Is Birmingham MI a Good Place to Live?

When you’re thinking about moving to a new city, what factors would you consider important? Maybe you would think about how high are the chances for better employment, or what good schools can you send your children to. Maybe you are also thinking about finding a safe home, or somewhere that inspires an appreciation for the outdoors. 

Is Birmingham City in Michigan State a good place to live, given the above-mentioned factors? Arguably, it is. Living in Birmingham means you have access to some of the strongest public schools and the lowest crime rates in the state. Birmingham also boasts some of the nation’s most affluent suburbs. It is home to one of the Midwest’s leading centers for business, social, and cultural activities. 

It is also home to one of the leading plastic surgery destinations in Michigan - Masri Clinic.

Basics About Birmingham, MI

Birmingham City is located in Oakland County, approximately halfway between Detroit City and Pontiac City. In 2016, it was ranked as one of the top 25 Michigan cities to live in, and in 2010 it was deemed as one of the top 20 best places for a healthy retirement.

With a livability index of 81, the 20,000 residents living in Birmingham enjoy clean and well-maintained neighborhoods, high employment rates, a reasonable cost of living, and an overall excellent quality of education.

Raising Children In Birmingham

One of the city’s strong points is the quality education its students receive. The Birmingham Public School District has been ranked as the 7th Best School District in Michigan, and the 13th Best School District for Athletes in the state as well. 

State test scores show that 56% of the city’s public school students are at least proficient in math, while 60% of the students are at least proficient in reading. Test scores in Ernest W. Seaholm High School, Wylie E. Groves High School, Derby Middle School, and Quarton Elementary School also show an average that is 21% higher than the national statistic. 

Eleven of the public schools have also been designated as National Schools of Character, serving as an exemplary model for schools across the United States. These public schools were selected for the successful implementation of Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education. 

Students in the city also have high standards to live up to: 39% of adults have an educational attainment of master’s degree or higher, while 37% have bachelor’s degrees. 

The school district is also considered as the third safest in the state, reflecting the low crime rates in Birmingham. 

The city’s crime rate is 73% lower than the national average, while its violent crime rate is lower by 88%. In 2018, only 489 crimes were reported to the police department, in comparison to the 2,000 cases recorded in 1985. Overall, there is a 1 in 145 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. 

Working In Birmingham

The City of Birmingham, Michigan covers 4.73 square miles, and its residential spaces maintain the feel of a small town. On the other hand, its downtown is a thriving urban area. With over 1,700 businesses in the city, including 300 high-end retail stores and restaurants, the local economy of the city can afford to keep 72.60% of the adult population employed. 

Birmingham’s unemployment rate is around 3%, which is lower than the national average. The median income is around $120,000, with 26% of its residents earning over $200,000 annually. 22.5% of the adult residents also make deposits to individual 401(k) retirement savings accounts. 

These factors make Birmingham one of the richer cities in Michigan, and it is attributed to the high educational attainment of the city’s residences, as well as the availability of many decent opportunities for employment. 

Regarding the cost of living, the city’s ‘cost of living index’ is at 139.6, or approximately 22% higher than the national average.This is largely due to the real estate prices. The median cost of rent is around $1,223, while the median home value at approximately $488,900. Almost 80% of the city’s residents own their own houses, preferring to buy real estate over renting a home. 

Other factors considered in the cost of living are groceries (4% higher than the national average), and utilities (6% lower than the national average). Healthcare here is 15% higher than the national average, though 96.90% of the population avail of health insurance. 

Retiring In Birmingham 

Birmingham is #5 among the top 10 US retirement cities, and it is widely considered as one of the best places to live in as a senior citizen. Retirees can experience the city’s vibrant artistic and cultural programs, as well as its recreational and leisure activities. 

Residents living in Birmingham have access to public art installations, a public library, and a local historical museum. The city also has 26 parks spanning a total of 230 acres, which cover more than 10% of the city’s acreage. Events such as the “In the Park Summer Concert” series are frequently hosted in these outdoor areas. 

For residents who are interested in maintaining an active lifestyle, Birmingham was also considered the 5th most successful walkable suburb by the Wall Street Journal in 2020, and the city has dedicated two miles of walking trails along the Rouge River. 

If you’re looking for a city with designated areas for physical fitness, Birmingham will probably be a highly-ranked choice among all places to live. Sports enthusiasts will feel at home as the city has two nine-hole municipal golf courses, an outdoor skating rink, plus baseball, softball, and tennis courts. 

Retirees will not have any difficulties using transportation around the city. Birmingham NEXT is the daytime ride program for Senior Citizens, and retirees may avail discounted rides through the city’s Community Partnership Program. Passenger trains, fixed-route buses, shuttles, and curb-to-curb services are among the city’s transportation options.

Shopping for fresh, organic produce is also convenient, as the Birmingham Farmers Market caters weekly to shoppers who are interested in Michigan-grown produce, floral arrangements, baked goods, locally raised meat, eggs, shrimp, and more. 

The dining and shopping district of Birmingham, MI also offers a diverse range of restaurants, cafés, bars, clothing stores, salons, spas, antique shops, and art galleries - all located in the heart of its downtown area. 

World Class Services at Masri Clinic 

Experience the best of what the strong local business scene in Birmingham has to offer. In Michigan, Masri Clinic is the leading plastic surgery destination. 

For residents and visitors alike, Masri Clinic treats patients with the newest advancements in laser and cosmetic surgery procedures. Our team at Masri Clinic combines the latest techniques with years of experience in both surgical and non-surgical treatments to help our patients achieve long-lasting and excellent results. Allow us to go above and beyond your expectations. Schedule a consultation with us today. 

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