- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee boards
Also...we're considering the liklihood of moving back to IA in the future to have a family (both of our families are there). We're not sure if we should rent or move, but we are most definitely SICK of apt life!! What do you think of the option of finding a good rental place? Or the possibility of being able to sell a house in the next few years in that area?
Hey there! I actually live about 5 minutes from warren in Madison Heights, on the edge of Royal Oak. I'd suggest Royal Oak. It's really a "hot spot" for young couples, family, and people in general. Lots of restaurants in walking distance, bars, and nice shops. My best friend is renting a house within walking distance of downtown and pays $600 a month. Not bad! There is easy access to all major freeway in the area..and the Detroit Zoo is in Royal Oak!
I'd be more than happy to show you around town if you'd like. It can be confusing at first, but it's fairly easy to get around.
Oh, i definitely wouldnt buy. House values in Oakland County are not going up!
I live in South Florida now but I am orginally from Michigan. My mom and sister actually live in Warren and they walk all the time and never are concerned about safety. Everything there is cheap right now so if you do decided to buy you can find a 3 bedrooom house for under 65k where else can you find that? LOL
Royal Oak is really close and more to do their like the last poster said, I really like that little city. My favorite parts of Michigan are closer to Novi and West Bloomfield but that would be a further drive for your BF.
But people in Michigan rent houses a lot so if your only concern is not wanting to live in an apartment you can easily just rent a house.
Whew...all of those areas look very promising! I'm already feeling better about the move and can't wait to visit the suburbs you both mentioned. We'll have to look around and probably end up focusing on what kind of houses are available to rent. Thanks so much!
@allee -- I'll have to let you know when we move, cause I'm sure I will definitely be able to use some help getting around!
I agree with PP's about Royal Oak. Check out Ferndale, too. I know several people who live there and they all love it. And whatever you do, stay the hell away from Hazel Park!
Any thoughts on the Clinton Township or Sterling Heights areas? I'm drawn to Royal Oak, but I've been looking at houses online and I'm not sure we can afford the kinds of houses we'd like there. I won't give up yet though. I haven't visited yet, hopefully in April sometime we'll get up there to look around. Sounds like the move will be in August. I know, fun time to move in the humid midwest weather huh? :)
Ferndale! I don't live there, I'm in Canton (probably too far away for you) but I looove Ferndale!
I agree. Royal oak is a good choice. Clawson is pretty close also. Beverly hills, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills may be worth the drive (about 25 mins). I live between Canton and West Bloomfield, and I drive out to Warren regularly and because it is surrounded by freeways, it is pretty easy to get to. Let me know if you need help looking for houses since I am doing the same right now. And happy house hunting :)
My brother just checked out this house in Royal Oak.. He said it was really nice, but since it only had 2 bedrooms, they decided to pass on it. It looks like it could use a little bit of cleaning of the hardwood floors and some flowers out front (you should google eastern market in detroit, btw...it's awesome) but i love those french doors!
http://www.rentalhomesplus.com/summarybz.aspx?page=summarybz&property=277842.866&SearchCriteria=oNB1uJY40cS7absKYI6oCUAbs4gehm307XgnFS9TaZjnsvwOcXwGNlEVVU6YJ8AFN-|/oHehW7YBRd2t85yiDc3Zhbmc4agZVuk8IQWX26PdJ7zrbZO-|5wVTeXF-|KwGDAGK-|JJb2vbBmtkqyTIQ9GMm1chx6xxx1z71DLqt5DnHR9K5GlclAXYkjRCXoZR7pk&prvpg=7&sid=9a866f36-886b-440e-9c47-1bd2dd7259d0&stype=CityStateOrZip&productId=B
Ferndale, Royal Oak, West Bloomfield, Clinton Twp, Shleby Twp, Utica, If you dont mind a bit of a drive Waterford is great lots of lakes and reasonable on rent. Don't think the big city feel really applies to the "burbs" of Detroit. They are mostly little areas that feel like small towns, maybe with the exception of Troy and that is because of all the high rises and Somerset Mall, it gets pretty congested with traffic during peak hours. Keep in mind that you will know if you are in a bad area by the rent and be careful of renting from anyone you think is at risk of foreclosure that is rampant around these parts right now!
GOOD LUCK!
I lived in Detroit for 3 years while I was in college and my husband is from Northville (I'm from Richmond, MI). If you're not afraid of a 45 minute commute you may want to look in more rural areas. My sister just purchased a beautiful home on the canal in Algonac for a little over 100k (the house is amazing).
Otherwise, Royal Oak (not a huge fan), Northville, Farmington, etc.. I wouldn't buy in Warren- I was there last year (I live in VA now) and it has rough parts.
