Michigan is famous for being the home base of America’s auto industry, but the Great Lakes State is the perfect state. put aside the harsh, long winters, though you might start looking at the glass half full if you lived here long enough.
for starters, michigan has natural beauty so abundant it’s hard to match.
No other state claims as vast an expanse of freshwater coastline as Michigan and its 3,000 miles of coastline, with a million family-friendly attractions built naturally to encourage an active outdoor lifestyle.
Everyone here lives within six miles of a stream or lake, but this shouldn’t come as a surprise given that the state has a staggering 11,000 inland lakes.
From millions of acres of forests to thousands of miles of scenic trails, golf courses and ski areas, 100 parks and recreation areas minus one, and nearly 10 million acres of public lands, Michigan has it all.
Even popular science magazine has given it a stamp of approval, saying Michigan will be the best place to live in America by the year 2100.
but its appeal extends beyond natural charm.
good paying jobs and high quality education are a recurring theme in michigan. The 13th largest state economy by GDP is home to the University of Michigan, ranked the fourth best public university in America by the United States. world news and report.
This is a state not lacking in high-paying jobs in sectors like technology, professional and business services (trade, utilities, construction, and transportation), not to mention entertainment and hospitality.
Add one of the lowest costs of living in the Midwest to that equation, and it’s not hard to see why Michigan remains a popular destination for tourists and prospective residents alike.
here are the 15 best places to live in michigan for anyone looking to move to a watery winter wonderland.
1. ana gazebo
It is in Ann Arbor that the eminent University of Michigan is based. But the city of 116,000 in Washtenaw County is famous for more than that.
The 130-mile Huron River is also located here, and the area is also known for its abundant parks and natural areas, vibrant economy, low crime, progressive culture, regular festivals, and free outdoor music.
Add to that variety world-class schools, beautiful neighborhoods, and a lively downtown, and what you have is the best place you can possibly live in Michigan.
that’s right, ann arbor’s livability hasn’t gone unnoticed by the ratings because this, this is no. 1 best city to live in the united states, as ranked in 2017 by data company niche.
Some of the accolades the area has received recently include the most educated city in the country, one of the best cities for liberals in America, one of the best places to live for singles (also families), as well as the top travel destination in the midwest.
And to think that you could get a decent home for the median price of $240,700 almost sounds implausible. it just isn’t.
2. ok lets
okemos was another michigan city to appear on a separate 2017 list by niche, ranking #4 among the best places to live in america.
The small town of just 22,000 draws many to its shores in Ingham County for a world-class school system which is, for many, the main reason they choose to stay here.
The quality of life is excellent and housing is very affordable. median home value is $194,200; it’s possible to own a typical four-bedroom, two-bathroom mansion for just $230,000.
there are many safe parks in okemos where children can run freely for hours; a nature center with several hiking trails, and even a historic village complete with a chapel that hosts weddings, a general store, and a fishing pond.
okemos is also conveniently located near many small farms that produce all the fresh produce recommended by your nutritionist.
3. great east rapids
grand rapids is widely regarded as one of the best places to live in the wolverine state, and the 2017 u.s. News & World Report ranked it the 19th best place to live in America (down from 13th in 2016) and the 4th best place to retire.
Suffice it to say, most of this western Michigan city is a great place to call home. But focusing on one area in particular, the kent county suburb of east grand rapids received the niche thumbs up, ranking it the third best place to live in michigan.
The suburb of 11,000 residents is known for everything great: some of the best schools in the state, a stable, well-paying job market with a median household income of $112,000 (twice the national average), a low rate of crime and a high quality of life.
Homes are valued at an average of $270,100.
4. birmingham
if you’re a family man, this detroit suburb in oakland county is more ideal for raising kids than beverly hills, california.
seriously.
The five public schools in the city of 20,500 are known for producing some of the sharpest tools in Michigan’s shed, with test scores averaging 21% higher than the national.
More than three-quarters of Birmingham residents have a college education. and they earn pretty decently too, averaging $108,135 per household per year.
The unemployment rate is 48% lower than the national average and the city is safer than 83% of all American cities.
