a lot of traveling, so I would like to live somewhere between Auburn Hills and the Detroit Metro Airport (My employer told me I will be flying a lot).

My budget is around $700/month for a rent. I want a safe, clean place, but cannot afford expensive place(I'm right out of college) so I need to balance those two factors. I also want to be around a place with good amount of shopping availability.

I heard Novi and Royal Oak are some of the good place to live? What do you think? Is Novi too expensive for young professionals?

Thank you.

[belleislerunner]

Novi and Royak Oak are both good spots. Novi is a little more suburban (think subdivisions, strips malls, a normal mall and chain stores). Royal Oak and Ferndale are where all the 20 somethings move too for a job. Getting to the airport is pretty easy from 75 (just take it south to 94) and west to the airport. I'd look for something in the 11 Mile/75 area (i.e. Royal Oak/Madison Heights). Then you'll be able to shoot up 75 to work in Auburn Hills yet be where all the action is in Royal Oak. Kudos on the gig.

[Coldjensens]

Or Midtown Detroit. Depends on you.

[zthatzmanz28]

Not sure if there is much in Novi --- Royal Oak and even Mid-town for $700 a month? You might find something in Fashionable Ferndale that are $700 a month.
If you want to be in an urban setting, look at Hamtramck. I have seen flats and some apartments right around $500 month.

[animatedmartian]

I think OP's best way to save money is to find a roommate in Royal Oak which shouldn't be too terribly hard.

[stanman13]

$700/month makes it a little tricky. You might consider Waterford or Auburn Hills itself, although access to the airport is not as simple. It's about one hour from Auburn Hills to the airport. Consider the possibility of flying out of Bishop airport in Flint. Sometimes that adds expense, though, so the company may or may not go for it. Royal Oak or Hazel Park might offer good options for that rent range. Novi, I doubt you would find much for $700. Midtown Detroit could be an option depending on your urban savviness. If you can fly out of Bishop that opens up a lot more options.

[gameguy56]

Yeah I would avoid Novi unless you absolutely are in love with suburban sprawl.

Midtown and Hamtramck would be options if you consider yourself an urban savvy person.

Royal Oak and Ferndale may be your best bets, not knowing too much about you. Both have good access to 75 which is what you'd take (going north) to Auburn Hills. You'd go south on 75 to 94 to get to the airport.

[DTWflyer]

I'd consider Royal Oak and/or North Woodward communities. Royal Oak, Berkley, Ferndale will give you more of a walkable community feel.

Birmingham probably is not in your budget.

Troy is possible with many apartments but its a sprawling suburban community without any real core.

Rochester is nice and convenient to Auburn Hills, but a far commute to the airport without a really direct route (1 hour + with traffic)

Do not do Novi, while close to the airport, it is a miserable commute to Auburn Hills.

One mentioned the use of Flint Bishop airport. Flint is a great option for leisure travel, particularly to Florida but not as useful for business travel unless you like having to make a connection. Nonstops are limited to Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, and Orlando. DTW will give you nonstop flights and far more options to hundreds of cities. If you are frequent traveler, I would plan to use DTW airport, not Flint.

1. Royal Oak
Generally the most popular community, outside of Ann Arbor, for twenty-somethings and young professionals looking for community experience
Pro: Decent young professional scene, walkable community with downtown that have decent bars/restaurants that cater to the early/mid 20's crowd, lots of rental properties - apartments, lofts, houses, roomates, etc., good access to I-75 to Auburn Hills ~20-30 minute drive w/ traffic, good access to DTW airport ~30 minute drive. Clean, safe, decent shopping options all around. Central location is close to going downtown, sporting events, and getting across town (I-75 / I-696, Woodward Ave)
Con: $700 budget will be difficult to find something decent unless you find a rental house looking for roommates

2. Berkley
Similar in many aspects and location to Royal Oak. Berkley is a little quieter more young family community. Small downtown but still very close to Royal Oak
Pro: May be a little cheaper than Royal Oak
Con: $700 budget will be difficult to find something decent unless you find a rental house looking for roommates. Not quite as close to I-75 which may add a few minutes on to your commute to Auburn Hills, but still very reasonable

3. Ferndale
A little more free sprited and liberal than Royal Oak, still with a good social scene and a little less of the post-college party scene. Don't worry Royal Oak is still just minutes away. Likely cheaper than Royal Oak.
Pro: May be a little cheaper than Royal Oak, with similar location. Has a different and more unique vibe. May be able to find a rental house in your budget.
Con: Generally a safe community, but some areas on the fringe bordering other communities to the west and south are more crime-prone

[mharriso131]

I would suggest the Royal Oak area like the other posters have mentioned. There is no place near the airport that will make it easy for you to get to Auburn Hills, and downriver is basically the white trash area of the metro. You will generally have a reverse commute to both locations from RO. The one problem with Royal Oak is that the apartment scene here is dismal, you generally have to rent a house if you want anything decent. I'm currently paying $975 for a 2 Bedroom Townhouse in a good location. Nearby Berkley, Madison Heights and Clawson are usually cheaper but slightly further from the action(drive vs. walk). If you are willing to have a roommate, probably the way to go since you are new to the area, you can find something really good. Check craigslist.

I grew up in the Northville/Novi area and it is really expensive and primarily families. There are a bunch of really cheap apartments in Wixom and Northwest Novi called Portsmouth and the Village. I lived in Portsmouth straight out of college and it was a nice place for around $620 a month with a washer/dryer, but last I saw it was kind of out of shape. The village is kind of a local joke and filled with Drug Dealers but very cheap ($420). You could take Pontiac Trail all the way to Auburn Hills, which might even be quicker. They are both close to the Novi club scene, which has taken a hit in recent years.