Living in Rochester Hills, MI...any opinions?

[Laugh O. Grams]

The DIS has such a vast cross section of people from all walks of life, I thought I'd probably get some good opinions here.

We live in Florida and have been doing a little research on Rochester Hills. My wife grew up in the area, bit hasn't lived there for 15+ years. I was born there, but moved out of state with my parents when I was 10 yo.

We have a lot of family in the area (Royal Oak & Troy) and after spending time living in NYC and Florida and having 2 kids (2 & 4 yo), we're considering moving to be closer to family. We've already spoken with friends & family in MI about their opinions on the area, but seeing they'd lie, cheat and steal to get us to move closer, I'm afraid they might not be the most objective people to talk to.

My wife and I own our business, which doesn't require us to live anywhere in particular, so employment opportunities are definitely not part of the equation. We own our home here in FL and intend to keep it, so we're looking to rent a newer home (possibly lease/option if the deal was fantastic) for a couple years to see how we like it. I'd appreciate opinions on schools (both public & private), quality of life, etc. Thanks...

 

[AKL_Megs]

Hello from Livonia, Mi...

Rochester Hills is a really great area... good schools and such... it is one of the nicer areas in Metro Detroit. I am pretty sure it is expensive to live there. I know a couple people who live there in HUGE houses. Any time I have driven through, gas has been higher than everywhere else!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Thanks for the response! When we were there over Thanksgiving, we looked at a few 4/2.5 large homes (McMansions that seem to be everywhere in Rochester Hills) on large 1 acre+ lots and found that as far as rents go, they were extremely reasonable. We have our oldest in private Montessori school here, so having the option to move and put her in a great public school (sadly, few and far between here in Florida) really works out on the plus side for us financially. Nice thing is, the city appears to have a real upscale feel, which we find appealing. Anyone have any input as far as the community?

 

[clovergirl5]

Hi from southwest Michigan Don't really know anything about that area(I have only lived along the lakeshore) but just welcoming you back

 

[MI mom of 3]

Rochester Hills is a lovely area and as you were told has great schools. Don't know that I would trade Florida weather for ours but to each his own.

You should have an easy time finding a great house there.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

LOL...the weather won't be much of an issue. We've always loved the snow and slush, can easily operate our business from a home office (so no punishing commute) and we'll always have our house here in Florida if we need a break.

Glad to hear that the consensus so far is good on the public education system. Any other opinions on the area?

 

[MidgeD79]

I live in Monroe (extreme SE MI) and although I have never been to Rochester Hills, I've certainly heard about it. I agree it's very upscale and I think it's not too far from Great Lakes Crossing and they have a Disney outlet store!

 

[manning]

Hi from southwest Michigan Don't really know anything about that area(I have only lived along the lakeshore) but just welcoming you back

Anywhere around Lakeside?

OP what part of metro Detroit is that?

 

[antmaril]

Hi from Sterling Heights, Michigan. Rochester Hills is a lovely area. Beautiful neighborhoods with easy access to shopping, freeways, etc. Schools are good. Excellent area.

I love shopping at the Village of Rochester Hills (upscale restaurants and shops).

 

[travelbug]

Hello from Rochester Hills! I've lived in this area for a very long time, and it's such a nice place to live. As others have said, there's a good public school system here as well as some outstanding private & parochial schools. Plenty of great restaurants, a charming downtown area, lots of activities year round for all ages, a fabulous public library, no shortage of shopping (!), etc.

Having said all that, the Michigan economy has obviously taken a terrible hit. Many have lost jobs and times are much tougher than in the past. But it sounds like employment isn't an issue for you. One definite upside for anyone house hunting is that you get a lot of bang for the buck around here these days.

By the way, most of Rochester Hills is in the Rochester School District. But a small part of it is in the Avondale School District. So watch for that as you look for houses.

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know, or any way I can help you.

 

[clovergirl5]

Anywhere around Lakeside?

OP what part of metro Detroit is that?

I grew up in Holland, MI (tulip time) Right now we are southwest of Grand Rapids, near Allegan.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Hello from Rochester Hills! I've lived in this area for a very long time, and it's such a nice place to live. As others have said, there's a good public school system here as well as some outstanding private & parochial schools. Plenty of great restaurants, a charming downtown area, lots of activities year round for all ages, a fabulous public library, no shortage of shopping (!), etc.

Having said all that, the Michigan economy has obviously taken a terrible hit. Many have lost jobs and times are much tougher than in the past. But it sounds like employment isn't an issue for you. One definite upside for anyone house hunting is that you get a lot of bang for the buck around here these days.

By the way, most of Rochester Hills is in the Rochester School District. But a small part of it is in the Avondale School District. So watch for that as you look for houses.

Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know, or any way I can help you.

Thank you so much for the tip on the Rochester v. Avondale School Districts. That's a huge help! I went back and looked at the homes that caught our eye and fortunately, all of them fall in the Rochester School District. We're considering making the move come Spring, so we're contacting a realtor this week for a short conversation about rental availability in area and I'll be sure to bring it up with them. Do you have any opinions (pro or con) about specific elementary schools in the area?

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Hello from SE and mid-Michigan.

Rochester is a nice place to live, and a bit upscale as others have said (though not in the realm of Grosse Point or Bloomfied Hills). Right now it has a good night life and downtown area that young folks appear to appreciate. I have a few friends living there, and one or two folks in my company. The schools are pretty good.