The only blemish on Birmingham’s perfect resume seems to be housing. Median home value is $410,700, which is at the higher end of the spectrum for Michigan.
Speaking of Beverly Hills…
5. beverly hills
michigan also has its own version of beverly hills.
located in oakland county, beverly hills of michigan is smaller, less posh than its california counterpart, but the best thing about this town of 10,500 is that it has a soul. it’s less plastic, with a welcoming community whose charm is hard to miss.
Living here is a safe option, and the chances of you being the victim of a property crime are a paltry 1 percent.
The town is dotted with numerous stately craftsmen’s estates, with many Cape Cod-style homes and Colonial-style homes.
And the good news is that, unlike its Californian namesake, a home won’t cost you a fortune, with the area’s median house rate a handsome $285,500.
The riverside park offers excellent picnic and fishing areas, and Beverly Park is sure to attract bikers and hikers.
And if the occasional urge to dine out strikes your fancy, there are plenty of fine restaurants along Southfield Road, along with numerous specialty shops and name-brand retailers.
Sure, with an annual household income of $106,161, on average, there’s plenty of money to spare, or rather, to spend.
6. girlfriend
novi is a suburb of about 58,000 residents in oakland county, a highly desirable county with some of the best places to live in the state.
It sits midway between Detroit and Ann Harbor, making it the perfect location for anyone seeking suburban living with urban convenience.
As with every other place on this list, novi ranks high for education, income levels, and safety.
Residents take home a total of $82,587 per household per year, and the chances of you being a victim of a violent crime is one in just over 1,500.
novi is one of the fastest growing cities in michigan, and continues to attract several top employers, including magna international and ryder.
And oh, it’s also quite diverse, boasting the highest Japanese population of any city in the Great Lakes State. there are more than 2,600.
7. trojan
troy is another city in oakland county that is located approximately 25 miles north of detroit.
What has most attracted the 82,600 residents who live here is the area’s low crime rate and affordable housing, averaging $230,400.
But Troy also has a vibrant economy, and average travel times are just under 25 minutes.
If these factors are high on your agenda, along with the best schools, beautiful homes, world-class restaurants, and plenty of attractions, then the thriving city of Troy is the place for you.
There’s also a historic village area in Troy that offers classes in log cabin cooking (talking about prep!), woodcarving, and blacksmithing.
8. farmton hills
farmington hills is one of the most stunning places in michigan, and that’s quite a statement in a state widely known for its pure, unspoiled beauty.
But the exclusive Detroit suburb of 80,971 residents isn’t just appearance without substance.
53% of residents have at least a college degree, with five excellent public schools whose average test scores exceed the national average.
You can rent a place for $1,026 and the median home value is $207,200. But with families earning more than most nationally ($71,609) they are well protected against the slightly higher cost of living, with large advantages to boot.
In addition to the above, there are multiple art galleries in the area, an old-fashioned movie theater, and a vibrant downtown area.
In addition, the overall crime rate is 66% lower than the national rate, and the area is safer than 80% of cities in the United States.
9. agriculture
Although Farmton is still spoken of, the similarly named Detroit suburb is smaller than Farmton Hills, with a population of 10,500. it has firmly taken hold of a spot among the niche’s best places to live in michigan, ranking at #22 (farmington hills is close behind at 26).
farmington is famous for its historic district, Victorian-style homes, and high-performing schools, factors that have contributed to cnnmoney including it multiple times in its survey of the best places to live.
cost of living in farmington reflects what is best about michigan: such a high quality of life relative to the cost of living.
The median home value in Farmington Hills is $158,300, $20,000 cheaper than the national average. same case with rental prices ($911 vs $928 national).
Which means the annual household income of $62,261 is higher here in farmington considering the national average is $53,889.
There is much to love about this beautiful suburb.
10. center
midland is a city of 42,000 people located in midland county.
if you’re looking for the perfect setting that guarantees the benefits of city living without the skyrocketing costs that come with it, midland is the place for you.
Most of the residents here ply their trade in the white-collar sector, and that alone should give you an idea of ​​the kind of place you can expect.
