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Monday, 5 January 2026

Best hot chocolate spots in metro Detroit

By  January 05, 2026   No comments

On a winter day in Michigan, those at-home Swiss Miss packets just won’t do when you’re craving a cup of hot chocolate to awaken your senses.

Whether you prefer your cocoa simple, boozy or over-the-top, we’ve found the best places for hot chocolate that you can only get in metro Detroit.

Updated Dec. 14, 2025: This article was reviewed and updated by the Metro Parent editorial team to reflect new event dates, refreshed links and the latest information available for families.

Macomb County

Check out these unique hot chocolate spots for families in Macomb County.

Related: Best Hot Chocolate Spots Near Sterling Heights to Keep You Warm and Cozy

Caffé Far Bella

  • Address: 23415 Greater Mack Ave., St. Clair Shores

Caffe Far Bella is a local favorite that offers regular and flavored cocoa, hot or frozen. They also have cappuccinos, hot tea, smoothies, lattes and specialty drinks to choose from.

Choco Mania Café

  • Address:  44621 Mound Road, Sterling Heights

Choco Mania Café is a European café with Turkish-inspired coffees, specialty lattes and hot chocolate to warm you up. They also have French crepes, acai bowls, rolled ice cream, sundae cups, baklava and more. 

Eos Cafe and Coffee House

  • Address: 30625 Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores

This local coffee shop and café features many different hot and cold beverages for you to choose from. Pair your beverage with one of their many yummy baked goods or a breakfast burrito or sandwich. 

Lula’s Café

  • Address: 45271 Market St., Shelby Township

This café features beverages such as espressos, lattes, cold brews, hot cocoa, chai and more. If you’re in the mood for a chocolate smoothie instead, try their Cocoa Express (espresso shot, banana, cocoa, peanut butter, almond milk and honey) or their Chocolava (strawberries, banana, cocoa, almond butter, maple, protein and almond milk).

Oakland County

There are plenty of places to get hot chocolate in Oakland County.

Related: Best Hot Chocolate Spots Near Rochester Hills to Keep You Warm and Cozy

Birmingham Roast

  • Address: 525 E. Brown St., Birmingham

This café’s hot chocolate is made with dark chocolate and crème brulee infused milk. If you’re looking to add a little jolt to your hot cocoa, try it with espresso as a Kuppa Joy, Almond Joy, Mexican Mocha or a White Cinnamon (made with white chocolate instead of dark chocolate). You can also have the Kuppa Joy and Almond Joy blended as a frappe if you’re in the mood for something cold to drink.

Drifter Coffee

  • Address: 770 Woodward Heights, Ferndale

‘Tis the season at Drifter Coffee, with a special winter menu loaded with festive flavors. You’ll find hot cocoa on their regular beverage menu, alongside classic cappuccinos, cortados, espressos, lattes and hot teas. For the littles, they have Choco Milk, ‘Nilla Steamer, Sweet Cherry Tea and Lil’ Cocoa.

Farmhouse Coffee and Ice Cream

  • Address: 29936 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills

You don’t have to be in love with coffee to love the menu at Farmhouse. When it comes to hot chocolate, the flavorings are the key. With five to choose from — regular, dark chocolate, caramel, hazelnut and s’mores — there’s no wrong choice. Right now, they have special festive drinks available as well, including an eggnog latte and gingerbread latte. 

Java Hutt

This coffee shop prides themselves on using only organic, fair trade coffee beans and local teas for all of their beverages. Their hot cocoa is a menu staple. Order it along with one of their freshly-made paninis or breakfast sandwiches.

KAHVE HOUSE 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!) 

  • Address: 22 S. Main St., Clawson

This coffee shop features both Turkish and Mexican beverages and baked goods, with unique twists on the classic hot chocolate. Their Mexican hot chocolate is a popular option, made with dark chocolate, sugar and cinnamon. If you’re in the mood for something cold and sweet, try it frozen.

Mia’s Bakery and Coffee Shop

This European-inspired bakery and coffee shop has a chocolate-drizzled cocoa you won’t want to miss. Get it alongside one of Mia’s breakfast wraps or custard-stuffed french toast.

TOAST BIRMINGHAM 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!) 

This retro-chic restaurant is a well-known breakfast and brunch spot. Try their Campfire Hot Chocolate, which is made with fire-kissed marshmallows, chocolate chips and grahams. You can also add a shot of espresso for an extra energy boost.

Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County has some really cool spots that families can check out for some hot chocolate.

Related: Best Hot Chocolate Spots Near Ann Arbor to Keep You Warm and Cozy

Avalon Cafe and Kitchen 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!) 

  • Addresses: 224 S Main St., Ann Arbor

Since 1997, this café and bakery has made it its mission “to create an oasis of healing and compassion in a world that is sorely in need.” For their hot chocolate, they steam local (Calder or Guernsey dairy) chocolate milk and then top it with whipped cream. Customers often add their house peppermint or brown sugar sea salt syrups to their hot cocoas as well. They also have a vegan hot chocolate with your choice of plant-based milk and Ghirardelli chocolate mix. 

Le Bon Macaron  👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!) 

Although this French bakery is known for their macarons, it also has an amazing Chocolat Chaud. You can have it as a sipping chocolate or with steamed milk to cut the richness. Pair your hot chocolate with a scone or macaron. Kids can enjoy a hot chocolate or a kiddie cappuccino – made with steamed milk and whipped cream.

RoosRoast 

  • Address: 1155 Rosewood St., Suite B, Ann Arbor; 117 Liberty St., Ann Arbor

The hot chocolate comes in two great sizes — perfect for littles — or can be ordered cold brewed. Most cold brew options can also be taken to-go in a half gallon to enjoy all weekend. 

The Songbird Cafe

  • Address: 2707 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor

Best known for serving seasonal delights, the Songbird Cafe offers hot chocolate among other specialty drinks such as lavender lattes, rosemary sea salt lattes and turmeric ginger honey lattes.

Zou Zou’s Cafe and Coffee Bar

The hot chocolate here is made with steamed chocolate milk, chocolate sauce and house-made whipped cream. If you want something similar to this, but with espresso, try their mocha or white mocha options. This spot is also well-known for their crepes with options such as Nutella with banana, strawberries and whipped cream, ham and swiss and more.

Wayne County

If you’re looking for some hot chocolate spots in Wayne County, we’ve got you covered.

Related: Best Hot Chocolate Spots Near Dearborn to Keep You Warm and Cozy

Avalon Cafe and Bakery 👑 (Our Readers’ Favorite!) 

  • Addresses: 1049 Woodward Ave., Detroit and 441 W. Canfield, Detroit

Since 1997, this café and bakery has made it its mission “to create an oasis of healing and compassion in a world that is sorely in need.” They steam local (Calder or Guernsey dairy) chocolate milk and then top it with whipped cream. Customers often add their house peppermint or brown sugar sea salt syrups to their hot cocoas. They also have a vegan hot chocolate with your choice of plant-based milk and Ghirardelli chocolate mix.

Chocolate Bar Café

  • Address: 20737 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods

This old-fashioned soda fountain shop may be known for its ice cream, but it doesn’t back down in the winter. Their coffee bar menu features daily brews, specialty lattes and hot chocolate. For hot chocolate options, they have classic, hazelnut, peppermint and white chocolate caramel.

For the Love of Sugar

  • Address: 100 Erskine St., Detroit

This bakery may be known for its custom cakes and freshly baked macrons, but its coffee and hot chocolate are great, too. They offer a regular hot chocolate and a hot white chocolate.

JoJo’s Shake Bar

Although JoJo’s Shake Bar is known for their over-the-top Biggie Shakes, they have some great hot chocolate options to try. Get their classic option, topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, or go crazy and try out the Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate, topped with an oozing toasted marshmallow, chocolate marshmallow, and chocolate smores.

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What does ‘crashing out’ mean? A parent’s guide to the phrase kids are using

By  January 05, 2026   No comments

Parents across the country are hearing a new phrase pop up in everyday conversations with their kids “crashing out.”

The phrase has popped up everywhere in 2025, from school hallways to group chats. Parents often hear it used casually and are left wondering whether it’s just another silly trend or something they should pay closer attention to.

So what does “crashing out” actually mean?

When kids and teens say someone is “crashing out,” they’re usually talking about a big emotional reaction. It can mean getting very frustrated, overwhelmed or upset and reacting strongly in the moment.

Sometimes it’s serious, but often it’s not. Kids might say someone was “crashing out” over a video game loss, a pop quiz or a small disagreement with friends. In adult terms, it’s often closer to saying someone overreacted or had a meltdown.

