A few months ago, Hour Detroit Magazine dished out an article talking about the top towns of 2024, focusing on the best places to live in Metro Detroit. You’ll never guess the places on this list.
When Hour Detroit decided to write this article, they jumped in with both feet to truly outline areas that have the qualities that people ACTUALLY look for, and so they had a survey that listed 13 factors to choose from and to rank them from important to very important, and these categories were diversity and inclusivity, downtown quality, health care access, housing affordability, job market, crime and safety, parks and green space, public schools, single family and multifamily homes, transportation, walkability and reputation. Over a 2 month span that got around 500 people to take this survey and with their responses, they looked at 20+ municipalities in 4 counties: Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, while also asking surveyors what 3 cities they considered to be the top towns to live, and you’d never guess what the results are.
I’m going to break down a few communities from each area and show you the most expensive home that has sold within the last year in each of the mentioned places. Keep in mind these are not in any ranked order. Let’s get to it. Oh and before I dive head first into this list I have linked videos I have made for several of these communities that I have gone over in the past to give you additional insight if you want it. Okay now let’s get to it.
Oakland County Michigan:
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Berkley Michigan
Kicking it off with the first place on their article in Oakland county and that’s Berkley, Michigan. It was voted highly due to its quintessential little town, with walkability, shops, bowling ally, record store, festivals and all those little things that make a small town community amazing. The city Manager Matthew Baumgarten said, “Berkley’s best asset is how it blends downtown with suburban living, with the access to the greater metropolitan area.” and that is such a great way to outline Berkley in one sentence.
With that being said I want to show you the most expensive home that sold in Berkley Michigan over the last 365 days. Located just a few blocks away from the Woodward corridor, this new construction home with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,350 square feet craftsman style home with an unfinished basement with a 2 car garage and situated on 0.13 acres and comes in at a whopping $750,000, which comes in at the 2nd cheapest home on the list when outlining the most expensive in each area.
Here's a video about Berkley Michigan HERE
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Birmingham Michigan
Jumping on over to area number 2 on this list, we have good ole Birmingham, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise, because this community is truly one of a kind in metro Detroit. The Hour Detroit article says this community has it all and then some, BUT lacks in the affordability department, which I think we can all agree with. This prestigious community is padded on the back for it’s sprawling downtown with all the options you could ever need and more, while having a top rated school district, picturesque residential streets, and 230+ acres of park land, and nature trails near and along the Rogue river.
Just along the Woodward corridor awaits a custom contemporary gem that will have anyone driving by breaking their necks looking at this AZD architectural masterpiece. With 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 8,100 square feet of living space, with a 3 car garage, situated on 0.33 acres and built in 2023. Save thousands by never having to turn on a light until night. That’s the slogan and i’m sticking to it. This home sold for a price tag of $4.6 million.
Here's videos about Birmingham Michigan:
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Bloomfield Hills Michigan
Bloomfield Township Michigan
West Bloomfield Township Michigan
Slithering over to area #3 on the list, we have Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield Township, which probably doesn’t come as a surprise either as most people would say this area is just an extension of Birmingham with a little more space to stretch your legs from your neighbors, but also offering a unique way of living in each with West Bloomfield having more lakefront options and Seclusion similar to Bloomfield Township. These communities jumped onto this list not only for its cleanliness and upkeep, but the golf courses, the lakes, the top ranked school system, the Cranbrook educational community, the nature centers, and the landscape of course.
Again, near the Woodward corridor in Bloomfield Hills, we have a newly constructed colonial with 6 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 9,211 total square feet, with an in ground pool, 4 car garage, and situated on 1.19 acres. Despite it’s recent birthday, this home is full of character and touches of history in a community where it is well known. This home sold for $6,850,000.
I also wanted to shed some light on the most expensive home located in the township of Bloomfield as well, so here we have a home on the eastern side of the township in the middle of all the lakes and away from the Woodward corridor. With 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 9,083 total square feet, with a 5 car garage, and situated on 0.88 acres and built in the year 2,000 with a pool AND some good ole water frontage, and your purchase receipt comes out to $4,518,000.
West Bloomfield Township Michigan on the other hand has a contemporary home on a lake with 5 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 10,433 square feet, a 4 car garage, built in 1985 and situated on over 5 acres. This is a home that pictures could never do justice for that’s for sure, and we have a price tag of $5,970,000.
Here's videos about Bloomfield Hills Michigan:
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Commerce Township Michigan
Moving right along to area #4 on the list, which may actually come as a surprise and that’s commerce township. Hour Detroit calls Commerce township a breath of fresh air, having the outdoor activities readily available such as hiking, fishing, their new pickleball courts of course, and all the events that bring this township together despite not having a designated downtown, which is an awesome accomplishment, all while being neighborhood scouts 38th safest community in America in 2023.
The home we are chatting about today is a colonial situated on a lake with 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 5,660 square feet, with a 3 car garage, built in 2013 and situated on 0.36 acres. It also has an indoor basketball court and some solar panels to save on electricity too. This home clocks in at $1,575,000.
