2021 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

Okemos

• Suburb of Lansing, MI
• Rating 3.76 out of 5  82 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 82 Reviews

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• 24,141 Population

Northville

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.11 out of 5  47 reviews

Current Resident: This neighborhood is a very rich and white area. Everyone here is very nice, but not super accepting to outside minorities and ethnic groups. There is a lot of money and competition in this are, but with the money comes along an amazing downtown, great restaurants near, and the amazing Hines park right down the road for all your outdoor needs.
Read 47 Reviews

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• 6,007 Population

Bloomfield Charter Township

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 3.99 out of 5  71 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 71 Reviews

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• 42,054 Population

Huntington Woods

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.45 out of 5  20 reviews

Former Resident: I lived in Huntington Woods for two years, ended up moving back downtown for work etc. in Detroit. It’s a great place to live, extremely well-kept, very good services, very nice people and a really pleasant lifestyle. The one thing on the description of this I most certainly can’t agree with is that it votes/ leans conservative. At least in my general area, that was most definitely not the case , it was about as liberal as could be , I believe there was one person in our whole block who was a conservative voter. Not that it really matters, but I would have to strongly disagree on that regard, at least where I lived near the zoo.
Read 20 Reviews

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• 6,322 Population

Lodi Township

• Town in Michigan
• Rating 3.67 out of 5  12 reviews

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• 6,501 Population

Beverly Hills

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 3.89 out of 5  19 reviews

Current Resident: Great schools, public and private: Detroit Country Day, Birmingham Groves, and nearby Brother Rice, Birmingham Seaholm, and Cranbrook. Professional and effective police force. and lots and lots of great neighbors.
Read 19 Reviews

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• 10,387 Population

East Grand Rapids

• Suburb of Grand Rapids, MI
• Rating 4.07 out of 5  29 reviews

Current Resident: East Grand Rapids is an amazing small community full of caring and kind families and people. It has an awesome school district with great teachers just waiting to teach your kiddos to the best of their ability. As an EGR alumni I can say I could not have asked for a better place to live and grow. I hope if you consider living here be prepared to have an amazing little community with a quaint little area called Gaslight where you can hang and have a great time!
Read 29 Reviews

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• 11,759 Population

Northville Township

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.23 out of 5  39 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 39 Reviews

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• 29,069 Population

Troy

• Town in Michigan
• Rating 4.14 out of 5  244 reviews

Current Resident: I really liked how in Troy there are many options in pursuing different high school educations. There is a whole school based on the IB Program. Then the two main high schools are large and inviting and the Niles High School helos students ready for their future jobs get their quicker. There are also opportunities for so much diversity. As in my own neighborhood, we are filled with different people and languages, and ethnicities!
Read 244 Reviews

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• 83,989 Population

Franklin

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  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

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• 3,310 Population

Forest Hills

• Suburb of Grand Rapids, MI
• Rating 3.92 out of 5  77 reviews

Works Here: Forest Hills is an affluent, family friendly area. The schools are rated very highly and there are many extracurricular opportunities for students to participate in. The biggest drawback to living in Forest Hills is the lack of diversity in both race and income. The high costs of housing and taxes make it difficult for most to live in the area. I often worry that the children who grow up in Forest Hills will have an unrealistic view of life after living in such a bubble. The parents in the community are often known as "helicopter parents" because of how much they hover over their children. These parents have a substantial pull in all areas of the community.
Read 77 Reviews

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• 27,830 Population

Grosse Pointe Farms

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.29 out of 5  42 reviews

Current Resident: It’s a very safe community with great education and a great location. Lots of diverse restaurants, and gorgeous houses. Grosse Pointe has many different groups of people and is very welcoming to anyone. It’s very diverse in many ways. There are many people of many different political beliefs, races, religions, and social classes. I always feel safe walking the streets at night and feel that any stranger I meet will be kind, helpful, and welcoming. There is such a small town feel, having no fast food or strip malls, but both of those things are close by. I have loved growing up here and most definitely want to come back to raise by children here.
Read 42 Reviews

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• 9,168 Population

Novi

• Town in Michigan
• Rating 4.13 out of 5  174 reviews

Current Resident: I like that the neighborhoods in Novi are very clean and like mini communities. In my own neighborhood, my friends and I enjoy biking around the small lake. There are lovely trails and scenic spots which are the perfect place to relax or do homework!
I really wish that Novi had more of a rustic feel and a "town center" to walk in. That probably won't change, but maybe they could create a space for teenagers to hang out in.
Read 174 Reviews