However, what goes against expectations is the low cost of living in midland. like staggeringly low.
Median home value is $140,900, which is roughly the cost of a decent three-bedroom, three-bathroom single-family home! rent itself averages $731, which is $200 off the national average. well, almost – $197 to be exact.
Some of the largest employers include Chemical Bank and Dow Corning, both of which are headquartered in this county seat.
Add a low crime rate to that mix and you’ll understand why Forbes named Midland, Michigan as the Best Small Town to Raise a Family.
11. calamazoo
Uniquely named, Kalamazoo is a city of 75,500 people and the county seat of Kalamazoo County.
The bustling city is located near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, in close proximity to the Grand Rapids and Lansing.
It’s a favorite among families and professionals looking for the best Michigan has to offer, yet affordable.
Homes here have a median price of $96,600. Nightlife is lively, in part due to the presence of Western Michigan University.
The food scene features everything from secluded cafes to the oldest microbrewery in the state, to a vibrant arts scene characterized by the Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts, home to more than 3,600 works.
You’ll also find an indoor amusement park and aviation museum at the Air Zoo, where you can get a good idea of ​​what a WWII bombing mission would be like.
12. north town
if you’re looking for a suburban detroit home with a small community feel, it doesn’t get much better than northville.
The small suburb is home to just 6,000 residents, though the larger township of Northville is home to more than 28,000 people.
The cost of living in Northville is a bit high (homes cost an average of $271,500), but this is typical of small communities with everything to offer.
Top schools, low crime, beautiful surroundings, lots of attractions, and high salaries to match.
northville is a beautiful, historic suburb ranked 20th best place to live in michigan by niche.
presents a wide range of options for homebuyers, ranging from stately Victorian homes to modern townhomes and condominiums, with residents taking home an average of $95,478.
the art house of northville will appeal to art and culture enthusiasts with its gallery exhibits and public classes. the city’s parks are well maintained and guarantee enough space for outdoor recreation fans who enjoy swimming, cycling or hiking; even fishing.
13. rochester
rochester is a city in oakland county that is home to 12,900 residents.
The community is made up of several distinct neighborhoods, and all 3.8 square meters. mile rochester was recently named one of the best places to live in small america. cities by time magazine.
Residents here enjoy a high income averaging $75,043 per household, and 57% of them have at least a college degree.
The area gets an a+ in education on niche.com, a- in jobs, a- in outdoor activities, and a- in nightlife.
Crime isn’t as low as one would ideally like it to be, but there’s a reason Rochester scores + in the “good for families” category.
Overall, it’s a beautiful and amazing place with lots of activities to keep its residents happy.
14. berkley
berkley is a suburb of detroit that is home to 15,000 people.
The city is known for its classic car parade that winds through town along a 12-mile highway, an area packed with amazing restaurants, shops, and nightlife options.
coldwell banker ranked berkley the best place to live for many reasons.
The city’s suburb offers homebuyers ample housing options including cottages, Cape Cod, and Craftsman-style properties. And the icing on the cake is that the cost of houses around here is as affordable as it gets, with a median value of $150,800.
The overall cost of living is also low in Berkley, and this must be music to the ears of residents who take home an average of $73,111 each year, as a dollar bill here is guaranteed to spread. much, much.
With several high-performing public schools and low crime rates, it’s no wonder so many families choose to settle in this beautiful corner of Michigan.
15. plymouth
plymouth, a detroit suburb of about 9,000 people located in wayne county, rounds out our list of the 15 best places to live in michigan.
plymouth has some highly rated public schools which are one of the main attractions of this area. it also has many outdoor attractions for a city of its size.
The picturesque hilltop golf course is a popular spot for golfers, while the riverside Plymouth Park offers pristine grounds for relaxing or strolling. the weekly farmers market is a great place to meet up with neighbors.
plymouth also hosts several events to keep everyone entertained, including a taste of plymouth and art in the park, not to mention the luxurious boutiques and delicious restaurants.
It’s a beautiful community to be a part of; a community where homes sell for $224,300 on average.