Need info on Palmer Park and other Dearborn/Detroit hoods (Southfield: crime, houses)

[L0ve]

We are moving back to Detroit and looking for a new neighborhood. Husband's job is in Dearborn and we need to avoid the miles of brick ranches and tiny brick-box bungalows. We also want a short commute, since our last home was a 30+ minute hike one way.

We need a neighborhood with a good vibe, homes with character,... no big box McMansions, no generic new construction, no ranches, no subdivisions filled with mini vans and kids, etc.

I came across what appears to be called Palmer Park on the map, and the large historical homes there look beautiful and well-maintained. It sits right next to a large golf course just NW of Detroit.

1- Anyone have info on the safety of this neighborhood.

2- Is the location decent outside of the neighborhood, or is it surrounded by decay?

3- Is there any walkable type downtown near here?

4- Any similar neighborhoods with beautiful historic homes to consider in different areas close to Dearborn? Where else should I look?

We are in our 40s and childless, so crazy nightlife and kid type stuff doesn't matter. We mostly just want a nice place to live in a house with lots of character. I know we wont have a problem finding good restaurants and shopping in the region.

[animatedmartian]

Technically, there's a few different neighborhoods named in that area but all pretty good. Palmer Woods is the most expensive with the largest homes, then Sherwood Forest and the University District round out the middle.

1. It's pretty safe. I think there's private security you can pay into actually.

2. Going westward is okay. But on the other side of Woodward is all bombed out. It's separated by the park though so you won't see it too often unless you're heading towards the freeway.

3. There is a strip of retail along Livernois going westward. It's known as the Avenue of Fashion informally. Lots of little boutique shops.

4. North Rosedale Park is similar, though the houses are a bit smaller. It's only 10 minutes away from Dearborn up the Southfield freeway.

[belleislerunner]

Those would be my top three neighborhoods as well - Palmer Woods, Sherwood and University. PW is the most isolated - it borders Ferndale which has all your coffee shops/bars/restaurants on Nine Mile/Woodward less than a Mile Away. The homes just west of the golf course (University District) will be about 50-60% cheaper than PW but still a safe area. It borders McNichols/Six Mile - which will be barren once you leave that immediate vicinity. There's a new Meijer (Walmart twin) opening at 8 Mile/Woodward so you'll be close to 24 hr groceries et. Check out all three - they all have mature trees/non cookie cutter homes/small ranches are are teeming with other professionals invested in Detroit. The smaller bungalos/ranches are where most of the shenanigas are. Welcome back and kudos on the new gig!

[detroit's own]

I'd say check out University District. More affordable than palmer woods but all in the same area

University District Detroit. A Nice Detroit Neighborhood. - YouTube

[L0ve]

Thank you! Actually it looks like the University district is what I was looking at on the map.

Someone else mentioned Wyandotte...are they similar?

We are headed back to MI this week, so any other close neighborhoods we should check out?

Husband is a Dearborn native but he cannot recall ever checking out these neighborhoods.

Also, are these neighborhoods pretty stable money-wise, or are we likely to find any abandoned homes anywhere in the mix? i think I spotted one house with boarded up windows in the video. We would like to avoid that.

[L0ve]

P.S...any feedback on the 3% Detroit tax?

[Coldjensens]

Wyandotte is not similat to Detroit neighborhoods. It is a small city about 20 miles from Detroit. It has kind of a cool downtown and there are some historic homes around. Smaller though. Lot of sizable historic homes oin Grosse Ile, but not cheap. Plymouth or Northville might be good options for you to look at, nto too far from Dearborn. Dearborn itself has some pretty decent homes ehre and there.

Palmer is neat. It is somwhwat surrounded by blight and crime riddled areas, some othe decent areas bearby. Detroit has nigh property taxed, a city income tax and no city services. In palmer you ahve to help pay for the privte security that keeps it a nice and reasonably safe neighborhood. There are some trade offs though. You are close the mid town and some really great culturual events and places (symphony, theaters, DIA, convetions and events downtown etc.

[L0ve]

Thanks ColdJ. I'm writing this all down.

[Coldjensens]

You could look at Grosse pointe too.

[detwahDJ]

Originally Posted by Bmachina

P.S...any feedback on the 3% Detroit tax?

When I was there 15 years ago, there was a partial deduction from the state on "taxes paid to Michigan cities". Might have changed by now.