Comparing Oakland County Cities (Detroit, Farmington Hills: for sale, 2013, rent)

[cmuguy25]

Like a lot of previous posters, I think Rochester/Rochester Hills will make a lot of your requirements. But, like you said yourself, I think the best bet is just to come visit and see the area. Take a day or two, scout some areas out, walk around and see where you feel at home.

Best of luck!

[gameguy56]

Originally Posted by Irapuato100

I'll take your word for it, but that's strange to me. Eastern Market is only open a few hours a week, and the Midtown Whole Foods is tiny. And both are about 30 minutes from the Pointes. Neither seem very convenient for daily grocery needs.

In contrast, if you live in a nice Oakland County community, you will only be 5-10 minutes from a wide variety of upscale grocers. If you live in Birmingham, you will be 5-10 minutes from Papa Joes, three Krogers (two of them gourmet), a Whole Foods, a Plum Market, and Trader Joes (as well as many mini food venues, like a French bakery/patisserie). Meijer, WalMart and Target are all within 10 minutes, too.

I'm not aware of any upscale markets in the Pointes. The Kroger in the Village is quite small and a "regular" Krogers, and there's a Trader Joes.

I actually prefer the Pointes in terms of "feel", but way to isolated for me. I'll take the sprawl in OC in exchange for convenience to work, friends, and daily needs.

In some ways I really think Grosse Pointers do it to themselves. They won't go to the target at eastland. They probably wouldn't dare shop at the walmart in Roseville, etc. It's not like they don't have these things available to them out in southern macomb county, it's just they don't go there.

[MS313]

Originally Posted by gameguy56

In some ways I really think Grosse Pointers do it to themselves. They won't go to the target at eastland. They probably wouldn't dare shop at the walmart in Roseville, etc. It's not like they don't have these things available to them out in southern macomb county, it's just they don't go there.

Agreed. There are PLENTY of places for them to grocery shopping in southern Macomb county.

[us66]

Originally Posted by MarvinStrong313

Agreed. There are PLENTY of places for them to grocery shopping in southern Macomb county.

Yeah, but nothing really special. There's a Nino's on Harper, but it's small and not nearly as nice as the others. South Macomb is good for Aldi and Valuland and that's about it. Some of the Krogers are good, some not as good.

Originally Posted by gameguy56

In some ways I really think Grosse Pointers do it to themselves. They won't go to the target at eastland. They probably wouldn't dare shop at the walmart in Roseville, etc. It's not like they don't have these things available to them out in southern macomb county, it's just they don't go there.

Heck, I almost never venture into the Roachville Wal*Mart. That place is hell on earth. (The Super K Mart down the road isn't much better, and there I've been accosted in the parking lot more than once by people supposedly wanting to use my phone.) If I do go to Evil*Mart, I go to the one in Chesterfield Township. They don't check your receipt on the way out and assume you're shoplifting.

There are places GPers will go to shop in South Macomb, though. The Eastpointe Aldi (go figure, but there's often a car or two in the lot with some sort of GP insignia on it, and GPers are nothing if not cheap), and Costco.

[KBabbleL]

RLAL-
I live on the northern border of Troy; Rochester & RH are north of me. I work in Midtown (West Grand Blvd/Lodge/75) and I'll tell your husband-- th commute is minimum 45min of a$$hat hell. Just sayin'.

Perhaps you should also look at Pleasant Ridge- everything you want in housing, on the Woodward strip for every activity, easy access to all directions, and will easily cut 30 min off the commute into the D.

[snoopygirlmi]

Originally Posted by Irapuato100

The Pointes are really, really beautiful, but far from everything, unless you work in downtown Detroit. There's no upscale shopping, no fancy grocery options, and few restaurants. If you live there, you will make the trek to Oakland County for shopping, dining, and going out.

If you wanted you could easily shop in St. Clair Shores, Roseville, Harper Woods, Eastpointe, Clinton Twp....

No need to make a trek to Oakland County.

One of the main reasons we moved back to Oakland County was because it is a lot closer to the things and places we like to go. It's more central. However, if you are working in Dwtn Detroit, the Pointes would be an easy commute.

[PCH_CDM]

Originally Posted by snoopygirlmi

If you wanted you could easily shop in St. Clair Shores, Roseville, Harper Woods, Eastpointe, Clinton Twp....

No need to make a trek to Oakland County.

One of the main reasons we moved back to Oakland County was because it is a lot closer to the things and places we like to go. It's more central. However, if you are working in Dwtn Detroit, the Pointes would be an easy commute.

Of course you could shop in those communities, but the issue is the type of stores.

Upper income folks want nice malls, nice furniture stores, nice restaurants, etc. Generally speaking, that stuff isn't available around the Pointes.

There's no JCrew, no Restoration Hardware, no Saks, few upscale restaurants, etc. This matters to many people.

[MS313]

I couldn't imagine going up and down 75 everyday during rush hour. Especially from Rochester Hills. And that's in perfect weather. Let's not even discuss the fact that this is Michigan, a state with the type of weather that can turn a 45 minute commute into a 2 hour commute easy.

[Coldjensens]

do people really shop at more than one grocery store? everywhere we have lived we pretty much shopped at one grocery store even in places where there were dozens. I cannot imagine needing to be near more than one good grocery store.

[DTWflyer]

I think you are going to have to compromise somewhere on your requirements.

In Metro Detroit, in the current real estate market, it will be extremely difficult to find something that is:
- Newer construction / newly renovated
- More than 2000 sq ft / 4 BD
- Walking distance to a downtown area
- Good schools
- Less than 30 minutes to downtown Detroit
- Around $215K

Its basic supply and demand, as there are many others seeking the same attributes, so the biggest sticking point will be price. There is not going to be much that meets all of the above for $215K. If you are willing to have a longer commute, smaller space, or older construction maybe.

As someone who has been closely looking for an opportunity to buy, the inventory of good homes that meet these requirements is extremely low. Stuff that is out there, or seems to be a deal often is either out-dated or needs a lot of work.

You are looking in the right direction at areas that come close to meeting your requirements. Rochester / Rochester Hills in areas might work, but you are looking at least at a 45 minute commute. Grosse Pointe is a good choice and the closest to downtown.
Pleasant Ridge & Berkley are good choices although older construction, you could find something that might have been heavily remodeled/expanded.

Another thing to consider is that school districts may not always align with municipal boundaries. In particular Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills often overlap into other communities. Portions on the edges of Troy also go to surrounding school districts. You could find something within walking/biking distance to downtown Birmingham for example but the actual address may be Troy, Beverly Hills, or Bloomfield Township.