Posted: 8/11/2011 9:23:46 AM EDT
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Hello everyone, I have a nice advancement opportunity at work that involves staying up in Novi for 6 months to a year. I was just looking at some input on that area, dining, fun, overall opinions of the area. I will have decent living expense comp so suggestions on areas near to that are also welcome. I would like to keep my daily commute under 30min. |
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There are enough different places to eat in and around Novi (Northville, Livonia, Farmington, Plymouth) to keep you occupied for the first couple months. Downtown Detroit via freeway is about 25-30 minutes and fairly safe around the popular areas like greek town, the stadium area (Lions have a team this year), and the casinos. Don't venture too much farther than that unless you are armed. Royal Oak is filled with Libs but there are some good places to eat. There are private gun clubs in all directions that allow non-members to participate in skeet, trap, 3-gun, IDPA, & IPSC 30 -60 minutes in any direction, almost every weekend.
Good luck |
| The Metro Detroit area is all suburbs. Every city is going to have suburban sprawl, but this area has much more, to the point that the suburbs are significantly bigger than the city itself. Each suburb tends to have it's own identity, and going out for a night to any given one isn't a terribly big drive. Rush hour is kinda weird. Leave at a certain time and it might take you 15 minutes to get somewhere. Leave 10 minutes later and it might take you 45-60. |
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Thank you for the feedback. Any places that I have to hit? For example if you were to come to Cincinnati I would recommend at least one meal at the Precinct or Boathouse, both owned by Jeff Ruby and kick ass places to eat. I am still looking into the reciprocity laws with me having my Ohio CHL. |
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I dunno about "must eat at" places. Maybe Pegasus (Greek) and Fishbones (Cajun/Creole) both in Greektown (part of Detroit), Kruse and Muir (mostly seafood) in Rochester, Slows BBQ in Detroit. For more upscale you're looking at Rattlesnake Club, the Whitney, Opus One.
You definitely have to hit LaFayette and American Coney Islands downtown to see which is better. If you really want, try Lipuma's in Rochester (I think they're the best). Don't know why, but Detroit is known for coneys. Things to do, you gotta check out a Red Wings game at the Joe (predrink at the Old Shillelagh and take the party bus to the game). Lions and Tigers both have newer stadiums and decent looking teams. Hell, find a way to get tickets to a Michigan game and get awed by the Big House. The DIA is a great museum. There's also Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Museum (historical set-up), and the Detroit Science Center. There's also several casinos downtown if gambling is up your alley. There's often some festival (Jazzfest, Electronic, Hoe-Down) going on downtown. For nightlife, it depends on your age and tastes. Royal Oak is decent (careful about straying into "Fashionable" Ferndale). Good mix of bars, from lounges to biker bars, to trendy, to college kids. Some decent places in sections of downtown too. Pontiac used to have the "nightclub" scene...don't know if it's still alive and well. If you fish, you have to get out on Lake St. Clair for awesome smallies (and good Muskie). Lots of inland lakes to explore too. A nice side trip can include Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, Petosky, Mackinaw. |
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The Metro Detroit area is all suburbs. Every city is going to have suburban sprawl, but this area has much more, to the point that the suburbs are significantly bigger than the city itself. Each suburb tends to have it's own identity, and going out for a night to any given one isn't a terribly big drive. Rush hour is kinda weird. Leave at a certain time and it might take you 15 minutes to get somewhere. Leave 10 minutes later and it might take you 45-60. Surface streets move pretty well during rush hour, BTW OP. Novi is a nice town, a little bit upper crust in most areas. There is a lot to do on this side of Detroit. |
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There's good news and bad news for your Ohio permit in Michigan.
If you are just visiting, your Ohio permit is valid in Michigan. You have to follow our rules about our "no carry" zones, etc., of course. But, if you become a Michigan resident, your Ohio CCW permit is no longer valid, and you'll have to take the class and fill out the application for a Michigan Concealed Pistol License instead. Michigan does NOT allow Michigan residents to carry in Michigan on out-of-state permits. Whether you want to become a resident or not, Michigan may consider you a resident if you stay in the state for work for a certain amount of time, even if you haven't changed to a Michigan DL, etc. If you really will be living here for six months to a year, and your primary residence for that time is in Michigan, you may very well 'become" a Michigan resident in the eyes of the state even if you don't want to. Of course, if you do something obviousl, like change to a Michigan DL, then you are pretty much declaring your a Michigan resident from that point on. You'll want to check into the residency issues yourself and make sure you don't cause yourself any unneeded grief. |
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As far as residency just don't change your driver's license/vehicle registration/insurance, and if possible don't open a bank account under a Michigan address.
I can tell you from experience, when I lived out of state (masquerading as a Michigan resident) the only tricky part was car insurance. I was unaware, but state farm literally had immediate knowledge of address changes on my bank account at chase. My agent called several times to question my residency. Ymmv |
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::update:: Everything has been finalized today, I will be heading up there in early September and be staying for 3-6 months. I just renewed my DL and CCW as my birthday is late august. I also (own, well I pay a mortgage) on a house in Cincinnati. TreBor: You'll want to check into the residency issues yourself and make sure you don't cause yourself any unneeded grief. I went over this with my employer, attorney, and insurance agent for tax reasons alone and will not be on any kind of extended lease in Michigan for that reason. I will be returning to Cincinnati nearly every weekend and the company will be paying my living expenses on a weekly basis in lieu of a long term lease. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and I will have a good time up north.  Thanks again for the advice! I love this website. |
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My parents just moved to Nortville to get away from the arabs near Detroit and I just got a job there. Trebor, what gun club is near by? I'm guessing Livingston Gun Club in Brighton? Yep, Livingston Gun Club. (Didn't see the question earlier, sorry) |
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Sounds like you have a plan. I'm pretty close to Novi. Shoot me an e-mail when you get here and I'll take you out shooting at my local club as a guest. Will do! Same here, I'm in Westland and work in Plymouth. We'll go out and find us some trouble. |
| If you are in need of any spirituality while in Novi, this is a great church that some of my shooting buddies attend. There are 3 services, Sat. at 5:15, Sunday at 9:15, and 11:15. |