If proximity to Detroit isn't your main concern, you might want to try looking in some other local communities. To the west of the city (generally between Detroit and Ann Arbor) are a lot of nice places that you might not look to if you were focused just on Rochester. A little less urban in style.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Hello from SE and mid-Michigan.

Rochester is a nice place to live, and a bit upscale as others have said (though not in the realm of Grosse Point or Bloomfied Hills). Right now it has a good night life and downtown area that young folks appear to appreciate. I have a few friends living there, and one or two folks in my company. The schools are pretty good.

If proximity to Detroit isn't your main concern, you might want to try looking in some other local communities. To the west of the city (generally between Detroit and Ann Arbor) are a lot of nice places that you might not look to if you were focused just on Rochester. A little less urban in style.

We looked at Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield Hills, but were under the impression that the residents in those communities tended to be a bit older. Nothing against that demographic, but with a 4 and 2 yo, what we're looking for is a place with good schools and young families. From what we've seen, Rochester Hills seems to fit that bill. If you don't mind, what other cities specifically might be worth a look?

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Northville comes to mind (looks to be about the same demographic as what you've mentioned). South Lyon or Milford (perhaps a bit farther away than what you're looking for). Canton/Bellevielle/Van Buren Township is an area DH and I are considering moving to in the next few years.

If you don't mind heading downriver, though, I do have to put in a vote for my hometown of Grosse Ile. Upscale? Yes. A lot of older people? Yes. But no better place to raise kids, in my opinion. I'd move back in a heartbeat if DH weren't dead set against it.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Northville comes to mind (looks to be about the same demographic as what you've mentioned). South Lyon or Milford (perhaps a bit farther away than what you're looking for). Canton/Bellevielle/Van Buren Township is an area DH and I are considering moving to in the next few years.

If you don't mind heading downriver, though, I do have to put in a vote for my hometown of Grosse Ile. Upscale? Yes. A lot of older people? Yes. But no better place to raise kids, in my opinion. I'd move back in a heartbeat if DH weren't dead set against it.

Nice thing we've got going for us is that aside from access to my wife's family, we're not really pinned down on living anywhere specifically in the region really, so our options are wide open. I'll definitely add all of your suggestions to our search, and take a close look at Grosse Ile. Thank you!

 

[cabanafrau]

Now is the time to buy in Michigan if you can, because you will indeed get tremendous bang for your buck. I'd take a serious look at Grosse Pointe if you're willing to consider the east side. Educational opportunities for your kids will be better than Rochester, hands down.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Now is the time to buy in Michigan if you can, because you will indeed get tremendous bang for your buck. I'd take a serious look at Grosse Pointe if you're willing to consider the east side. Educational opportunities for your kids will be better than Rochester, hands down.

I definitely hear you. That being said, I really don't see a bottom in the real estate market yet, so renting a house for a couple years is the direction were going in for now. I feel pretty secure that even if the market turned around today, I don't think we'll see the rapid increases that we saw on the market 7-10 years ago, so we have time. Besides, we plan on really getting to know the area before we'd pull the trigger on a purchase.

Thank you for your suggestion on Grosse Pointe. We'll take a harder look at it again.

 

[jodifla]

I definitely hear you. That being said, I really don't see a bottom in the real estate market yet, so renting a house for a couple years is the direction were going in for now. I feel pretty secure that even if the market turned around today, I don't think we'll see the rapid increases that we saw on the market 7-10 years ago, so we have time. Besides, we plan on really getting to know the area before we'd pull the trigger on a purchase.

Thank you for your suggestion on Grosse Pointe. We'll take a harder look at it again.

One thing you should note about the schools....they are in MAJOR turmoil now with huge spending slashes in the middle of the year. The way they fund schools in Michigan (sales tax) isn't working, and there are more cuts likely. There are plans to make huge cuts in my son's district in the middle of the year. Class sizes may explode -- and this is a problem statewide.

Quality wise, schools are hit and miss in Michigan as well. In fact, the FLorida program we had was FAR superior to the Michigan one we moved to. I like his current district, but who knows what will happen in the future with all these cuts.

Maybe it will be different for you because you have extensive family here, but we really miss Florida and wish we were back there. The weather here last year was terrible -- no summer to speak of. There are NO jobs, and it's very depressing to see all the boarded up buildings. Even if you are working, it's hard to watch all the people struggling around you.

We've also found it to be a pretty locked-in kind of place. It's been very difficult to make new friends here....and I hear that from lots of people who have moved here from elsewhere. While in Florida everyone is new all the time, and people are predisposed to add new people to their lives, it's not so in Michigan. (My husband grew up here, and also finds it to be the case. He describes it as, everyone is friendly, but no one is your friend.)

Rochester Hills IS very nice. And they have a reputation of a good school system. Since you are mobile, and can rent without getting into a house you may never be able to sell, it could be a good fit for you to at least try out.

But this Floridian wants to go home.

 

[cabanafrau]

I definitely hear you. That being said, I really don't see a bottom in the real estate market yet, so renting a house for a couple years is the direction were going in for now. I feel pretty secure that even if the market turned around today, I don't think we'll see the rapid increases that we saw on the market 7-10 years ago, so we have time. Besides, we plan on really getting to know the area before we'd pull the trigger on a purchase.

Thank you for your suggestion on Grosse Pointe. We'll take a harder look at it again.

Missed the part about renting. Good idea & quite possible these days.