Though Money magazine rated the region 19 on a "Best Small Cities" list of 90 in 2006, the accolade stands figuratively true seven years later for locals who love the home sweet home feel of Sterling Heights.
A low unemployment rate, sensational subdivisions, excellent education system and comfortable four-season climate, set Sterling Heights apart from other Michigan municipalities.
Take a moment to read about the region's cost of living, climate, culture and recreation with your loved ones to see if your family would fit well in the area.
Sterling Heights Climate
Locals in the sector frequently seek out shelter from the storm since Sterling Heights gets 29 inches of rain and 34 inches of snowfall a year during 127 precipitating days. Though they keep their umbrellas at hand, regional residents also keep sun protection close for the 180 sunny days the sector sees a year. Locals sport light clothes and sandals in the province during the hottest month of July, which averages 82 degrees, and layer up rather than lather up with scarves, sweaters and snow boots during the coldest month of January, which drops down to 17 degrees.
Sterling Heights Neighborhoods
Located in Macomb County, neighbored by communities including Rochester, Utica, Madison Heights and Fraser, Sterling Heights camaraderie can be throughout the entire sector regardless of the socioeconomically defined districts that make up the 36-square mile municipality. While some sections feature school sites, other areas flaunt affluent housing. Those who live upscale reside in the richer districts located off of Longview Drive, Metropolitan Parkway and 19 Mile Road. Families with children most often live close to any one of the many elementary, middle and high school campuses located off of Ryan, Hayes and Utica Roads. As with any city center, locals live among the commercial property downtown, providing a mix of personal and professional living in the same locale.
Registering Your Car
Upon your relocation to Sterling Heights, you'll need to head over to the Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles for a new license, registration and tags. To transfer your registration, you will need proof of auto insurance in Michigan, proof of identification and the original vehicle title. To transfer your driver's license, you will need proof of identity and residence, your Social Security card, valid Michigan auto insurance, and you will have to pass a vision test and knowledge test.
The average fee for a license is $25 and the cost of registration and plates can run $20 and up depending on whether or not you choose special tags.
Sterling Heights Schools
Utica Community Schools and Warren Consolidated Schools are where Sterling Heights students are educated, being taught in the dozens of elementary, middle and high school campuses. Along with offering a strong public education, Sterling Heights provides Parkway Christian School and other parochial campuses for students interested in religious-based curriculum. As for post-secondary sites, the sector is conveniently close to some of the top schools in the state including Eastern Michigan College, Concordia University and Detroit College.
Sterling Heights Employment
With a 6.7 unemployment rate, which falls lower than the national average, the city economy thrives off diverse industries such as manufacturing, retail and services. Locals also make a good living in the real estate, transportation, communication and insurance trades. For those on the other side of employment, municipal merchants keep their finances fruitful working with the Sterling Chamber of Commerce, which offers many incentives to business owners within the borders.
Living Costs in the City
Though the cost of living in the Michigan Community is 11.5 percent greater than the national average, the low unemployment rate balances the bit pricier livelihood, making it more than possible to live a quality life in the greater Detroit region. CNN Money reports a median family income of $78,947 and a median home price of $186,000. If residents prefer renting rather than purchasing property, the cost for a basic one-bedroom apartment starts around $700 a month. As expected, rent is higher for more luxurious units in the locale, with a one-bedroom costing over a $1,000 in some areas. Utility services also vary depending on the family size and service usage.
Sterling Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Sterling, whether you’re moving from out of state or from another county in Michigan. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Sterling Heights Transportation
The fixed bus route service in town, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, SMART, transports locals who wish to have someone else do the driving. However, many Michigan residents who prefer to sit in the driver's seat ride the highly-traveled roadways of M-53, also known as Van Dyke Avenue or Freeway and M-59, also called Hall Road. With two roundabouts in the region, there is a clear north/south path through the sector on Mound Road. As for air travel, locals commute a short distance to the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to get in and out of town.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Several annual events keep locals busy throughout the year, with something special going down each season. Some affairs residents revel and eat at are the Dodge Park Memorial Day Parade, American-Polish Festival, Sterlingfest, SterlingScapes V Exhibition at City Center and a Sterling Christmas. Along with city-wide events, the area has an arrangement of parks for families to picnic, exercise, and explore. When not outside enjoying Mother Nature, locals jump in their cars and commute a short distance to the 27 movie theaters, 4,277 restaurants, 309 bars, 150 public golf courses and five ski resorts in the surrounding regions. Whether in town or directly out of the city, residents always look forward to some good Michigan times.
Sterling Heights Relocation Tips
- Relocating is a mammoth chore, which is why asking for moving help is a wise thing to do. You would be surprised how many family and friends want to step up to the plate when they find out you are moving to another province.
- Know the mover's duties and responsibilities so you are aware of what important tasks may or may not be getting done during moving. Remember you hired the movers so you have every right to point out any problems you may see.
- As noted above, moving is no joke, which is why reflecting on the move after you have settled in is so important. You never know what you may have missed along the very stressful way.