U.S.Top 50 Local Best Cities
When it comes to the best cities to live in, it is always great to see some of our local cities make the list Troy, Michigan (No.7),Sterling Heights, Michigan (No.41) and Westland, Michigan (No.50) according to 247 Wall Street.com. The selection is based on a variety of factors, including economics, crime and education. Being a Realtor in these areas that surround the mentioned cities that made the top 50 in the U.S. is very exciting and shows the hard work these communities and cities have done to make this spot in History.
What They Had To Say
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Troy, Michigan
> Median household income: $81,800
> Unemployment rate, 2013: 7.00%
> Median home value: $203,400
> Violent crime per 100,000 residents: 73.6
> Average commuter travel time: 23.5 minutesLike most of the best cities to live, Troy has very well educated residents. A majority of adults had completed at least a bachelor’s degree, versus a national rate of less than 30%. And while Michigan students performed below the U.S. average on standardized tests, Troy students scored far higher in math, language arts, and science than those outside the city.
Last month, Troy Mayor Dane Slater declared a state of emergency in response to flooding, making more resources available to disaster victims. The local community seems well equipped to control the damage and assist those in need. For example, Oakland County recently formed multi-agency resource centers to more efficiently handle the relief process.
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Sterling Heights, Michigan
> Median household income: $57,955
> Unemployment rate, 2013: 7.00%
> Median home value: $129,600
> Violent crime per 100,000 residents: 178.5
> Average commuter travel time: 25.6 minutesDespite falling by more than 10% between 2010 and 2012, the median home value in Sterling Heights remained 12% above the statewide median. Still, the city is one of the most affordable on this list, with a cost of living below the national average and a good affordability ratio — measured as the percentage of median income required to make payments on a median-priced home in the area.
When residents are not working, they can enjoy one of Macomb County’s 65 fitness centers or 20 golf courses. Additionally, people can enjoy the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn and Detroit’s professional sports teams. Low crime rates and robust employment growth in recent years are also likely to draw some people to Sterling Heights.
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Westland, Michigan
> Median household income: $43,551
> Unemployment rate, 2013: 5.70%
> Median home value: $83,400
> Violent crime per 100,000 residents: 405.8
> Average commuter travel time: 25.0 minutesEven as Detroit remains in bankruptcy, some of Wayne County’s other cities are not just solvent but thriving. Westland was able to successfully issue new bonds just months after Detroit initially filed for bankruptcy. Bolstered by a low cost of living, steady employment growth and an unemployment rate of just 5.7% last year, Westland’s economy is fairly strong. When not working, residents can enjoy one of the 2,500 restaurants, more than 250 bars, 61 libraries, or 23 golf courses located in Wayne County.
For those looking to move to Westland, few areas have more affordable homes. Last year, payments on a median-priced home in Wayne County cost just over 7% of the median household income. Westland homes were also relatively inexpensive compared to those across the state, with a median home value of just over $83,000. However, the real estate market did falter between 2011 and 2013, when home values dropped by 11%, more than in many other cities.
Before you buy your first-home, try on the neighborhood for size. Meet the neighbors. Take a stroll. Locate the nearest services that are walkable (if any) from grocery store to fire house to parks, and from schools to hospitals to houses of worship. See for yourself if the community has the conveniences nearby you want. Walking the neighborhood, on weekends as well as weekdays, is always a savvy home-finding technique worth the legwork. You’ll be surprised.