2019 Best Places to Raise a Family in MichiganAbout this List

Okemos

• Town in Michigan
• 79 reviews

Current Resident: Ideal family community. Strong public schools. The high school has full range of AP classes, kids score 4-5's. Excellent school music and art programs. Very safe. Kids make friendships across social classes. Religiously diverse metro area with Jewish synagogues, an Islamic mosque, a Hindu and Jain temple, churches with services in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish, African American churches, etc. Restaurants and grocery stores from many cultures. Many cultural opportunities at MSU. Parks, trails, lakes, farmer's market.
Read 79 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 22,989 Population

Lodi Township

• Suburb in Michigan
• 12 reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 6,354 Population

Bloomfield Charter Township

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 70 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Bloomfield Township and direct surrounding areas ever since I moved to the Detroit Metro area in 2002. I have no plans of moving anywhere else in the area. This is a great area if not the best. Great for commuting access. You will need a car, public transportation seems to have bypassed most of the area. Higher End stores, malls, restaurants, and people. Higher educated primarily with mostly professionals and retired professionals. The people are diverse yet not really economically diverse. Very safe, quiet, great for schools for children. Clean, surrounded by lakes, and golf courses.
Read 70 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 41,969 Population

Beverly Hills

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 17 reviews

Current Resident: I really enjoy living in Beverly Hills. There is a great school district. The police station is very central and the people are really friendly!
Read 17 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 10,424 Population

Northville

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 39 reviews

Current Resident: This is a very expensive neighborhood, but there is always something going on! I have never seen a town so busy during the summer and fall months. They are also VERY good about cleaning up after a bad snow storm and making sure the community is safe. It's a huge up and coming area for new and growing families.
Read 39 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 5,998 Population

East Grand Rapids

• Suburb of Grand Rapids, MI
• 20 reviews

Current Resident: AMAZING LITTLE TOWN!! I have lived here all my life and I couldn't think of anywhere else to live in Michigan. Everyone knows everyone else your super close with your neighbors and block. The East stereotypes aren't really that amazing though. People in other towns call us the stuck-up rich kids because the houses are big and expensive. You're super close to downtown EGR almost wherever you live. There are a few stores including Starbucks, Kilwins, A grocery store, Restaurants, and an Athleta. There are lots more but those are the most popular. We also have a local hot dog and fries shop called Crazy Charlie's which has amazing food and I highly recommend. (Can be busy because kids walk there after school). All the schools (middle and High) are less than a 5-minute walk to all these places. There is little to no crime. Overall I highly recommened raising your family in East.
Read 20 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 11,493 Population

Northville Township

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 31 reviews

Current Resident: Really beautiful place to live; a lot of family friendly activities! Weather is beautiful, summer is gorgeous and super enjoyable. I wish they would fix the main roads, but other than that its a picturesque, cookie cutter American Dream city.
Read 31 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 28,838 Population

Birmingham

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 61 reviews

Current Resident: Abundantly affluent. Upscale downtown vibe with plenty of fine and upscale casual dining and shopping. Great place to raise a family, for working adults and retirees. Attracts a Bria’s age demographic. Wide range in $/sq ft of residential property.
Read 61 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 20,836 Population

Franklin

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 3 reviews

Former Resident: In all of Michigan, this has got to be my favorite town to live. I've been everywhere in Michigan and Franklin just has the best of the best. Professional citizens, charming estate style homes, quaint downtown. Only the best of everything and people who really care! The Police and businesses are nothing but AMAZING! I really like that there aren’t a lot of crisp dollars flying around this town.
Read 3 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 3,218 Population

Grosse Pointe Farms

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 35 reviews

Current Resident: As a teenager, I think Grosse Pointe Farms is great! The only downside in my opinion is other people's political beliefs. I've grown up in a split household, so I've grown to make my own political choices. For others, that's not the case. The only thing I wish for is that everyone makes their own choices and doesn't just follow their parents beliefs because they think their parents are always right.
Read 35 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 9,238 Population

Bloomfield Hills

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 27 reviews

Current Resident: I have been a resident of BH for going on 10 years now. I have gone through the elementary and middle school systems through BHSD and am about to graduate high school. Overall, BH is a nice district with a variety of people of different creeds, ages, and identities. One issue is the weather-infrastructure blend. Roads are often filled with potholes which is only made worse during winter.
Read 27 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 3,981 Population

Grosse Pointe Park

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 24 reviews

Current Resident: Best city to raise a family! Excellent public schools, two waterfront parks (pools, splash pad, private movie theaters). Beautiful homes that residents take pride in keeping up. Public service is second to none!
Read 24 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 11,240 Population

Forest Hills

• Suburb of Grand Rapids, MI
• 76 reviews

Current Resident: I love that Forest HIlls is such a safe community. They have a great school system, and the and it is extremely family friendly. It is quite pricey, and the society as a whole is very affluent. There are lots of opportunities for kids to play sports and participate in clubs, and many school options. There are Spanish Immersion and Mandarin Immersion school programs available nearby. The location is ideal, since it is a few minute's drive from Grand Rapids, but not too close, and relatively close to Lake Michigan.
Read 76 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 27,599 Population

Huntington Woods

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 18 reviews

Current Resident: Very friendly community. Always lots to do whether it is swimming, biking, golfing. Many activities and opportunities for children and adults. Safe and quaint neighborhood. Not very diverse, in terms or race and religion.
Read 18 Reviews

