If Rochester Hills is your destination, take a gander down here for some additional information. Once known as Avon Township, it has historic ties to the next-door city of Rochester, Michigan, which is why the name Rochester Hills was chosen when the city was created in 1984. Yes, you read that right, 1984. Rochester Hills is a very young, very new, and very popular city on the northern edge of Metro-Detroit. Despite its proximity to the largest city in Michigan, much of Rochester Hills has a private, rural-suburban feel to it. Little wonder why so many people like you, choose to settle there.
For some, it’s important to know that their new hometown is filled with like-minded individuals
If Rochester Hills is your destination, take a gander down here for some additional information. Once known as Avon Township, it has historic ties to the next-door city of Rochester, Michigan, which is why the name Rochester Hills was chosen when the city was created in 1984. Yes, you read that right, 1984. Rochester Hills is a very young, very new, and very popular city on the northern edge of Metro-Detroit. Despite its proximity to the largest city in Michigan, much of Rochester Hills has a private, rural-suburban feel to it. Little wonder why so many people like you, choose to settle there.
Know Your Neighbors
For some, it’s important to know that their new hometown is filled with like-minded individuals. The citizens of Rochester Hills are primarily middle-aged, wealthier, well educated, and with families.
Apart from mall shopping and all-ages recreation, Rochester Hills takes advantage of its natural settings with over 1,000 acres of parkland. With multiple colleges in the area, Rochester Hills houses a decently sized population of college students. It’s a pretty tech-savvy place, too, being one of Michigan’s eleven designated “Smart Zones” for technological innovation in business. Make sure you study up on the latest tech news, something tells us conversation will lead in that direction.
Housing in the Hills
Rochester Hills residents tend to own their houses, but about 21% of the population rents. On the whole, housing in Rochester Hills is larger and more spacious, but also more expensive compared to other Michigan cities. Don’t let that scare you, though, because Michigan is generally a pretty inexpensive place to live, so it’s all relative.
What to Expect: Previously a small rural community, the population of Rochester Hills has been on the rise. As a result, much of the housing is new construction and you can expect to see a lot of spacious cookie-cutter houses in new developments and subdivisions. Expensive, upscale homes are pretty common in the area, but it also has its share of normal, average places, many with modern updates.
Further toward the rural outskirts of the community, you may be more likely to find older houses on larger plots of land. Apartment buildings aren’t as common as rental homes, however there are quite a few larger low-level complexes scattered through some areas. By and large, apartments will run between $500 and $1000, with smaller houses about $800 - $1000, and larger houses running into the mid-$1000s. Some larger, swankier homes can even push into the $2000s or higher.
Things to Consider: Due to the updated quality of most rentals in Rochester Hills, appliances such as a washer and dryer are almost always included, or hookups are at least present for you to bring your own. Some apartments or condo complexes may occasionally have utilities included, but isn’t common, especially in houses. Pets are often welcome with a fee or some restrictions, and it isn’t unusual to require an application with a small fee for credit and background checks prior to renting.
Where to Look: Rochester Hills isn’t particularly divided as far as residences go, though some areas are a little different than others. Most apartment buildings and many condos are located along the main drag, Rochester Road. The area furthest north of the city has some of the largest and most expensive housing due to its wooded surroundings and low population density, allowing for more room and privacy.
In Transit
Rochester Hills is primarily a city of drivers, which makes sense, as it’s the easiest way to get around Metro-Detroit. Traffic can occasionally be a pain, however. The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) operates bus routes connecting nearby cities to each other and to the city of Detroit. These bus lines don’t run through Rochester Hills, specifically, but can be accessed in nearby cities for those with their hearts set on braving public transportation. For the more bipedally inclined, Rochester Hills boasts a lengthy system of hiking and biking paths throughout the city.
No matter where you’re looking to settle or how you plan to get around, Rochester Hills is a pretty universally liked Michigan city. Part of the Metro-Detroit patchwork quilt, it’s a slightly more rural square of old woods, new subdivisions stitched together with family life and technology. If you’re still not sure if it’s right for you, why not check it out for yourself? We’re sure you’ll find something to suit your apartment mood. Good luck and happy hunting!
