Sweet Home Ferndale

When I worked in Northville, MI, I was making enough money to buy my own place. Finally, "a place for all my stuff"! I had dreamed about having a place to call home for ten years prior to that.

My uncle recommended a real estate agent, and although I wanted to stay on the "west side", the agent took me around the Royal Oak/Ferndale/Madison Heights area. I looked at 5-7 houses when I decided on the one I eventually bought.

I live on the border of Ferndale and Hazel Park... one block from I-75 and a few blocks from I-696. Although the location is close to the freeways, I don't really get bothered with much noise.

The neighborhood is quiet - there is a park on the corner from my house. The neighborhood is safe - cops patrol the area regularly - there is a park on the corner from my house.

Ferndale is an awesome place to live. Often treated like the red-headed stepchild of Royal Oak, it has sprouted into a respected community.

There are areas that one can tell it's been settled for quite a while, yet there are many areas of new development.

Ferndale's "main street" has been evolving constantly for the last 10-15 years. The "cross roads" of 9 Mile and Woodward are nearly complete in their renovation. This area, which lies 2 miles from my house has become culturally diversified and a great yuppie hangout.

There are standard restaurants such as Maria's Back Room, but there are many other great places to eat within a mile of the 9 Mile and Woodward intersection.

Ferndale even as its' own microbrewery - Woodward Avenue Brewery - and a national act drawing concert theater in the Magic Bag. Yup, you guessed it, they are both within crawling distance of 9 Mile and Woodward.

Every winter, the city of Ferndale hosts the winter freeze blues festival - and this year, for the super bowl, they will have 50 bands performing over the course of 10 days.

Yep, Ferndale has been a great place to live. With lots of trees and parks, the city is just like the city you remember growing up in. Only different.