That meaning is different from how adults may remember the phrase. In the past, “crash out” often meant falling asleep suddenly. Among kids today, it’s almost always about emotions, not exhaustion.

How the phrase made its way into kids’ conversations

Language experts say “crash out” has existed for years, especially in music and online culture. Over time, younger users began using it in a new way, focusing on emotional overload rather than physical tiredness.

By early 2025, the phrase gained traction on TikTok and other social platforms. Teens used it in videos reacting to school stress, social drama and everyday frustrations. As those clips spread, the language quickly moved offline and into everyday speech.

Why kids keep using it

Psychologists who study youth behavior say slang sticks when it captures a feeling kids recognize. “Crashing out” gives them an easy way to describe moments when emotions feel too big or hard to manage.

The phrase also works as social glue. Using the same slang helps kids feel connected to friends and part of a shared culture, especially when adults don’t immediately get the reference.

In many cases, kids aren’t trying to signal a problem. They’re using language that feels expressive, dramatic and relatable.



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Friday, 2 January 2026

Looking for a good brunch spot for the new year? These are the highest-rated brunch restaurants in Detroit

By  January 02, 2026   No comments

Many brunch locations offer the same type of spread—pastries and marmalade, coffee and tea (or beer and whiskey), and main courses that include fish or other meats. However, a host of other trends like internationally inspired cuisines, pizza and mimosa flights have come along to add a little variety.

Whether your preference is for a classic brunch or something with a little more spice, Stacker compiled a ranking of the highest-rated brunch restaurants in Detroit using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, a restaurant with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Most chain restaurants were excluded from the ranking. Data is as of Sept. 16, 2025.

Read on to find out if your favorite local spot made our list!

No. 29. Milano Bakery

– Rating: 4.4/5 (48 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 28. Kuzzo’s Chicken & Waffles

 

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– Rating: 4.1/5 (87 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 27. Avalon Café and Bakery

– Rating: 4.1/5 (64 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 26. La Dolce Vita

– Rating: 4.1/5 (234 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 25. Sindbads Restaurant and Marina

– Rating: 3.8/5 (192 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 24. FOLK Detroit

– Rating: 4.4/5 (31 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 23. McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar

– Rating: 4.3/5 (67 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 22. Rose’s Fine Foods

– Rating: 4.3/5 (80 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 21. Cadillac Square Diner

– Rating: 4.6/5 (47 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor 

No. 20. Woodbridge Pub

 

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– Rating: 4.3/5 (60 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 19. Z’s Villa

– Rating: 4.3/5 (73 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 18. Clique Restaurant

– Rating: 4.5/5 (62 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 17. Louie’s Ham and Corned Beef Eastern Market

– Rating: 4.5/5 (62 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 16. The Brooklyn Street Local

– Rating: 4.4/5 (90 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 15. Vivio’s

– Rating: 4.2/5 (129 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 14. Avalon International Breads

– Rating: 4.7/5 (80 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 13. Honest John’s Bar & Grill – Selden St.

– Rating: 4.3/5 (110 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 12. Fishbones

– Rating: 3.9/5 (836 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 11. Grand Trunk Pub

– Rating: 4.1/5 (307 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 10. Taqueria Mi Pueblo

– Rating: 4.4/5 (218 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 9. HopCat

– Rating: 4.2/5 (329 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 8. Pegasus Taverna

– Rating: 3.9/5 (688 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 7. Cliff Bells

– Rating: 4.3/5 (294 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 6. Mudgie’s

– Rating: 4.4/5 (276 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor 

No. 5. The Whitney

– Rating: 4/5 (546 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 4. Ottava Via

– Rating: 4.4/5 (347 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 3. Hudson Cafe

– Rating: 4.3/5 (548 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 2. Selden Standard

– Rating: 4.6/5 (703 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor

No. 1. Dime Store

– Rating: 4.6/5 (566 reviews)
 – Read more on Tripadvisor



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New indoor play places in Metro Detroit where your kids will have endless fun

By  January 02, 2026   No comments

Detroit’s indoor play scene has expanded with a variety of exciting new venues designed to keep kids engaged and active all year long.

From energizing indoor playgrounds to community-focused play cafes, these venues are perfect for any rainy day or weekend outing. Here are five new indoor play places to check out in Detroit this year, offering a variety of activities that will keep the whole family entertained.

