Need a Room to Rent in Bloomfield Hills Area (Detroit: fit in, real estate)

[TarynB]

My 20 year old son is moving from CA and needs to be near Bloomfield Hills, as he won't have a car and will either ride a bike or use public transportation. I was looking on Craigslist at the prices of getting a room or a roommate in the area, and was really surprised at how high the prices are. I had assumed MI to be a lot more affordable than CA, especially in the current economy.

Any suggestions on a safe, affordable area with good public transportation that will get him to Bloomfield? Or would it make more sense for him to bring his car to MI and live further away? He has no experience in winter driving, but I suppose he could learn...

I had been thinking $200/month would be reasonable to rent a room in the area and avoid giving him the added expense of insuring and maintaining a car. I'm starting to think it would be a better investment to get a small house or condo and rent out the other rooms, if people are actually getting others to pay these prices.

[Dexterguy]

You really won't find anything in Bloomfield Hills or Bloomfield Township that is affordable.

Yes, the economy in Michigan is not very good right now but you are not going to get an apartment for $200/month anywhere but possibly in Detroit or Highland Park, two areas which I would greatly avoid.

Depending on how much your son can afford, it would probably be a better idea to look at sharing a condo or apartment. I would look into the areas in the suburbs along Woodward Ave, which includes Ferndale, Royal Oak, Hazel Park, Madison Heights, and Berkley.

I would suggest Birmingham as well but those apartments will have much higher price tags.

Regarding a car, it's basically a need around metro Detroit and all of Michigan, as we do not have a very good public transportation system. We have public buses, but I'm not exactly sure which areas they go into. I greatly doubt they public transit goes into Bloomfield Hills unless it's only on Woodward Ave.

[TarynB]

Thank you for replying. I was actually looking for a room to rent in a house for around $200 a month. It's pretty common where I live in CA, an area near several colleges and with apartment costs through the roof. I guess we will have to go farther out!

[Dexterguy]

Originally Posted by TarynB

Thank you for replying. I was actually looking for a room to rent in a house for around $200 a month. It's pretty common where I live in CA, an area near several colleges and with apartment costs through the roof. I guess we will have to go farther out!

If your son has to commute to Bloomfield Hills I would greatly suggest looking at the suburbs that I suggested, including Royal Oak, Ferndale, Hazel Park, etc. I know that they are geographically close to Detroit, but they are still very safe. By going "farther out" you really aren't going to find anything safer at an affordable price.

Plus, going "farther out" of Bloomfield Hills means venturing into Pontiac real estate, which many will tell you on this forum that it is a city to avoid.

As many here will probably agree with me, I would rather look into Ferndale or Hazel Park than Pontiac.

I suppose that you could also look into Clawson if you haven't already. I don't think it is a long commute to Bloomfield Hills from there.

Hope this helps

[edub]

Are we getting public transportation? I didn't get the memo.

He needs a car - no if ands or butts. Plus, BH is the most expensive place around. Waterford is very close though. Where does he need to get to?

[longernick23]

Agree with Dexterguy if you want your son to be in Bloomfield you need to extend your budget or try to look more far away. Good luck on your son and hope you find that’s fit in your budget just make sure to take note on tips on How to Rent Out a Room.

[Hsorato]

Bloomfield Hills is not only the wealthiest cities in Michigan, but it is consistently in the top 5 of the wealthiest cities in the Nation. You will not find a place for that price in this neighborhood, and yes he will absolutely need a car. I would try the cities mentioned above, but be careful even in waterford, it has some decent areas, but the areas closer to Pontiac can also be dangerous. I would try areas such as Walled Lake for Farmington/Farmington Hills.

[belleislerunner]

I'm curious where you live in CA that has apartments (even with roommates) for $200. That's half of what even the cheapest places in Midtown (downtown Detroit) would go for and you're in Bloomfield Hills.

But another suggestion - and one I did while I lived in DC after college with success - is post an ad on craigslist under "housing wanted". Here your son can post an ad about what he's looking for (and his budget) and people can write him back. Then your son can weed out the people who are weird/he doesn't like and everyone else is an interested potential apartment. It's more efficient because it saves you from having to search ads and look for places - as interested parties just email you directly.

[detroitlove]

Originally Posted by belleislerunner

I'm curious where you live in CA that has apartments (even with roommates) for $200. That's half of what even the cheapest places in Midtown (downtown Detroit) would go for and you're in Bloomfield Hills.

But another suggestion - and one I did while I lived in DC after college with success - is post an ad on craigslist under "housing wanted". Here your son can post an ad about what he's looking for (and his budget) and people can write him back. Then your son can weed out the people who are weird/he doesn't like and everyone else is an interested potential apartment. It's more efficient because it saves you from having to search ads and look for places - as interested parties just email you directly.

there are many studios in midtown Detroit starting at around $200-$300, but agreed definitely not Bloomfield

[Slappy san]

Wherever these 200-300 studios are, I'd want no part of them.