Sometimes, town names are mysterious, with histories that are difficult to trace -- not so with Harper Woods, Michigan. When the city was incorporated in 1951, it was a wooded area near Harper Avenue -- magnificent simplicity!
The first settlement in Harper Woods, Mich
Sometimes, town names are mysterious, with histories that are difficult to trace -- not so with Harper Woods, Michigan. When the city was incorporated in 1951, it was a wooded area near Harper Avenue -- magnificent simplicity!
The first settlement in Harper Woods, Mich., was established when a man named Casper Salter put down a claim along a rugged wagon trail called Pumpkin Hook Road, nearly 100 years before the town was incorporated. Salter and Pumpkin Hook must have already been taken, right? Although, Salter did get a park in town named after him as a consolation prize. Lying in the east suburbs of Detroit, Harper Woods is just north of Grosse Pointe, made famous in the John Cusack film "Grosse Pointe Blank." It's on the plain less than a mile away from the shoreline of Lake St. Clair and the Canadian border beyond. The nice mix of owner occupied properties and apartments for rent make Harper Woods a good place to search for a new home or even short term housing on a month-to-month basis.
Moving to Harper Woods
The vacancy rate for rentals here is just slightly over the national average. That makes it a place that's going to have units available to move into but not a glut by any means. Be proactive when it's time to start your search and get on it right away. Be prepared to fork over first, last and deposit and to pass a credit check. If you have pets, you will likely need to pony up a pet deposit at most rental apartments in Harper Woods. Make a list of places you are interested in and work through it methodically to find your perfect match!
Harper Woods Neighborhoods
What's important to you? Shopping? Parks? Restaurants? Review the list below to find out which neighborhood tickles your fancy.
Eastland: Centered around the Eastland Center shopping complex is an area with several schools, retail shopping and complexes where you will find everything from studio apartments for rent to units with two or three bedrooms and lots of living space.
Salter Park: The community near Salter Park is located along both sides of I-94, also called the Edsel Ford Freeway. Here you will also find a nice selection of multi-unit dwellings that could feature townhouses for rent.
Ghesquiere: On the eastern edge of town as it transitions over into Grosse Pointe Woods is this residential area with tree-lined streets and established homes. It's a good place to start your search for rental houses in Harper Woods.
Living in Harper Woods
The location of Harper Woods offers proximity to Lake St. Clair and, a bit further away, Lake Erie. Want to hit the water once the snow melts? Put on your happy face -- both lakes offer ample opportunities to enjoy watersports and beach activities when the weather allows. Nearby Detroit offers great sporting franchises like the NHL Detroit Red Wings and NFL Lions. There's also a nice variety of restaurants close with strong infusions from cultures around the world. The Detroit Institute of Arts has world-class exhibits and the Motown Historical Museum traces the history of the music that Detroit helped give the world. It's a place with four distinct seasons -- the winters may seem strong at first, but the spring is fresh, the summers warm, and the fall season always delights.