MACOMB COUNTY

Highlights

Realtor Jeff Glover, of Birmingham’s Jeff Glover and Associates, is seeing plenty of movement in the luxury market, but not in the top-tier in communities such as Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, the Grosse Pointes, and Northville. “There are huge slowdowns and price reductions — 7 to 10 percent— in the above-$1.5 million range, but the more affordable homes below that price point are getting multiple offers.” Below are the top towns in the luxury market (homes over $500,000 median sale price) in Oakland, Wayne, and Macomb counties.

West Bloomfield Township (48324)

No. 1 in Oakland County

This exclusive, lake-rich — including Cass, Orchard, Upper Straits, Union, and others — and well-moneyed ZIP code includes Marshbank Park, the Orchard Lake Village community and its private country club, and some of the priciest real estate in the metro area. Portions of 48324 are contained within or border the city limits of Orchard Lake Village, Waterford, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, and Bloomfield Township.

West Bloomfield made Money’s list of “Best Places to Live in America” in 2020, and Niche gives the township an overall grade of A-plus. If you’re a well-known sports figure, entertainer, lake person, or one of the movers and shakers in metro Detroit society, this primo ZIP code is where you want to be. It is also home to the largest inland lake in southeast Michigan, Cass Lake, which is also one of the most frequented, according to Pure Michigan.

“The latest and greatest coffee shop is Cafe Bliss on Haggerty Road,” Glover says, “and the best five-star dining is Prime 29 on Orchard Lake and Maple roads.” Many school districts serve West Bloomfield Township, including West Bloomfield School District, Waterford School District, Farmington Public Schools, Birmingham City School District, Pontiac School District, Walled Lake Consolidated School District, and the Bloomfield Hills School District.

U.S. News’ list of the top high schools in Michigan ranks International Academy in Bloomfield Hills as No. 3 and Seaholm High School in Birmingham as No. 15.

Canton (48188)

No. 1 in Wayne County (two-way tie)

Officially the Charter Township of Canton, this town dates to 1830 and once was known as the sweet corn capital of Michigan. Today, it’s a bustling community that Niche lauds with an A-plus for its “sparse suburban feel”; “restaurants, coffee shops, and parks”; and “highly rated” schools. It’s also close to De- troit Metropolitan Airport, Ann Arbor, and Detroit via I-275.

“Canton is booming,” says Knick, who points out the great diversity of housing, with lots of custom-built neighborhoods with natural landscaping. Bart Patterson, associate broker with RE/Max Classic in Canton, notes that Canton’s main corridor along Ford Road features shopping galore, and the Summit on the Park facility includes a farmers market and a recreation facility that hosts soccer tournaments, fitness classes, and events. It is also home to a world-class ice arena, Arctic Edge, where several Olympians have trained, and two notable golf courses — Fellows Creek and Pheasant Run.

The new-urbanist neighborhood of Cherry Hill Village boasts a 400-seat theater and an arts warehouse with art vendors and teaching programs. A smorgasbord of eateries represent Canton’s diverse population, and a favorite hangout is the Euro-style Coffee Haus on Joy Road with specialty coffees and divine edibles. Portions of 48188 are also contained within or border the city limits of Westland and Wayne.

The Plymouth-Canton Community School District is ranked in the top 5 percent of Michigan’s schools by Public School Review. Additionally, Canton High School is No. 25 on U.S News list of the best high schools in Michigan.

Grosse Pointe

(48230 and 48236)

No. 1 in Wayne County (two-way tie)/No. 3 in Wayne County

The elegant five-community Grosse Pointes east of Detroit is where young and old money (e.g., the Fords) live and play, and housing ranges from 100-year-old Tudors to castle-like mansions along the water. One of the most affluent communities in this ZIP code is Grosse Pointe Farms, the second richest city in Michigan, just behind Birmingham, according to Forbes It spans two ZIP codes: 48230 and 48236.

The Hill on Kercheval Avenue is considered Grosse Pointe Farms’ downtown and runs from Muir to Fisher roads, with regular events, lots of retail, and plenty of tasty food at eateries such as Morning Glory for coffee and farm-to-table Jumps or Luxe for vino and dinner.

Kathleen Best, an agent with RE/Max Eclipse, has sold four high-end multifamily units in Grosse Pointe Park to young professionals and doctors who are resi-