I think the most important thing to consider before buying is Michigan is to realize it's a state where a lot people are out of work and struggling. There are desperate people. If you can't afford to live in the Farmington/Northville/Bloomfield Hills region (I don't care for these areas as they are high traffic, but they have great police departments) my best advice is to buy a little more rural because there is slightly more safety. That's my opinion though- I've had my car broken into in Detroit, Royal Oak AND Ferndale. In slightly more rural areas.. it's never been broken into.
I've had the exact opposite happen to me. I've never had my car broken into in either Detroit or Royal Oak. I never go to Ferndale so I can't attest to that. But I've had my car broken into in Lake Orion which is more rural than either RO or Detroit.
Also, I think she's just looking to rent at this time.
Spend some time in Rochester. Rochester Hills is great, too, but Rochester may be fit you're looking for.
If you are concerned with safety, I would try to stay away from Detroit if possible. I really like the Rochester Hills area- definitely lots of trails for jogging and very safe. You can also surprisingly find pretty cheap rent if you're willing to live in an apartment or condo.
Wow, lots of areas for us to consider...I'm anxious to get looking!!
We're not really sure if we'll be renting or buying, so we're interested in both at the moment. Buying might give us more options. Really, I don't think a 25min drive would be bad so I'll expand more into some of the cities mentioned, but 45 might be more than he's looking for. (Although I would love it!!)
I'll have to update when we've been up there and looking around!
Just a word of caution- if you think you'll be leaving within the next few years, really really consider if you want to buy. I'm in one of Detroit's Western suburbs- about 30 minutes from Warren- and people here can't even give their homes away. Buying in our area really only makes sense if you're in it for the long haul.
@MiJuneBee: Very good point. It's hard though, cause we're SO sick of apts and I'm having a hard time finding affordable houses for rent...they seem to be $1000+. Am I unrealistic thinking we could find a house for rent? Maybe a townhome or condo would be an option?
@allee: Is your brother having any luck finding a place online? I remember you saying you knew somebody who had a house for $600/mo in royal oak. I haven't really been focusing my searching on rentals (although I will do more of that now!!!) but do you have suggestions for how to find a home for rent?
Thanks for all the advice girls.....much appreciated!!
@allee2388: Eastern Market looks awesome...will have to check it out!!
Eastern Market is super fun on Saturdays. :)
I will start looking in our local newspaper for you if you'd like? Also, my friends found their rental on Craigslist.
If you PM me what some of your requirments and rent prices are, I'll be happy to check some stuff out for you. :)
I went to college at Oakland University which is in Rochester. I love (and miss) the burbs and Detroit. We are getting married in the area because it's really home to my FH and my adopted home.We are stuck in East Lansing for now while FH completes law school.
Isn't Warren close to Masdison Heights? It's nice down there, lots to do. Good luck!
So I am late to the party but I also live quite near Warren and based on your want for a quaint feel I would suggest the town I live in, Troy. Its got great value for the house you buy and our neighborhood feels very nice and quaint while still being a mere 5 minute drive from the major highway!
Just a thought! I love Rochester also, which i dont know if I saw mentioned.
You must log in to post.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Create the honeymoon of your dreams.
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| MissBoPeep | 66 |
| akp0702 | 41 |
| Mrs.KMM | 40 |
| hisgoosiegirl | 40 |
| beargoose | 39 |
| ndreighton | 38 |
| stardustintheeyes | 32 |
| Gemstone | 31 |
| BetterSherm | 31 |
| MrsPom | 29 |
| User | Posts Today |
|---|---|
| SpartyOn | 1 |
My SO's job is moving to Warren, MI and although we're not engaged yet, it's been put out there that I'm not going with him without a ring. He's on board with that, so I'm positive it's just a matter of time. (Although that does not keep me from the occasional freak out about the subject!) The plan is to move at the end of the summer. I'm a nurse, so it's likely I'll be able to find a position somewhere.
I've been trying to look at houses online, but I am so overwhelmed! We're from the Quad Cities in Iowa, which isn't a really small area, but it's nothing like a big city suburb. I'm having a hard time narrowing down the city/area we would like to focus our home search on. SO's brother lives in Macomb, so we'll probably stay in that general direction. We're not extremely well off, but we're doing well enough that we can afford a nice area, where we don't have to worry about crime in an excessive amount. I'd love to be able to jog in the evening and be safe! We haven't really driven around the area too much, but I'm worried about finding a cozy neighborhood that doesn't have a real big city feel...am I unrealistic? I'm just so not excited about the idea of moving to a city. It makes me so anxious and scared! Give me some good news! I'd appreciate some guidance about the suburb areas from all you Detroit area bees - I know everyone on here has great advice ;)