Moving to Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills, located 22 miles from Downtown Detroit, is the epitome of suburban life and consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the US. This family-friendly city has a population of 83,000 and offers its residents abundant outdoor recreational activities.  

Not to be confused with the nearby town of Farmington, Farmington Hills is a larger city with a diverse and growing population. New arrivals moving to Farmington Hills for job opportunities will be delighted to find that the city offers lucrative salaries and top-notch schools.  

Cost of living in Farmington Hills 

At 25 percent above the national average, Farmington Hills's living cost is high. Despite rising accommodation costs, newcomers on a tight budget can still rent a spacious apartment at a relatively affordable cost.  

Groceries are also pricey in the city, but fortunately, salaries are high in Farmington Hills, so most residents will find the cost of living affordable. Farmington Hills is a car-dependent city, so new arrivals may need to consider the cost of purchasing and maintaining a vehicle in their monthly budgets.  

Newcomers don't need to worry about paying high utility costs in Farmington Hills, as they are more reasonable compared to other parts of the country. Healthcare costs in Michigan are also affordable compared to most US states.  

Read more about living costs in the larger metropolitan area in Cost of Living in Detroit. 

Getting around in Farmington Hills 

New arrivals moving to Farmington Hills will likely have to purchase a car to make their commute in the city effective. The regional transport authority, SMART, provides six fixed bus routes across Farmington Hills to connect residents to employment and educational opportunities.

The local Farmington Hills government has partnered with SMART to introduce a ride-hailing service in the city. The SMART Flex fares are affordable and the service is extremely convenient. Rides are available seven days a week from 6am to 11pm. Newcomers can simply download the SMART Flex application to request a ride.  

For more on public transport, see Getting Around in Detroit.

Useful links 

• SMART 

Healthcare in Farmington Hills 

Farmington Hills welcomes new residents with ten top-notch hospitals that deliver exceptional and prompt patient care. Beaumont Hospitals, Farmington Hills and Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital are the city's top emergency and urgent care centres.  

Part of the Corewell Health hospital system, Beaumont Hospital is a teaching hospital boasting a sleep clinic, heart health centre, and rehabilitation services. The hospital is also a Level II Trauma Center, giving patients access to high-level care.  

Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital is located a little further out from Farmington Hills, but is still one of the biggest hospitals in the region. The hospital is home to experts in various fields and includes a top-notch Primary Stroke Centre.

Health insurance is essential for accessing care in the area. For an in-depth insight into health insurance in the USA, read Understanding Health Insurance in the USA.

Useful links 

• Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills 
• Henry Ford Bloomfield Hospital 

Schools in Farmington Hills 

Education and schools in Farmington Hills are highly rated and considered among the best in Michigan. Farmington Public Schools is the school district that manages public schools in both Farmington Hills and Farmington. The school district focuses on developing lifelong learners who are strategic communicators and resilient problem-solvers.

Farmington Public Schools boasts an International Baccalaureate high school, a STEAM academy, and special educational services to cater to diverse student needs. Many private schools in Farmington Hills have a religious affiliation, usually Catholic or Jewish, but it's also possible to find schools offering alternative pedagogical approaches.

Several private schools, including the Montessori Academy of Farmington Hills and Red Hill Montessori, offer preschool education using Montessori principles. Parents looking for schools offering foreign curricula are better off searching for options in Detroit, where they can find international schools teaching overseas systems such as those of Germany and France. 

See International Schools in Detroit for more schooling options in the metropolis. 

Useful links 

• Farmington Public Schools 

Weather in Farmington Hills 

The climate in Farmington Hills is humid continental, with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold, with many snowfall days. The average winter temperature is 36°F (2°C).  

Wet weather is common throughout the year in Farmington Hills, but spring and summer are the wettest months. Summers in the city are hot, and average highs often reach 83°F (28°C), with July being the hottest month of the year.  

Weather in Detroit has more on regional weather patterns.

Working in Farmington Hills 

The job market in Farmington Hills is thriving, with several multinational companies such as Bosch USA, Dell, and Panasonic operating local branches in the city. The city's largest employer is the manufacturing sector, followed by the healthcare and social assistance industry.  

Thanks to Farmington Hills's excellent road infrastructure, it's also easy for new arrivals to live in Farmington Hills and work in Detroit. Highly qualified and experienced newcomers will find plenty of management opportunities, while administrative and sales vacancies also abound.  

Accommodation in Farmington Hills 

With more than 20 neighbourhoods, Farmington Hills offers newcomers plenty of housing options. The city is known for providing its residents with safe neighbourhoods and convenient access to exciting outdoor recreational activities.  

Many of the city's homes are single-family homes with large and spacious lots. Still, it's also possible to find condos, townhouses, and apartments that offer communal living. Farmington Hills boasts fantastic road networks, ensuring that residents are always conveniently located near a critical roadway, no matter where they choose to live.

Wood Creek and Copper Creek are lovely and affordable neighbourhoods with a strong sense of community and charming homes on tree-lined streets. Families love having access to highly-rated schools such as Wood Creek Elementary School and North Farmington High School. To top it off, Wood Creek is situated right next to Heritage Park and Woodland Hills Nature Park, while Copper Creek is home to a manicured golf course and clubhouse.  

Professionals seeking modern conveniences and stimulating recreational activities such as tennis and swimming can explore Farmington Ridge. This neighbourhood has various housing styles and sizes, with tennis courts and a community pool. Orchard Lake Plaza provides Farmington Ridge residents with vibrant dining and shopping experiences.  

Read Accommodation in the USA to find out about national rental processes. 

Lifestyle in Farmington Hills 

The lifestyle in Farmington Hills is a haven for nature lovers and those seeking a more leisurely pace of life. For more variety, nearby Detroit offers extensive nightlife, shopping, and sporting activities.  

Farmington Hills has more than 600 acres of public parks, with Heritage Park Nature Centre being the most popular. The park has almost 5 miles (7km) of hiking trails, which convert to cross-country skiing trails in winter. Heritage Park Nature Centre is a perfect family fun day spot, with a splash pad, youth playground and hockey ice rink.

Though technically part of Farmington, Downtown Farmington is a stone's throw from Farmington Hills and offers residents vibrant eateries and cafés in a charming, pedestrianised historic centre. Many of the redeveloped historic centre's restaurants have deep roots in the local community and offer authentic and delicious local cuisine. 

Golfers moving to Farmington Hills are in for a treat. The Farmington Hills Golf Club and Copper Creek Golf Club are the perfect places to spend leisurely afternoons teeing on the course. Farmington Hills Golf Club even has a clubhouse and pro shop.  

Art lovers are also well catered for in Farmington Hills, with several art galleries, including the Plein Air Artist Gallery at the Heritage Park Nature Centre, showcasing different exhibitions throughout the year. Young theatre enthusiasts can explore their creative sides at the Farmington Hills Youth Theatre. 

Lifestyle in Detroit informs newcomers about things to see and do in the greater metro area.

Useful links

• The City of Farmington Hills – Recreational Activities