Here's videos about Commerce Township Michigan:
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Lake Orion Michigan
Orion Township Michigan
Shifting gears to area #5 on the list, we have the one and only Orion Township and village of Lake Orion, which may also come as a surprise to you as this community often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves being in the northern part of southeast Michigan. The township supervisor said their motto is, we’re living as a vacation”, because they have 42 lakes that are larger than 5 acres, nature trails and other outdoor recreational activities, as well as there awesome downtown area, while having the blue ribbon awarded lake Orion community schools.
Taking a gander at the most expensive home in the area that sold, we have this 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with 3,423 square feet, a 3 car garage, built in 1981 and situated on 0.30 acres, while being situated on the highly desirable lake Orion. Your invoice for this home is $1,270,000.
Here's a video about Lake Orion Michigan HERE
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Rochester Michigan
Rochester Hills Michigan
Sliding on over to area #6 on the list, we have a community just a few stones thrown south in Rochester and Rochester Hills. This community is praised for being a charming small town with a big city feel. Downtown Rochester has more than 350 shops, restaurants, and businesses, while Rochester Hills supports the outdoor recreation with 14 community parks, and over 140 acres of protected space.
The Rochester Hills Mayor even said in the article that they have been the safest city in Michigan for the last 7 years among cities their size according to the FBI. There’s so many events, history, and attractions that bring people from all over to this spot in Metro Detroit.
Kicking it off with a Rochester home, we have a cottage style home near main street with 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 5,104 square feet, a 2 car garage, situated on 0.20 acres and built in 2022. This home is truly an architectural masterpiece with an English infused style. All that beauty wrapped in a bow for the cost of $2,468,000.
In Rochester Hills however, We take a large step out from downtown to admire this 5 bedroom, 6 bathroom colonial with 6,273 square feet, with a 4 car garage, situated on 0.43 acres and built in 2015. This home has a price tag of $1,775,000.
Here's videos about Rochester and Rochester Hills Michigan:
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Royal Oak Michigan
Galloping along to area number 7 on this list, we have Royal Oak. Known best for it’s extraordinary nightlife, and dining options, not only having a wonderful walkable downtown, but dedicated green spaces, and being crowned one of the first cities in Michigan to be given the Tree City USA by the arbor day foundation award. The city has 51 parks that you probably didn’t know all about, with events, festivals, and constant celebrations.
Near the Woodward corridor we have a 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom colonial with 7,018 square feet and a 3 car garage, built in 2020 and situated on just over half an acre. With all the natural light and wood finishes, this home will definitely have you waving your wallet around, but keep in mind, you’d be paying $2,850,00.
Here's videos about Royal Oak Michigan:
Macomb County Michigan:
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Clinton Township Michigan
Switching gears to some communities in Macomb county, we have area #8 and that’s Clinton Township. Clinton Township found its way on this list being one of the most populous towns in Michigan and known for the Sanders Chocolate factory and being home to the rapper Eminem, It has the mall at Partridge Creek, and over 90 stores and restaurants, as well as the Clinton river for all your water activities and trails around.
Taking a look at the home, we have a 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom home in an exclusive gated community, with 5,531 square feet, and a 4 car garage, situated on 0.59 acres and built in 2024. This is a blank canvas just waiting for a personal touch, and comes in at a price of $1,364,500.
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Utica Michigan
Hopping on over to area #9, we have Utica. This under 2 square mile small town hurled its way on the list for having a charming historic district, the parks, the green spaces, the zoo, the aquarium, and of course the downtown district chalked full of restaurants, not an overwhelming amount, but they are there, and the Mayor is proud to say they have maintained their own independent police and fire department, which is cool.
Here comes the cheapest home on the list in Northern Utica near Shelby Township, which has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3,398 square feet, a 2 car garage, built in 2019 and situated on 0.14 acres. And this colonial has a price tag under $500,000 at $495,000.
Washtenaw County Michigan:
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Ann Arbor Michigan
Scio Township Michigan
Scurrying our way into Washtenaw county, we have to shed light on area #10 and that’s Ann Arbor as well as Scio township. I don’t think I need to hype up Ann Arbor very much as it’s considered the most livable cities in the nation, from the downtown walkability, the offerings, the overflowing amenities, the healthcare system, the education, and so much more that I couldn’t possibly have enough hands to count on, then we step outside the city into Scio Township between Ann Arbor and Dexter which has that green space while taking advantage of the Ann Arbor school district and the amenities. And If you’re someone who doesn’t know a lot about Michigan, you’ll find out that outside of the local government for having a township, city and village, the townships tend to complement the cities well with ruralness and green space.
Coming in at the highest priced property on this list, chilling in Ann Arbor, we have a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo with just over 2,000 square feet, with a parking garage, and was built in 2022. This condo is in the middle of all the action and has a price tag of $1.1 million (there's more expensive homes, this home had a sold price that was a typo of $11M initially).
