Moving back: Royal Oak, Grosse Pointe or ? (Detroit, Ann Arbor: for sale, buying a house)

[Twehttam]

Hey, all...

My wife and I are moving back to Michigan and are trying to narrow down the communities we're interested in. We're currently most interested in Royal Oak and Grosse Pointe, but first, a little backstory to help paint our picture...

We have been out of the state for less than a year, when we sold our house in Dearborn and moved West for a new job. Unfortunately my new employer wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and we're coming back (to a new job in Ann Arbor/Southfield and to family, which lives all around the Detroit-Metro area...and in Windsor). I will be working out of my new job's Southfield office. We liked Dearborn, but want to try something new and also an area with a bit more going "on". We also have friends in Royal Oak and Berkley and obviously like the area. I also like the Pointes as I like the housing stock I can get for my dollar and the community feel - however I didn't spend a lot of time in the area when we lived in Dearborn so I'm only basing this on realtor info, housing photos and what I've read here.

My wife and I are both in our late 20's, no kids and are looking to spend <$200K. I want to buy solely on my salary and not count hers just incase we decide to have kids in the future and/or if one of us is out of work, etc. Just my philosophy I guess.

Anyway, what do you all think? I'd like to be somewhat close to Southfield (<45 min commute) and know I'll be closer in RO. We also want to be <45 min from the Detroit-Windsor tunnel as we see relatives in Windsor frequently (+1 to GP). Both would be acceptable distances.

We'd love to hear thoughts on both - or any other areas you'd recommend. I've been toying with West Bloomfield as I've seen 2200+ sqft homes in my price range, but I'm not sure I want that "feel"...that distance from neighbors.

Thanks!

[kimba01]

I think in your current situation you would love Royal Oak. Young, trendy...

I have not lived in GP, but I find it beautiful. I have read here on many threads that there is not much to do besides the water stuff, such as a downtown area, shops, bars...

Personally, I love the water and if I could have afforded it, I would have looked into the GP areas.

[GinaJ]

I don't know much about RO but I grew up and have family in West Bloomfield. I am in my late 20's and have lived other states and parts of MI. I will say I have never gotten used to some of the attitudes in WB. I don't mean to be rude and for my mom it does not bother her but it irritate me. The houses and area is lovely but the people are not very warm. I am moving to Troy cause I just came back from Ca. I have been to RO and it seems to be close to more places. A few thoughts though if you are planning on kids and want this to be a long term home I would check school districts. I went to Birmingham schools which were good and I feel WB and Bloomfield Hills are too. I am not sure of RO. Well good luck to you

[detroiter2008]

I would say Royal Oak because it has a ton of energy and is very lively Thursday through Sunday. Also it is hard to find a walkable area like Royal Oak in the Detroit area since everything is so spread out. In fact I went on a food tour in Royal Oak and found it has a bunch of small and different places to eat and to just hang out. I would suggest the tour (www.culinary-escapes.com) if you are new to the Royal Oak area. Also you can find a decent, resonably price house in the area still.

My 2 cents

Originally Posted by Twehttam

Hey, all...

My wife and I are moving back to Michigan and are trying to narrow down the communities we're interested in. We're currently most interested in Royal Oak and Grosse Pointe, but first, a little backstory to help paint our picture...

We have been out of the state for less than a year, when we sold our house in Dearborn and moved West for a new job. Unfortunately my new employer wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and we're coming back (to a new job in Ann Arbor/Southfield and to family, which lives all around the Detroit-Metro area...and in Windsor). I will be working out of my new job's Southfield office. We liked Dearborn, but want to try something new and also an area with a bit more going "on". We also have friends in Royal Oak and Berkley and obviously like the area. I also like the Pointes as I like the housing stock I can get for my dollar and the community feel - however I didn't spend a lot of time in the area when we lived in Dearborn so I'm only basing this on realtor info, housing photos and what I've read here.

My wife and I are both in our late 20's, no kids and are looking to spend <$200K. I want to buy solely on my salary and not count hers just incase we decide to have kids in the future and/or if one of us is out of work, etc. Just my philosophy I guess.

Anyway, what do you all think? I'd like to be somewhat close to Southfield (<45 min commute) and know I'll be closer in RO. We also want to be <45 min from the Detroit-Windsor tunnel as we see relatives in Windsor frequently (+1 to GP). Both would be acceptable distances.

We'd love to hear thoughts on both - or any other areas you'd recommend. I've been toying with West Bloomfield as I've seen 2200+ sqft homes in my price range, but I'm not sure I want that "feel"...that distance from neighbors.

Thanks!

[cowcat]

If you don't have family or a history in GP, I would pick RO unless you really want to be close to the water and don't mind an isolated suburbia environment. I have friends moving from CA and they are looking in Oakland county centered around 14 Mile Rd and Woodward. It's close to downtown RO, Birmingham, Berkeley, Somerset Collection, etc. My friends originally looked in Birmingham but decided to make an offer in RO. It's across 14 Mile Rd from Birmingham and you pay much less in taxes, but you get all the perks of being "in the middle of things."

[GMonkey]

I'd go with Royal Oak. I really, really miss living there. It was definitely the best place I lived. Actually, my ex-fiance is selling our old home, for almost the same price we purchased it for in 1998!

I'm a firm believer in living in the nicest area closest to work. Gas prices might dip temporarily...but seriously, they are never going to be cheap. It's fun to do stuff in GP, but honestly, how often are you going to hang out there?

[iceblink]

Don't move to GP, It's stuffy stuffy stuffy! I grew up there, graduated from GPS and my parents still live there. Royal Oak would prob. suit you much better esp. since you have no children.

[diaspora]

I think it depends on how long you intend to stay. If you plan on buying a house that you will be in for a long time, raise a family in, etc. I'd suggest buying in GP.

Royal Oak is a great town to be single/DINK in, but the schools are not as good as they once/or they are closing down a significant number of those schools because there just aren't the kids there to support them.

Even with schools of choice, the district is still hurting, whereas GP is still going strong.

There is a significant stock of houses in GP for sale right now (as is everywhere) and you could probably get a decent place for <$200k. I'd imagine that you'd get a bigger place in Royal Oak for the money, but i'm not positive.

Yes, i grew up in GP (moved from Detroit in 4th grade) but my friends and I were not "from" there. There is a large number of people that have moved there over the years and it's not as stuffy as it is frequently labeled.

i'd choose it over WB or Bham any day.

It's only a 25 minute drive from GP to RO anyway, provided there isn't construction on 696.

[snoopygirlmi]

Yeah, I lived is SCS and unless you've got a reason to be in the SCS/GP area - Royal Oak is a better choice.

Royal Oak is more central and closer to where jobs/activities are. Housing prices would probably be a bit more or comprable to GP because RO is "the trendy place to be."

Also, if you commute into Oakland county from GP, you are just setting yourself up to be miserable. Once it hits about 7:15/7:30 am, 696 is packed - regardless of whether it's construction season. And there's no good alternate route that doesn't take less than a half hour-because the mile roads get jammed up too. And it's the same way after 4 pm going back on 696/the mile roads. Really, not worth the drive...unless there is a real reason (like family, you just have to be by the water, etc) to be there.

I'd take RO anyday over GP/SCS -

[Twehttam]

As an update, we closed on a 2-story colonial in Grosse Pointe Farms a few weeks ago. Thanks for the replies (and to those not in this thread, but from searching the forum).