Royal Oak

About Royal Oak

Royal Oak is a midsize suburb just 15 miles north of downtown Detroit. It's widely known as the home of the famous Detroit Zoo, and it has a range of other attractions and amenities to enjoy. Royal Oak has been designated as a "Tree City USA" every year since 1976, marking its ongoing efforts in tree planting and conservation.

Royal Oak, Past and Present

Discovered by settlers in the early 1800s, Royal Oak received its name from a giant oak tree that once stood within the city limits. For most of its early years, the city relied heavily on agriculture as its main economic activity. However, the boom of the auto industry caused many people to flock to the town, which incorporated as a city in 1921.

Because of its age, the city has numerous historical landmarks such as the Royal Oak Music Theatre and the Landmark Main Art Theatre. It also has a wonderfully restored downtown area that looks much like it did nearly 100 years ago, complete with shops, restaurants and nearly 50 parks. As you explore the downtown area and the city's historical points of interest, you'll have the unique opportunity to get a peek back in time at Royal Oak's early beginnings.

Living and Working in Royal Oak

Royal Oak is an excellent place to be looking for a job, with an unemployment rate that's dramatically lower than the state and national averages. This is due to the presence of a number of large employers in the city and nearby, providing a full variety of local jobs. Some of the area's top employers include William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak Schools, Metaldyne, the city of Royal Oak and National City Bank. With such a diversified job market, it's a great place to find work no matter what your expertise is. Plus, because you're so close to Detroit, you can always make the short commute into the city for work.

Royal Oak's convenient location also makes it easy to head into the big city for sporting events, concerts and festivals. However, a lot of cultural events happen right in Royal Oak. Over Labor Day weekend, the city hosts the Arts, Beats and Eats Festival, one of the most highly acclaimed festivals in the state.

Royal Oak Schools

The majority of public schools in Royal Oak fall under the jurisdiction of the Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools. You'll also find several private schools in Royal Oak and its neighboring communities, providing you with plenty of educational options for your child.

Resources for Moving to Royal Oak

Here are a few handy resources that can help make your move to Royal Oak as stress-free as possible:

• Utilities: The main electricity provider in the area is DTE Energy, while water and sewer services are managed by the city.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recyclables are collected on a weekly basis. Yard waste collection is also offered, but only on a seasonal basis.
• Transportation: Royal Oak is part of the SMART bus transit network, which serves the majority of communities in the Detroit area.

Royal Oak Housing

Because Royal Oak is a fairly popular suburb of Detroit, you can expect home prices to be higher than average. The median home price in Royal Oak is quite a bit higher than the Michigan average, which is in contrast to many of the city's neighboring, budget-friendly suburbs. Because there are a range of housing options to choose from, however, you should be able to find something to fit your needs.