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15 Best Detroit Suburbs for Young Professionals

If you’re a young professional looking for a place to put down roots in the Detroit area, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all of your options. The Detroit metropolitan area has so many great suburbs in Oakland County, Macomb County, and Wayne County as well. What Are the Best Suburbs in Detroit? To help…

Best Detroit Suburbs

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If you’re a young professional looking for a place to put down roots in the Detroit area, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all of your options. The Detroit metropolitan area has so many great suburbs in Oakland County, Macomb County, and Wayne County as well.

What Are the Best Suburbs in Detroit?

  1. Farmington Hills
  2. Berkley
  3. Birmingham
  4. Royal Oak
  5. Ferndale 
  6. Troy
  7. Novi
  8. South Lyon
  9. Hazel Park
  10. Grosse Pointe Park
  11. Clawson
  12. Plymouth
  13. Huntington Woods
  14. Grosse Pointe Farms
  15. Saint Clair Shores

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best suburbs for young professionals in Metropolitan Detroit, along with average home prices from data pulled from the local MLS. Keep reading to learn more!

Best Detroit Suburbs in Southeast Michigan for Young Professionals

Farmington Hills 

Farmington Hills, Michigan

Located about 30 minutes from downtown Detroit, Farmington Hills is a great option for young professionals who want to live in a more laid-back suburban setting. The city offers plenty of green space, with over 1,000 acres of parks and nature areas to explore. They are ranked on the best sledding hills in Metro Detroit as well.

There’s also a farmers’ market, an art fair, and a number of other annual events that make Farmington Hills a great place to call home.

Farmington Hills Home Prices

The median home price in Farmington Hills is $315,000, and the median household income is $85,856.

Berkley 

Berkley, Michigan

Berkley is another great Detroit suburb for young professionals who are looking for a more laid-back lifestyle. The city is home to about 16,000 residents and offers plenty of things to do, including a farmers market, festivals, and concerts in the park. Berkley is also just a short drive from downtown Detroit, making it easy to get to all of the city’s great attractions.

A local favorite in Berkley is Clark’s Ice Cream, which is located on twelve mile in Berkley.

Berkley Home Prices

The median home price in Berkley is $309,500, and the median household income is $69,231.

Birmingham 

Birmingham, Michigan

If you’re looking for a more urban setting, Birmingham might be the perfect fit. This suburb is located just 20 minutes from downtown Detroit and is filled with high-end shops, restaurants, and bars. It’s also home to many young professionals who are attracted to its lively nightlife scene.

When celebrities come to Detroit, many stay at the Townsend Hotel, which is located in Birmingham, if you’re looking for a luxurious place to call home, this suburb might be the right fit for you.

Birmingham Home Prices

The median home price in Birmingham is $447,500, and the median household income is $104,517.

Royal Oak 

Royal Oak, Michigan

Located about 30 minutes from downtown Detroit, Royal Oak is another great option for young professionals who are looking for an urban setting. Royal Oak is home to many trendy restaurants and bars, as well as art galleries and performance venues.

The Arts, Beats, and Eats is an annual festival that takes place in Royal Oak, and it’s one of the largest and most popular events in the city, attracting national artists to music venues. It’s also convenient to both I-75 and I-696, making it easy to get around town.

Royal Oak Home Prices

Plus, with a median household income of $59,680 and a median home price of $279,900, it’s relatively affordable compared to some other suburbs on this list. 

Ferndale

Ferndale, Michigan

Located north of 8 mile in Oakland County, Ferndale is a suburb that’s just a few miles from downtown Detroit. It’s become a popular destination for young professionals who are attracted to its diverse population, lively nightlife scene, and affordable housing. Some of the best tattoo artists in Michigan are in Ferndale. There are many housing options that are within walking distance to downtown, as well as a number of parks and green spaces.

It has many walkable bars and breweries that offer social events from time to time. There is also a skate park, a dog park, and an annual Pride Festival.

Ferndale Home Prices

The median home price in Ferndale is $220,00, and the median household income is $48,942.

Troy

Troy, Michigan

Troy is another Oakland County suburb that’s located about 30 minutes from downtown Detroit. It’s a great option for young professionals who are looking for an affluent suburban setting. There is also Summerset Mall which has many high-end stores making it one of the best-shopping outlets in Michigan.

Troy has excellent public schools, plenty of shopping and dining options, and a variety of annual events like the Troy Art Fair. This city also has a great aquatic center making it one of the best indoor waterparks in Michigan in the Detroit suburbs.

Troy Home Prices

Plus, with a median household income of $88,061 and a median home price of $352,233, it’s one of the more affluent suburbs on this list.

Novi 

Troy, Michigan

Novi is a great suburb for young professionals who want to live in a family-friendly community. The city is home to about 55,000 residents and offers plenty of things to do, including shopping at Twelve Oaks Mall and exploring the Novi Civic Center. There are also a number of events that come to the Suburban Collection Showplace, such as the Novi Pet Expo.

Novi Home Prices

The median home price in Novi is $428,950, and the median household income is $98,313. 

South Lyon 

South Lyon, Michigan

Located about 35 minutes from downtown Detroit, South Lyon is a family-friendly suburb that’s filled with over 200 acres of parks and recreation options. There are also a number of golf courses, trails, and waterways. The suburb is also home to Blake’s Cider Mill, which was formerly Erwin’s Orchard and Cider Mill.

south lyon home prices

The median home price in South Lyon is $238,950, and the median household income is $81,641. 

Hazel Park 

Hazel Park, Michigan

Hazel Park is a suburb of Detroit that’s located just north of 8 Mile Road. It’s become a popular destination for young professionals who are attracted to its affordable housing and proximity to downtown Detroit.

