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

[Laugh O. Grams]

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.

Thank you so much for your opinion!

As to you missing Florida, I completely understand, but in reverse. We moved down here from Manhattan about 3 years ago and I thought that we would end up moving back to NYC this Spring. Turns out, my wife really wants to move closer to her family and she has a ton of friends in SE Michigan (she went to Michigan for her first two years of college), so I'm up for the adventure. To add, I still have fond memories of SE MI as a boy so it's definitely a plus. We won't be severing all ties with FL, as we're planning on keeping our house down here so we have a spot to vacation for a month or two if we need a getaway.

I definitely heard about school cuts, but understood that they were minimal due to their connection with Michigan's federal stimulus funds. Do you have an article you might be able to link here?

 

[jodifla]

Thank you so much for your opinion!

As to you missing Florida, I completely understand, but in reverse. We moved down here from Manhattan about 3 years ago and I thought that we would end up moving back to NYC this Spring. Turns out, my wife really wants to move closer to her family and she has a ton of friends in SE Michigan (she went to Michigan for her first two years of college), so I'm up for the adventure. To add, I still have fond memories of SE MI as a boy so it's definitely a plus. We won't be severing all ties with FL, as we're planning on keeping our house down here so we have a spot to vacation for a month or two if we need a getaway.

I definitely heard about school cuts, but understood that they were minimal due to their connection with Michigan's federal stimulus funds. Do you have an article you might be able to link here?

The battle is still in full swing...from Dec. 1

http://detnews.com/article/20091202/SCHOOLS/912020341/Michigan-school-cuts--parent-protests-continue

Michigan school cuts, parent protests continue
Karen Bouffard / Detroit News Lansing Bureau

Lansing -- Faced with the largest school aid cuts in Michigan history, districts statewide are slashing everything from academics to athletics -- even community programs -- to balance the books.

And through the more than 2,000 protesters at a recent West Bloomfield rally and a lone tent pitched on the Capitol lawn on Tuesday by a Center Line mom, parents are voicing their alarm.

"If we don't make education a priority for our kids, tents like these could be their future," said Dee Lindeman, who has three children in the Center Line school district.

"We are not sitting by and letting this whole thing happen to us," said Gail Ruby, who attended a rally last month at West Bloomfield High School.

The West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, a parents' fundraising group, has asked families to pledge $1 a day -- or $365 -- each to help the schools.

Many are looking for ways to help. Parent Teacher Student Associations will hold bake sales around the state today to draw attention to the funding crisis.

 

[travelbug]

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?

I'll send you a PM.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

The battle is still in full swing...from Dec. 1

http://detnews.com/article/20091202/SCHOOLS/912020341/Michigan-school-cuts--parent-protests-continue

Michigan school cuts, parent protests continue
Karen Bouffard / Detroit News Lansing Bureau

Lansing -- Faced with the largest school aid cuts in Michigan history, districts statewide are slashing everything from academics to athletics -- even community programs -- to balance the books.

And through the more than 2,000 protesters at a recent West Bloomfield rally and a lone tent pitched on the Capitol lawn on Tuesday by a Center Line mom, parents are voicing their alarm.

"If we don't make education a priority for our kids, tents like these could be their future," said Dee Lindeman, who has three children in the Center Line school district.

"We are not sitting by and letting this whole thing happen to us," said Gail Ruby, who attended a rally last month at West Bloomfield High School.

The West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, a parents' fundraising group, has asked families to pledge $1 a day -- or $365 -- each to help the schools.

Many are looking for ways to help. Parent Teacher Student Associations will hold bake sales around the state today to draw attention to the funding crisis.

Thanks. I read somewhere that the percentage cut was a little over 2% of the total budget?

Frankly, looking at the Rochester Community School District's school rankings, I'm blown away by all the A rated schools. Coming from Palm Beach County, where I we have, I believe, a single (that's right, 1) A rated elementary school in our district, that's a huge game changer for how we planned on educating our girls. Obviously, if it didn't work out, we could always move them back into private school.

We've got a call into one of my wife's dear friends from college who currently teaches at Cranbrook for her opinion on what's going on in the public school system, so we're waiting to hear on that as well.

I'll send you a PM.

Thanks!!

 

[jodifla]

Thanks. I read somewhere that the percentage cut was a little over 2% of the total budget?

Frankly, looking at the Rochester Community School District's school rankings, I'm blown away by all the A rated schools. Coming from Palm Beach County, where I we have, I believe, a single (that's right, 1) A rated elementary school in our district, that's a huge game changer for how we planned on educating our girls. Obviously, if it didn't work out, we could always move them back into private school.

We've got a call into one of my wife's dear friends from college who currently teaches at Cranbrook for her opinion on what's going on in the public school system, so we're waiting to hear on that as well.




Thanks!!

The percentage cut doesn't seem like much, but because of the way the budget is structured, what they have to trim seems to be mainly teachers and programs. The other problem is they have to get ALL that money out of the remaining months of the year....these aren't next year's cuts we are talking about...well, next school year. The cuts will happen in January.

The cuts they are talking about making to our district would be devastating.

I lived in Broward County....are there really only those few schools with A ratings left? I recall running listings of schools with many A ratings...our local elementary school was a "A" school in Broward.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

The percentage cut doesn't seem like much, but because of the way the budget is structured, what they have to trim seems to be mainly teachers and programs. The other problem is they have to get ALL that money out of the remaining months of the year....these aren't next year's cuts we are talking about...well, next school year. The cuts will happen in January.

The cuts they are talking about making to our district would be devastating.

