Where should a single 30 something live in MI?
 

I received a job offer that would require me to move from Chicago proper to the Detroit area. I'm looking at Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas since it seems to fit my commuting and housing budget. I also like its' liberal lean. However, do you think Ann Arbor is a fun and interesting place for someone who is 30ish and single? Would I make up a scant minority? What neighborhoods /areas would you recommend? In the following weeks, I'll be visiting to scout out a place to live. I appreciate any information or feedback. Thanks!

If you are going to be working in Ann Arbor, I would chose to live somewhere close by. I live about 20 miles north and commute into AA for work. I can't really tell you about the singles scene, but with the campus in the middle of town, it's easy to find a younger group nearby.

There are two business districts, one on Main street and one closer to campus on State street. Main street is usually an older crowd, State is right next to campus so more youth around. Both are linked by Liberty with various offices and some retail.

When we first moved to the area we lived in AA at Valley Ranch apts, south of town. We liked the managment a lot and they were freeway close as well as close to shopping. It was surprisingly devoid of the loud party types associated with a college, so we were happy to find it. Of course if that's what you want, move close to campus.

Hope this helps. If you need more, email me at [email protected]

SEW many thanks for the great local info...
I probably should clarify my original post: I don't think that the post -collegiate party circuit would be a good fit for me (I'm a bit too old). However, I'm not ready to live in a traditional suburb either. I hope to find more of a happy medium. Please offer any and all suggestions and opinions of the social make-up of the area. Thanks in advance to all who respond.

Are you working in Ann Arbor?...If not, you may want to look at Royal Oak or Ferndale area (suburbs of Detroit).

I'd live in Chicago.

Depending upon which city the job is in, I would also second the idea of Royal Oak, Ferndale, Birmingham, Berkley area. Lots of 20/30s single and DINKS. Great restaurants, bars, shopping. I have worked in Ann Arbor and do not prefer it but that is just my opinion.

If you have any other questions, I would be happy to help. Welcome to Detroit!

Don't do it if you can avoid it- I've been here for close to a year, and the greater Detroit area works hard to keep its bad reputation.

Also, is the job in Detroit, or a suburb? From what I can tell, instead of having a vibrant, safe downtown, the city itself is like Chicago's south side, and the trendy downtown area would be Royal Oak. Birmingham is the classic yuppie suburb that every large city has.

If you want more of a recent transplant's perspective, you can email me at lenora_m_s at yahoo.com. My husband is from here, so I can bounce stuff off of him as well.

Wow, again, thank you for the great info. Based on some of the opinions, I'm a little nervous about the move now (for lifestyle reasons, not safety reasons. However, I will check out the Royal Oak / Ferndale area.

My new position will be in Wyandotte, so the commute should be ok, right?

Are there decent rental properties in the Royal Oak, Berkley and Ferndale areas. If so, what are the going rates?

Lucy, you will NOT want to live in the areas previously discussed if your job is in Wyandotte. Even Ann Arbor would be a drive. You would be closer to Toledo!

That is in the "downriver" area. There are plenty of great rental properties in that area. You could be close to water as well.

While many people who live north of Detroit don't like the downriver area, I have also worked there and it is a growing community. You would be within about 25-30 minutes of activites in downtown Detroit, Toledo and a little further to Ann Arbor. It is actually a great location for experiencing the area.

I believe you should be able to rent an apartment/condo for under $800/month in that area.

Good luck!

Lucy,
I live in Wyandotte (www.wyandotte.net)and you have received some good advice. The drive from Ann Arbor to Wyandotte is a good 45 min each way in good weather; the drive to the north side of town (Royal Oak, Birmingham, etc) will be longer than that. The 'nightclub' scene is pretty scant downriver, but a little bit of a drive for more exciting nightlife isn't as bad as the daily commute. Depending on your interests, there are always ways to find your place and new friends in a new community, you might just have to seek them out. The downriver area tends to be less trendy than Royal Oak and the like. Wyandotte has a nice downtown with a couple of coffe houses, some shopping and restaurants, an art fair (2nd to Ann Arbor's), ethnic festivals at Yack Arena and many church festivals in the summer. Housing (to purchase) downriver is much cheaper - maybe as much as 40% less than in some north side areas. There are lots of rental housing options - some nice areas to live and some that I wouldn't recommend. Depending on what you want to limit your drive to, you could consider Dearborn or Canton, too. Taking a look around in person would be the best. Feel free to email me at dsgmi at aol .com for specifics. Keep in mind that public transportation is less than stellar in SE Michigan; you will count on your car. Oh, and there's an Ikea in Canton if you're a fan, so you won't have to go all the way back to Chicago for that :)!