Livonia

About Livonia

The city of Livonia is a large suburb, located about 15 miles from Detroit's downtown district. Livonia grew rapidly during the 1940s, '50s and '60s, which accounts for its large number of traditionally-planned neighborhoods made up of mid-century homes. You'll also find a variety of amenities in the city, including thriving shopping districts, several art galleries and many recreational facilities.

The History of Livonia

The Potawatomi Native American tribe was the first group of people to call the area home, long before the city of Livonia had been conceived. The land featured abundant food and water sources as well as plenty of space for harvesting crops. In the early 1800s, settlers arrived in Livonia and established a township. They built dairy farms, which provided a source of food as well as a way to make a living, and planted fruit orchards. Much of the heavily forested area was cleared for development.

However, the Livonia population did not initially grow at a fast rate. Locals raised cows and sheep and harvested the land, but new arrivals were few and far between throughout the city's first 100 years. Over time, the local government built roads and created new avenues for generating income. The major industries gradually transitioned from agriculture to manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector.

The township officially became a city when the first horse track was built. It was designed to boost the local economy, and the plan largely succeeded. In 1950, only 17,000 people called Livonia home, but its population had bloomed to include more than 100,000 people as of the late 1990s.

Living in Livonia

Livonia is a highly livable city with plenty of amenities and attractions. Numerous restaurants are found in the downtown area, which features quaint architecture and pedestrian-friendly streets. Shopping venues, coffee shops and fitness centers are all easily accessible. As a local, you'll enjoy Livonia for its abundant green space, historical architecture and welcoming atmosphere. Several museums offer both visitors and locals a glimpse of Livonia's history as well as an interesting way to occupy your time.

Many cities that feature copious amenities involve high costs of living, but that's not so in Livonia. This city is highly affordable in all categories, including transportation, groceries, health care and housing. Livonia's low crime rates have also been a major factor in attracting families to the area. Although Michigan winters are notoriously cold, the area makes up for it with a mild, sunny summer.

Livonia Schools

The majority of the city's schools fall within the Livonia Public Schools system, which includes elementary, middle and high schools as well as two early childhood centers. The district is unique in that each of its high schools offers a different educational program, including global education, STEM, fine arts and international baccalaureate programs. You can also enroll your child in one of several parochial schools in Livonia.

In addition to primary and secondary education, Livonia also provides easily accessible higher education within its city limits. Local campuses include Madonna University and Schoolcraft Community College.

Resources for Moving to Livonia

Before you move to Livonia, you can use the following information to make the process a bit easier:

• Utilities: Livonia's primary electricity provider is DTE Energy. The city manages its own water and sewer services.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recyclables are generally collected on the same day, once per week. Alternatively, you can drop off your recyclables at the city's recycling center.
• Transportation: The Detroit Department of Public Transportation operates a handful of fixed bus routes through Livonia.

Livonia Housing

Although the median home price in Livonia is just slightly above the national average, it's still fairly expensive when compared to the typically affordable Michigan housing market. Prices are expected to continue rising, which could be a good sign for your investment. If you prefer to rent, you can find a range of rental properties, including apartments and town homes.