• A+

• A

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• 6,347 Population

Ann Arbor

• City in Michigan
• 431 reviews

Niche User: A sweet and enjoyable small town! Ann Arbor offers everything that you need in your day to day life. The town is filled with restaurants, shops, music venues, fantastic schools, grocery stores and the best farmers market! I really enjoy the small town feel, but it is also nice that we have access to Detroit and if you are up to a big adventure Chicago is only 4 hours away! I am here as a graduate student and I am very glad I chose to come to Ann Arbor. Everyday you will see students, working professionals, and retirees walking around the town, eating at restaurants and truly enjoying life! Also, the ARBORETUM is to die for (trust me, you will want to go see this place). I can definitely see myself raising my kids here one day! DEFINITELY A MUST SEE TOWN!
Read 431 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 119,303 Population

Troy

• Town in Michigan
• 212 reviews

Current Resident: It is kind of a boring city, all we really have is restaurants, which are mostly expensive and high end, and Somerset mall which gets very boring after you visit almost every week. As long as your not trying to get somewhere during rush hour, traffic flows pretty smoothly!
Read 212 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 83,336 Population

Grosse Pointe

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 12 reviews

Former Resident: I grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. From a child standpoint, it was a wonderful place to grow up. The public school system was impeccable, and it was an incredibly safe neighborhood. It is a suburb for families, mostly middle class families. As I got older, however, I started to notice its' flaws. I lived with my single mother and 3 older sisters. We were not a wealthy family, to say the least, and therefore did not "fit in". I had found out my mother was completely segregated from social life with other members of the community because of her financial situation. Grosse Pointe is also not diverse at all, made up almost completely of white individuals like myself. There is no nightlife in Grosse Pointe, as many people my age joked that the city "shuts down" at 9 p.m. Overall, I think this city is a safe environment to grow up and attend school at, but it is not a place for the unwealthy or individuals without children.
Read 12 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 5,241 Population

Novi

• Town in Michigan
• 147 reviews

Current Resident: I am 22 and have spent my whole life living in Novi, Michigan. I attended Village Oaks Elementary, Novi Meadows, Novi Middle school, and Novi School. The educational system prepared me very well for my undergraduate studies at Grand Valley State University. One thing that I would change in the school system is their English department's difficulty. I felt that it was too easy and did not challenge me to be a better writer. I struggled in writing at Grand Valley, but I worked very hard to get better. When applying to Graduate schools, I found tremendous difficulty in writing my application essays. I wish I had a better foundation.
Read 147 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 58,835 Population

Haslett

• Town in Michigan
• 37 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Haslett, MI. I have lived here my whole life. I've made a lot of great friends, and have had so many awesome experiences throughout my life. I especially love my neighborhood because we are all very close and feel like family. So many of my teachers have made a positive impact in my life, and I am so appreciative of all they've done for me. This community is very friendly, and I have always felt very safe living here. I also love being so close to Michigan State University and all it has to offer as well. Their isn't a lot of night life in Haslett, but I don't really mind as my family, friends and various school and community events keep me plenty busy. There really is not much I would change about this community!
Read 37 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 19,800 Population

Oakland Charter Township

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 21 reviews

Current Resident: I have always felt extremely in my neighborhoods and out in town! Everyone is friendly and helpful, there is always plenty to do with friends, and I always feel comfortable going for a run or a bike ride out into town or on local trails like the Paint Creek. I also had a great experience with my education with Lake Orion schools. That's not to mention the natural beauty of local lakes, forests, and parks to enjoy nature and get outdoors during the summer.
Read 21 Reviews

• A+

• A+

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• 18,494 Population

Plymouth

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 30 reviews

Nearby Resident: Phenomenal town! I never went to their public schools, but my town was a short 10 minute commute away. The bar scene is always popping on the weekends and during the weekdays, you'll see a lot of families walking around. As long as the weather permits lol... Anyways, it's a pretty pricy place, but it's also in a really great environment so the real estate market is thriving there. Traffic depends on the time of the day, in the morning it can be rough, but it usually clears up by the afternoon. Very safe town as well!
Read 30 Reviews

• A+

• A+

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• 9,005 Population

Grosse Pointe Woods

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 35 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in the Pointes for 22 years. Split between the Park and the Woods. I have lived in the Woods for 11 years. I am not originally from the Pointes, but I wouldn't call anywhere else home! The schools are great, crime is low, private parks are awesome and you can ride your bike anywhere you need to go. Restaurants, doctor, dentist, market, we have it all!
Read 35 Reviews

• A+

• A+

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• 15,678 Population

Village of Grosse Pointe Shores

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• 3 reviews

Current Resident: I like the people within the city. Everyone is so nice and thoughtful and typically there is nothing to worry about. It is a safe neighborhood where everyone fits in.
Read 3 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A+

• 2,910 Population

Ottawa Hills

• Neighborhood in Grand Rapids, MI
• 1 review

Current Resident: It is a very nice neighborhood to live in and is right next to Martin Luther King Jr Park! MLK park has events all throughout summer and is a great spot to have fun and relax.
Read 1 Review

• A+

• B+

• A+

• 3,785 Population

Dexter

• Town in Michigan
• 13 reviews

Current Resident: Dexter is a small town. Yet, as its population continues to grow the small community feel has stayed and has continued to strive. In March of 2012 an EF3 tornado ripped through Dexter. While it would have been easy to give up, for people to move away, and leave the rubble behind, Dexter did the opposite. The community came together in the dark and picked up the pieces. Everyone was there to help each other in our time of need. Everyday, Dexter fails to surprise me by its incredible sense of community and family because it is something everyone has some to expect from their neighbors. We are the Dreadnaughts, and we will always come together for each other in times of need.
Read 13 Reviews

• A+

• A

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• 4,385 Population