I lived in Broward County....are there really only those few schools with A ratings left? I recall running listings of schools with many A ratings...our local elementary school was a "A" school in Broward.

I've only looked in our district and the schools we're zoned for, so I'm clueless as to what's going on in Broward. The counties to the south of us could be better off because they're more established and pretty well built out. All I know is that education-wise, it's pretty bleak here. I wouldn't doubt if things are worse off since you left. Reports came in about a month ago showed last year, more people moved out of Florida than moved in. Not good for a state that depends on growth for survival...

 

[jodifla]

I've only looked in our district and the schools we're zoned for, so I'm clueless as to what's going on in Broward. The counties to the south of us could be better off because they're more established and pretty well built out. All I know is that education-wise, it's pretty bleak here. I wouldn't doubt if things are worse off since you left. Reports came in about a month ago showed last year, more people moved out of Florida than moved in. Not good for a state that depends on growth for survival...

I have friends with kids in Boca Raton schools, and they are quite happy with them.

And talk about a state where people are leaving....again, I'd just caution on the schools here in Michigan. Rochester Hills has a great repuation, but the situation here is not good, and I'd do a lot of reading/researching to see how they'll be affected.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I have friends with kids in Boca Raton schools, and they are quite happy with them.

And talk about a state where people are leaving....again, I'd just caution on the schools here in Michigan. Rochester Hills has a great repuation, but the situation here is not good, and I'd do a lot of reading/researching to see how they'll be affected.

That I will. Thank you again for the suggestions!!

 

[jodifla]

That I will. Thank you again for the suggestions!!

You mentioned Bloomfield Hills. That has traditionally been one of the wealthiest school districts in the area. But they've lost so much population, they had to close schools. So people who loved their school and moved there just to go to that school, saw it closed and their kid shipped off to another school. Many districts in Michigan are considering closing schools as a money saver.

Another difference.... A LOT of money is spent on maintaining all the different school districts. Almost each city has its own district in Michigan, unlike the countywide Fla. districts. The local control is nice, but then a whole administrative staff...superintendent, spokesperson, HR, admistrative staff, have to be paid for.

 

[alise007]

I realize this post is several years old but was wondering if the OP did move to Rochester Hills and Do You Like It?!?!

Hubby will probably end up transferring with his current automotive supplier company either this year or next in Auburn Hills.

I have been looking into Rochester Hills, Lake Orion, Bloomfield Hills and depending on commute times maybe would go as far as Shelby.

The comments about it being upscale--does that mean its snobby or are people friendly and welcoming? We have a 5 and 7 year old. Soccer for the boy, gymnastics and maybe some dance for the girl.

I don't mind cold weather at all. We lived in Pittsburgh for many years and loved it there.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I realize this post is several years old but was wondering if the OP did move to Rochester Hills and Do You Like It?!?!

Hubby will probably end up transferring with his current automotive supplier company either this year or next in Auburn Hills.

I have been looking into Rochester Hills, Lake Orion, Bloomfield Hills and depending on commute times maybe would go as far as Shelby.

The comments about it being upscale--does that mean its snobby or are people friendly and welcoming? We have a 5 and 7 year old. Soccer for the boy, gymnastics and maybe some dance for the girl.

I don't mind cold weather at all. We lived in Pittsburgh for many years and loved it there.

Ahhh! Stalker!!!

We did move and now live in downtown Rochester, which is right next to Rochester Hills. Love the historic Arts & Crafts homes and the general small town feel of downtown main street.

The public schools are absolutely incredible, really second to none. While Rochester is considered an "upscale" community, we've lived all up and down the East Coast, but have never experienced such warmth in any town we've lived in, from Palm Beach to Manhattan. I don't know, maybe it's those Midwestern sensibilities you hear so much about.

Tons of festivals year round, very active social calendar with more charitable benefits than you can shake a stick at (if you're into those things) and fantastic youth sporting leagues.

Best thing is, if you want a downtown city experience, Detroit is about 30-40 minutes away, with football, baseball, hockey, the theater, museums, restaurants, etc. Forget the horror stories you've heard, while far from perfect, Detroit is definitely on the rise.

I wish you luck in your search and I'll be the first to welcome your family to Michigan!

 

[alise007]

Well we got extended here in Germany last spring and I forgot about posting this!!! Thanks for the response.

Probably (hopefully) headed that way this July. Now with my kids schooling--I have a new stumbling block! We are currently attending an International Primary Years School based program. It seems like Oxford Public schools are also following the PYP/IB program. My kids are thriving in the program! Of course it helps that we can apply a lot of the things they learn in person living in Europe (like visit Pompeii, Roman Coleseum, the Louvre)!

Not sure if I want the added distance for hubby's commute and probably all of the shopping/extra curricular activities driving to Rochester/RHills for me!

Of course the newer/cheaper housing in the area isn't so bad either in comparison to what I am finding in the same price ranges in Rochester. Lake Orion seems a good choice as well. Hubby's work is near Great Lakes Crossing. The schools are also rated highly and while its probably a long shot would love the Year Round School.

 

[ols386]

LOG,

Glad you are back in Michigan. I thought you lived in the Rochester area.

I love that area. There is so much to do, and downtown Rochester is absolutely charming.

 

[DavidRoch]

Best place to live, september is famous here because the color change. GREAT JOBS, GREAT PEOPLE, Country and trees like no other town, enfact I think they call it tree usa here... I get my food from whole foods and trader joes and I have always taken my family to get ice cream and donuts and yates, then we get our new glasses for school at 20/20 Vision... We have a walmart and 2 meijer, a kroger or 2 maybe and plenty of nice places to swim and hike! Great Place!