Royal Oak, Michigan

I have mixed feelings toward Royal Oak, as many people do. I love going into the city to eat and enjoy the bars, especially the rooftop at Woody’s in the summer. It’s a great place to go shop at the boutiques or simply walk around. That being said, I could not live in this city, I find it hard to understand why people pay such a ridiculous amount for the lofts here when they could buy a gorgeous house for the same amount of money elsewhere. Not to mention, the parking issues and noise of the city could drive me insane.

Yes, the lofts are nice, but seriously, parking in this city is horrible. There is minimal street parking so wherever you go, you have to park in a lot and walk. This isn’t bad in the summer but it’s a mess in the winter. Not to mention, traffic is horrible. You know when everyone is on lunch hour in this city because it may take you a half hour to move 2 miles. Traffic is so bad, there are cones set on the streets on weekdays to act as crosswalks and you have to stop constantly to allow pedestrians to cross. Half the streets are one-way too. So, if you miss what you are looking for, you have to go way out of your way to come around again.

Royal Oak is a young, trendy city where everything just feels cluttered, and for the amount that you pay to live here, you would think it would boast a better crime rate. There are great schools in Royal Oak and there are certainly numerous families living here, but I would recommend the city for singles, professionals or even students. If you can find a roommate to afford the housing, the city is only minutes away from seven colleges and universities.

My family relocated to Royal Oak earlier this year, and we have enjoyed living in this quite, pleasant community since moving here. Our neighborhood is very quiet and shady. It is located near two major roadways that traverse the greater Detroit area, but traffic is extremely reasonable. There are numerous parks in the area, and many are within easy walking distance from most neighborhoods. Downtown Royal Oak is very pedestrian friendly and offers an enormous variety of restaurants, bars, and shopping options. Royal Oak is also somewhat of a center of attention from a car and motorcycle enthusiast standpoint. During the summer, downtown Royal Oak becomes a gathering point for motorcycle riders. In August, the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise travels right through the heart of Royal Oak. The Detroit Zoo is also only a few miles from downtown Royal Oak as well. Overall, it has been an excellent community for our young family.