New indoor play places in metro Detroit

Move & Groove

  • Address: 51305 7 Mile Road, Northville

Move & Groove in Northville is an indoor play space designed for kids ages 0-8 to build strength, confidence, and coordination through active play. With open play sessions, birthday parties and group meetups, it offers a safe, engaging environment where families can connect, kids can explore and movement meets fun in a vibrant community setting.

Hide and Seek

  • Address: 1954 S. Industrial Highway, Ann Arbor

Hide and Seek in Ann Arbor is a play boutique and cafe created by two moms who saw a need for a supportive, family-friendly space. With a safe, clean and inclusive play area, classes, events and a cozy cafe, it’s a welcoming hub where kids explore and caregivers connect and recharge.

Go Grow Playroom

  • Address: 43367 Joy Road, Canton

Go Grow, founded by parents for parents, is a play space designed for kids ages 0-6 and a sanctuary for caregivers. With a glass-walled co-working space, sound-dampening walls, a sensory dark room and a gated baby area, it’s a place where kids play freely while parents truly relax.

Tumble Town Playground

  • Address: 39600 W. 14 Mile Road, Commerce Township

TumbleTown Playground is a clean, fun, and family-friendly indoor play space. With interactive play structures, arcade games, a cozy cafe and party packages, it’s a great place for kids to explore and parents to unwind. Stop by for open play or celebrate a special occasion.

We Rock the Spectrum

  • Address: 22064 Novi Road, Novi

We Rock the Spectrum – Novi is an inclusive indoor gym for kids of all abilities, ages 0-12. With specialized sensory equipment, open play, classes and private events, it’s a safe, fun space designed to support physical, social and emotional development while fostering community and inclusion for all families.

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Thursday, 1 January 2026

What does MSD’s mental health funding appeal mean for students?

By  January 01, 2026   No comments

Sign up for Chalkbeat Detroit’s free newsletter to keep up with the city’s public school system and Michigan education policy.

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters.

Dozens of Michigan school districts and officials are appealing a judge’s ruling that upholds state budget language putting conditions on the distribution of funding for school safety and mental health.

The lawsuit stemmed from a new rule in the budget stating that in order to receive that funding from the state, districts must agree to waive privilege, which means they must disclose information that would otherwise be legally protected if there is a mass casualty event. Districts must also agree to a comprehensive investigation of such an event.

Judge Sima Patel granted the state’s motion for a summary disposition, essentially ending the case in the Michigan Court of Claims. But the plaintiffs are appealing Patel’s ruling to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Patel, who listened to oral arguments during a hearing earlier this month, issued her ruling Dec. 17 rejecting the plaintiffs’ arguments. Here is what she had to say about two of the key claims in the school districts’ lawsuit.

Districts claimed budget language violates Michigan Constitution

The budget says that to receive the $321 million in safety and mental health funds, districts “must agree to be subject to a comprehensive investigation, must affirmatively agree to waive any privilege that may otherwise protect information from disclosure in the event of a mass casualty event, and must agree to comply with a comprehensive investigation.”

A mass casualty event is defined in the state budget in part as an incident “resulting in significant injuries to not fewer than 3 individuals” or an incident resulting in fatalities.

But the plaintiffs’ attorney, Scott Eldridge, argued in court that some of the budget language violates the Michigan Constitution because it is “exceedingly vague.” Specifically, Eldridge said the “waive any privilege” language is overly broad. He also said the definitions of a mass casualty event are too broad and vague.

“Vagueness means it’s limitless and unbound because it gives zero guideposts or direction as to what’s legal versus what’s illegal conduct,” Eldridge said.

Eldridge urged Patel to “use a scalpel instead of a machete” and declare those phrases unconstitutional.

But Patel noted in her ruling that the plaintiffs faced an “extremely steep hurdle” in proving those claims.

The “waive any privilege,” language, she said, “is clear and not vague,” and means what it says.

“Any and all privileges that may otherwise protect information from disclosure by the district are included,” Patel said in the ruling. “The breadth of the phrase does not render it ambiguous.”

At the hearing earlier this month, Eldridge questioned whether incidents like a bus accident on the way to school, concussions on a football field, a fight in the stands of an athletic event, food poisoning in the cafeteria, or a gas leak would be considered a mass casualty event.