Hazel Park can be considered one of the most affordable neighborhoods in the Detroit metro area. There are many new developments underway from the city because of the growth of young professionals.

hazel park home prices

The median home price in Hazel Park is $162,000, and the median household income is $84,950.

Grosse Pointe Park

Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan

Located just east of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Park is a beautiful suburb on the water. It’s known for its stately homes and upscale shopping district, as well as its public parks and nature areas. The Grosse Pointe War Memorial is also a popular destination, and it hosts a variety of events throughout the year.

Grosse Pointe Park Home Prices

The median home price in Grosse Pointe Park is $317,000, and the median household income is $104,137. 

Clawson

Clawson, Michigan

Clawson is a neighborhood in the Detroit suburbs located just north of the city. It’s a small community with a population of about 11,000 people. The suburb is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and excellent public schools. It also has a number of new restaurants along Rochester road.

Clawson home prices

The median home price in Clawson is $250,000, and the median household income is $60,096. 

Plymouth

Plymouth, Michigan

If you are looking for one of the best suburbs in the Detroit area that offers a small-town vibe, Plymouth is the perfect place for you. This Wayne County suburb is located about 35 minutes from downtown Detroit and is home to about 9,000 residents.

It’s a historic community with a charming downtown area that’s filled with boutique shops and restaurants. There are also a number of family-friendly events that take place throughout the year, such as the Plymouth Fall Festival and The Plymouth Ice Festival.

Plymouth Home Prices

The median home price in Plymouth is $362,000, and the median household income is $85,704. 

Huntington Woods

Huntington Woods, Michigan

One of the most affluent Metro Detroit suburbs is Huntington Woods. This Oakland County suburb is home to about 6,000 people and is known for its beautiful homes and excellent public schools. It’s also a short drive from downtown Detroit, making it a popular choice for young professionals and the best suburb.

One plus is all of the schools in this city are walkable since it’s only 1.5 square miles.

Huntington Woods Home Prices

The median home price in Huntington Woods is $399,900, and the median household income is $120,758. 

Grosse Pointe Farms

Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan

The Detroit region is home to a number of beautiful, historic suburbs, and Grosse Pointe Farms is one of them. This suburb is located just northeast of the city and is known for its lovely homes and tree-lined streets. It’s also home to a number of excellent public schools.

Grosse Pointe Farms Home Prices

The median home price in Grosse Pointe Farms is $434,900, and the median household income is $183,333. 

Saint Clair Shores

Saint Clair Shores, Michigan

Another Metro Detroit suburb great for families and young professionals is Saint Clair Shores. Saint Clair Shores is located in Macomb County and is home to about 59,000 people.

It’s located on the shores of Lake Saint Clair and has a marina with many docks available for residents. It also has two public beaches, a number of parks, and a variety of shops and restaurants.

Being located on Lake Saint Clair makes it a popular destination for boaters and fishermen. It’s also one of the best places to kayak in Michigan, as there are rentals located in St. Clair Shores, where you can explore the Detroit canals.

Saint Clair Shores Michigan Home Prices

The median home price in Saint Clair Shores is $191,000, and the median household income is $66,741. 

Related Questions

Does Downtown Detroit Have Any Safe Neighborhoods?

Yes, Downtown Detroit does have safe neighborhoods such as Corktown, Midtown, and Downtown. The Woodward Avenue corridor connects these three neighborhoods.

Does the Detroit Metropolitan Area Have Water Access?

Yes, the Detroit Metropolitan Area does have water access. The Detroit metropolitan area is located in southeastern Michigan and has a population of over 4 million people. The region is home to a number of large lakes, including Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Huron. In addition, the Detroit River flows through the city of Detroit and connects the Great Lakes to the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

Does the Detroit Metropolitan Area Have Water Access

As a result, the metropolitan area has direct access to a large supply of fresh water. In addition to being used for drinking and irrigation, this water is also used for transportation, recreation, and power generation. The presence of such a large body of water has helped to make the Detroit metropolitan area a major center of industry and commerce.

What is There to Do in Downtown Detroit?

Downtown Detroit has a variety of things to do, such as visiting Campus Martius Park, walking the Detroit riverfront, taking a tour of the Guardian Building, or exploring the Heidelberg Project.

Downtown Detroit is also a great place to visit for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The main shopping district is located along Woodward Avenue, where you’ll find a variety of stores, from high-end boutiques to chain retailers. Woodward Avenue is also home to a number of popular restaurants, including the iconic rows of outdoor cafés at Campus Martius Park.

If you’re looking for something to do after dark, Downtown Detroit’s Financial District is the place to be. Here you’ll find a number of bars and nightclubs, as well as live music venues and theaters. Whether you’re looking to shop, eat, or party, Downtown Detroit has something for everyone.

What Are the Best Detroit Suburbs for Boating?

Best Detroit Suburbs for Boating

One of the best suburbs for boating is Harrison Township, Michigan. Many Detroit suburbs are landlocked, but Harrison Township has over 17 miles of shoreline on Lake St. Clair. There are also many marinas in the area and many canals in Harrison Township with access to the Detroit River. Other suburbs with water access include Saint Clair Shores, Trenton, and Grosse Ile.

What is the Cheapest Way to Get from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Downtown Detroit?

The cheapest way to get from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to downtown Detroit is by taking the SMART bus. The SMART bus fare is $2.50, and the ride takes about 45 minutes. You can also take a taxi or an Uber, but the fare will be more expensive.

Who Are The Top Employers in Metro Detroit?

In Metro Detroit, the top employers are General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Quicken Loans, DTE Energy, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Additionally, the University of Michigan, Henry Ford Health System, and Beaumont Health are also major employers in the area.