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• 60,014 Population

Grosse Pointe Park

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.14 out of 5  28 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful, old homes. Variety of home price points ranging from bargains to OMG. Good value for taxes paid. Great school district. The waterfront parks here are amazing. People are friendly. Don't plan on living an anonymous like a big city. That said, the Pointes are insular. People here already have the friends they grew up with, so it takes time to fit in. Parents have an easier time meeting people. Young singles will find this bedroom community a drag. Restaurants offer good comfort food. There's not much emphasis on new cuisines. Politically and socially, the Park leans far more left than the other Pointes, but there's still work to be done to make this community fully inclusive.
Read 28 Reviews

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• 11,153 Population

Birmingham

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.02 out of 5  66 reviews

Current Resident: Birmingham is a great city for those who can afford it. Family life is a norm, great downtown area, beautiful seasons, good school systems, really enjoyable place to live for financially comfortable people.
Read 66 Reviews

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• 21,201 Population

Ann Arbor

• City in Michigan
• Rating 4.27 out of 5  522 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 522 Reviews

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• 120,735 Population

Grosse Pointe

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 3.88 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: Lived all over metro Detroit and several other states and Grosse Pointe is our absolute favorite. Strong sense of community, great schools, lakefront parks, safe quiet neighborhoods, beautiful old homes. Don’t want to live anywhere other than the Pointes.
Read 16 Reviews

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• 5,206 Population

Haslett

• Suburb of Lansing, MI
• Rating 4 out of 5  45 reviews

Former Resident: I love Haslett! It is a very small town with really cold winters and very mild summers. No one is on the roads after 9pm! Its a very quiet town. There isn't too much to do besides outdoor activites. After snow storms, the roads get cleared pretty quickly.
Read 45 Reviews

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• 19,565 Population

Larkin Charter Township

• Suburb in Michigan
• Rating 3.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: Living in Midland has been amazing. I went to elementary through high school in Midland and the school system there is unbeatable, the level of learning is very high and it prepared me for college. Also living in Midland you have so much to do, our biggest tourist attraction is the fridge which is on the Tittabawase river. The bridge connects the skate park and playground with downtown midland which is full of local businesses including my brothers clothing shop. If I had to do it over again I would go back to Midland every time. Its a great city to raise a family.
Read 3 Reviews

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• 5,368 Population

Oakland Charter Township

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.05 out of 5  22 reviews

Current Resident: Perfect balance between nature and proximity to shops entertainment and restaurants. Very family friendly and save!
Read 22 Reviews

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• 19,115 Population

Grosse Pointe Woods

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.02 out of 5  45 reviews

Current Resident: Grosse Pointe Woods is a lovely place to be in. You can take a walk down any street and marvel at the beauty of the houses and their surroundings. In addition, the sky over the lake is absolutely stunning in the mornings and evenings. Not only is Grosse Pointe a nice place to live because of its beauty, but also because the city takes very good care of its residents' safety. The police and safety department are always looking out for us and keeping our streets safe.

GPW is full of little shops, restaurants, and cafes for all your desires just up on Mack.
Read 45 Reviews

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• 15,498 Population

Berkley

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.26 out of 5  43 reviews

Current Resident: Berkley, MI is a growing city in the Metro Detroit area of which I am proud to live in! Downtown Berkley is becoming a hot spot for those looking to support small businesses, with restaurants, storefronts, and much more! The location is perfect to settle down and start a family or even begin a career, as it surrounds many opportunities. Though I would like to see a grocery store pop up in this city, I believe that Berkley is a bang for your buck!
Read 43 Reviews

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• 15,372 Population

Pittsfield Charter Township

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 3.78 out of 5  64 reviews

Current Resident: I have been living in Pittsfield Township for 3 years. Also lived in Ann Arbor for 2 years. Both are great places to live. Pittsfield is a 5 min drive to south from Ann Arbor and 5 min drive (or less) from Saline. Most of Pittsfield Township residents have Ann Arbor mailing addresses. Their school districts are either Ann Arbor or Saline, and both are top-rated. I personally prefer living in Pittsfield over AA because property tax was MUCH LESS while I could still enjoy the proximity to Ann Arbor. And I think Pittsfield is more family friendly, quieter and more spacious compared with Ann Arbor. Of course there were very nice neighborhoods in AA, but there are some shady spots as well, especially around where college kids live. Just look up criminal reports. Pittsfield Township cares a lot about its residents. Parks and trails are abundant and very well maintained. I feel very close to nature. Overall, I am extremely happy with where I live.
Read 64 Reviews

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• 38,567 Population

Rochester

• Suburb of Detroit, MI
• Rating 4.36 out of 5  56 reviews

Current Resident: Rochester is a great place to live! I love the downtown and community they have created. There are many ways to get the most out of living in Rochester, and access to their parks and community events have been very enjoyable.
Read 56 Reviews

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• 13,162 Population

Dexter

• Town in Michigan
• Rating 4.05 out of 5  21 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 21 Reviews

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• 4,644 Population