“A significant injury is one that is severe enough to be noticed and have an effect on the injured person,” Patel responded in her ruling. She also said that the budget’s definition of a mass casualty event “may be broad, but it is understandable.”

Districts had until Dec. 4 to agree to waive their privilege. They have until Dec. 30 to rescind that agreement. The plaintiffs sought to extend that deadline to rescind even longer, asking Patel that if she rules against them in the lawsuit, that she set that deadline to 30 days after the appeals process is resolved. Patel said no in her ruling.

“There is no way for this Court or the interested parties to know how long the appellate process will take,” Patel said. “The distribution of funds cannot be delayed that long.”

Lori Higgins is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Detroit. You can reach her at lhiggins@chalkbeat.org.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization covering public education.



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Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Smart credit card moves to make in a recession

By  December 31, 2025   No comments

We’re not in a recession (as of this writing, at least), but that doesn’t mean people aren’t stressed. A NerdWallet survey found that 85% of Americans have concerns about tariffs, with 45% worrying that tariffs will result in a recession.

Experts aren’t too far behind in their fears. In early April, for example, J.P. Morgan Research raised their probability of a recession in 2025 to 60%, up from 40% at the beginning of 2024.

“There’s a lot of worry and concern right now in what is unknown, but there’s comfort in what is known,” says Bruce McClary, senior vice president, membership and communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). “There’s a lot that may be outside of your control, but there’s a lot within your control if you have the right information and take the right steps.”

Even if you’re in a stable position, there are ways to increase your financial resilience, and that includes taking a hard look at your credit. When times get tough, your credit health matters. It can give you more options if you need to spread out payments for unexpected expenses, open a new card, or negotiate with your card issuer for help if you’re struggling to afford your bills.

Regardless of whether we actually end up in a recession this year, these actions can help you feel more prepared to handle whatever comes your way.

1. Review your spending

The first step is knowing how much money you have coming in and going out, and step two is breaking down exactly what you’re spending money on. This is where you can put technology to work. According to Estela Nagahashi, interim CEO of University Credit Union, artificial intelligence-based budgeting tools can quickly tell you how much you spend in certain categories.

You can upload credit card and bank statements to ChatGPT, for example, and ask it to break down your spending by category. It can even craft charts illustrating your spending totals. “This can help you understand your spending and build a plan,” she says.

2. Check in on your emergency fund

Despite the name, an emergency fund isn’t just for the cost of a visit to urgent care. According to Brad Clark, an investment advisor representative in Indianapolis, emergencies are just irregular expenses. “They happen all the time.”

The NFCC’s 2025 Financial Literacy and Preparedness Survey found that 48% of U.S. adults feel like they are constantly treading water financially, and any unexpected expense could pull them under.

Adjusting your budget can free up more money to stash in your emergency fund. And having that money available can help you avoid or limit credit card debt when your roof leaks or your car needs new tires.

3. Keep your credit scores in good shape

Maintaining high credit scores can give you options. You’re more likely to qualify for a wider variety of credit cards, get access to other loans at lower interest rates, get approved for a rental home and more. This becomes important if you need a loan or the ability to relocate for job opportunities.

Economic conditions can also affect your access to credit based on your scores. Lenders tightened their belts in 2020, and many balance transfer credit cards stopped accepting new applications. Those that were still available required excellent credit to qualify.

A major way to keep your credit scores healthy is to pay all bills on time. This includes credit card bills, loan payments, and other expenses including rent and utilities. Just one missed payment can substantially lower your credit scores. Turn on text and email alerts on your credit issuer’s app so you don’t miss a due date, or set up autopayments for your credit card and other bills to make sure you avoid late payments.

4. Make a plan for debt repayment

A debt repayment method like debt avalanche or snowball (where you prioritize your payments either by interest rate or amount owed) can help keep you organized. But be strategic about where you carry a balance, too.

“You’re not doing yourself any favors if you’re carrying the largest balance on the card that charges the highest interest rate,” McClary says.

This is where debt consolidation can come in handy, because it allows you to move higher-interest debt to a new loan that charges less interest, saving you a considerable amount of money as you pay down debt.

If you have credit card debt, now is the time to look into personal loans and balance transfer credit cards. In times of economic turmoil, lenders get cautious, making it potentially more difficult to qualify.

5. Look for card benefits that matter to you

Credit card rewards can help lower costs, whether you earn cash back on your everyday purchases or rack up points you can use to travel at a discount.