As far as Scio township, we have a contemporary farm house that is on over 16 acres with 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 6,461 square feet, a 3 car garage, and outbuildings, a pond, and built in 2000. This home has one image as I believe it sold off market and was listed solely for comparable sale purposes, which came out to be $2.1 million.
Here's videos about Ann Arbor Michigan:
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Dexter Michigan
Dexter Township Michigan
To warp up Washtenaw county, we have #11 on the list, the Dexter, Dexter township and Webster township area. This area made its way on the list for not only being close to Ann Arbor, and a town that feels like it should've been in Gilmore girls, it has too many trails to count, the Huron river, the dexter cider mill, the Hudson mills Metropark, and a wide variety in offerings in each of the areas that should never be overlooked. This is an area of metro Detroit that also doesn’t get the recognition it deserves while being a small yet well-rounded area.
The home we are peaking at, is a ranch situated on over 10 acres with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3,755 square feet, 3 car garage, and was built in 2023. It is a full blown wooded oasis here, and that’s the beauty of the location. You can be close to Ann Arbor and lean into those amenities but have this up north feeling just miles down the street. This one would take $1.25 million out of your bank account.
Here's a video about Dexter Michigan HERE
Wayne County Michigan:
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Grosse Pointe Michigan
Grosse Pointe Park Michigan
Grosse Pointe Woods Michigan
Grosse Pointe Shores Michigan
Grosse Pointe Farms Michigan
Grosse Ile Michigan
Switching gears to Wayne county, we have area #12 and that is the Grosse Pointe’s, including Grosse ile (eel) township as well. If you’ve seen my video about the pointe’s you’d say these communities don’t require an explanation either, as each of the 5 adjacent towns have something different to bring to the table. You have the quaint downtown spaces, the unbelievable architecture, the marinas and country clubs, the waterfront parks along lake St. Clair, and I’m hardly scratching the surface.
Going down the list of homes in each area, we have Grosse pointe woods with a 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom colonial with 6,470 square feet with a 3 car garage, built in 1956 and situated on 3 quarters of an acre with a price tag of $1,286,000.
In the village of Grosse pointe shores, we have a waterfront cape cod with 4 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 10,321 square feet, a 3 car garage, and built in 1999 and situated on 0.40 acres and this receipt checks out at $2,950,000.
Moving south we have Grosse Pointe Farms with another waterfront cape cod with 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 6,315 square feet, a 3 car garage, built in 1995 and situated on 0.88 acres, and this will take $4,175,000 one dollar bills to make happen.
Moving more south we have Grosse pointe park which has a architectural gem of a French colonial designed by Robert O. Derrick with an inground salt water pool right next to lake St. Clair, with 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 8,532 square feet, 3 car garage, a separate carriage house apartment, and situated on just over 1 acre with a $1,950,000 price tag.
Last but not least we have Grosse Pointe, which is home to a 1949 carriage house with 2 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, with lake St. Clair frontage, an inground pool, 2,630 square feet, a 2 car garage and situated on just under an acre for $2,200,000. Seems like a lot based on what I talked about but this 40,000 square feet of lake frontage includes a private island as well.
Here's videos about The Grosse Pointe(s) of Michigan HERE
The BEST Places To Live Near Detroit Michigan In 2025:
Northville Michigan
Northville Township Michigan
The last area I’ll shed light on is area #13, Northville and Northville Township. Northville is known for being a smaller upscale community with restaurant and shop offerings as well as parks and recreation, all while having highly ranked schools, and having an historic district that is truly unlike any other.
Kicking off with a home in the city of Northville, we have this 4 bedroom, 6 bathroom colonial with 6,578 square feet, a 3.5 car garage, built in 2007 and situated on just over half an acre. The lot, originally owned by Henry Ford himself, has a nice slice of waterfront views of a pond., and is coming in at $2,910,000.
Skipping on over to Northville township, this home has taken more of the modern contemporary look with 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 5,376 square feet, a 4 car garage, built in 2022 and situated on just over half an acre, and is also in close proximity to Maybury park which is a top notch state park for all things outdoor, and that comes in at $2,450,000.
Here's videos about Northville Michigan:
The burning question to you is after seeing all these homes, which one would you live in and why? Comment below.
If you’re thinking about moving to Michigan in 1 day or a million, feel free to reach out anytime, I also have a link to the Living in Michigan newsletter to give you insight on all things Michigan, so be sure to subscribe so you never miss out! Thanks for reading, until next time.
Cheers,
Andrew
Andrew McManamon is a Michigan REALTOR® with Signature Sotheby’s International Realty and provides real estate services to Buyers, Sellers and Investors throughout SE Michigan including Livingston County, Oakland County, Washtenaw County, Genesee County & beyond. Andrew has become one of the pillars of Michigan real estate. Prior to his real estate career Andrew was responsible for managing a senior living facility in Brighton, Michigan as a dining supervisor and an activities assistant. Andrew’s passion to help people is unlike any other, and he continues to strive to be the best resource he can be. Andrew graduated from Cleary University in Howell, Michigan with a double major in business and marketing, and currently resides in Brighton, Michigan.
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