Balance transfer cards, and cards with no-interest offers for new purchases, give you time to pay down a balance at 0% APR.

Your card might come with other perks that can be helpful, like cell phone and travel insurance, eliminating the need to pay for these protections separately.

Your card may also provide the ability to pay off a recent large purchase in installments. “Many credit cards now offer the ability to convert selected transactions into low interest payments, but over a third [of] indebted cardholders don’t know if their card offers a payment plan or not,” said John Cabell, managing director of payments intelligence at J.D. Power, in an email.

These features can help you save money, but it’s important to understand how they work. Nagahashi recalled a recent conversation with a credit union member. They used a card with a no-interest promotion to buy an air conditioning unit, but didn’t realize that interest would begin to accrue if they didn’t pay off the balance by the time the promotion ended.

“I always tell my members, ‘Pay attention to terms and conditions,’” she says.

6. Don’t hesitate to ask for help

If you’re unable to afford your credit card bills, don’t hide from your card issuer. Gather information about your financial situation, such as your credit scores, your budget and current sources of income. Call the number on the back of your card and talk to the bank about adjustments it might be willing to make to help you at this moment.

You’ll have more negotiating power if you ask for help before you miss payments. According to Nagahashi, issuers will be reluctant to work with you if your credit card bill is overdue by more than 90 days.

“Your credit card company doesn’t really know what’s happening in real time that’s influencing your ability to pay them on time,” McClary says. “You’re helping them help you find alternatives to going into debt collection or worse.”

Sara Rathner writes for NerdWallet. Email: srathner@nerdwallet.com. The article Smart Credit Card Moves to Make in a Recession originally appeared on NerdWallet.

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These are the 10 best places to live in Oakland County

By  December 31, 2025   No comments

Finding the perfect place to live doesn’t have to be a hassle.

Niche, a website offering rankings and statistics on towns, schools and colleges, also publishes a ranking of the best places to live in Oakland County. See the rankings below to find out how towns in Oakland County stack up.

These statistics were calculated based on public schools, crime rates, cost of living, and family-friendly amenities. Data for these categories come from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other data sources. You can find the full methodology here.

Here are the top 10 best places to live in Oakland County on the list.

Best Places to Live in Oakland County

1. Troy

  • Average home value: $375,600
  • Population: 87,170

Troy is home to a number of major companies, and many residents are able to work just a short drive from their homes.

2. Novi

  • Average home value: $380,200
  • Population: 65,870

Novi is located on picturesque Walled Lake. Residents enjoy excellent public schools, housing, outdoor activities, and jobs.

3. Birmingham

  • Average home value: $679,700
  • Population: 21,738

Birmingham’s bustling downtown, excellent schools, and well-maintained parks are some of the reasons so many people choose to live there.

4. Beverly Hills

  • Average home value: $459,500
  • Population: 10,550

Along with being a safe place to live, Beverly Hills boasts high-ranking schools and highly rated parks. The city earned an “A+” in the “public schools” and “good for families” categories from Niche.

5. Farmington

  • Average home value: $262,400
  • Population: 11,486

Farmington is known for its many restaurants, shopping areas, recreation centers, and small businesses. It earns great scores from Niche in the school quality category, too.

6. Huntington Woods

  • Average home value: $457,600
  • Population: 6,365

Huntington Woods is located in an enviable spot—close enough to the bustle of restaurants and entertainment of nearby Royal Oak and just 12 miles north of Detroit.

7. Rochester

  • Average home value: $447,800
  • Population: 12,978

Rochester’s picturesque surroundings offer families excellent access to parks and schools. Kids, and parents, too, have many options for healthy activities.

8. Bloomfield Charter Township

  • Average home value: $542,400
  • Population: 44,016

With excellent schools, parks, and family activities, Bloomfield Charter Township is regarded as a great place to settle down, earning an “A+” from Niche in the “good for families” category.

9. Berkley

  • Average home value: $275,100
  • Population: 15,150

Berkley’s high scores in Niche’s categories for housing, public schools, jobs, cost of living, and outdoor activities make Berkley an excellent choice for families.

10. Royal Oak

  • Average home value: $289,800
  • Population: 58,053

Residents and visitors alike love Royal Oak for its major festivals like Arts, Beat and Eats and the Woodward Dream Cruise. Its charming downtown area is filled with thriving restaurants, cafes, salons, boutiques, and more.

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