Michigan Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Lathrup Village, Michigan

Population: 4,236

Located in Oakland County

Right between the city of Southfield and Beverly Hills lies the unique small township of Lathrup Village, with one-of-a-kind homes, quiet streets, large gardens, and a painter's paradise. In 1923, Louise Lathrup Kelley acquired 1,000 acres in Southfield Township. The area was known as Lathrup Townsite where a controlled building plan was followed restricting the subdivisions to all brick houses of high quality, and a beautiful development began to emerge in strict accordance with her ideas, which she carried out throughout her life.

The unique street system has been considered a model for a planned residential community. Mrs. Kelly has been considered very progressive in her development of the city by requiring the use of brick, stone, or masonry for all homes. She also required attached garages that were considered very unique because at that time homes either did not have garages, or had them placed to the back of the garden as most builders considered garages to by eyesores! Creative builders even added interesting touches like twisting staircases, and decks built onto the roof of homes.

There is little expansion here, little in the way of population change, which suits everyone just fine. Homes, when they do go on sale, tend to be priced higher than comparable homes in other metro-Detroit cities - but then prospective owners also know what they are buying - solid homes, safe neighborhood, excellent schools - private and public, and peace of mind. The average three bedroom home with two baths sitting on a half acre will set you back abut $300,000. Larger homes will sell for even more, up to $750,000 for the older, larger homes.

All the homes are brick, all of them are spacious and all additions have to honor the tradition of the town. There are few fences, and all homes are set well back from the roads, which are quiet. There are no homes on the main streets, in this case Greenfield, and Evergreen, those areas are reserved for stores, and businesses. The homes are deliberately set away in quiet pools of grass.

This area is a Mecca for artists, and once inside homes, it is not unusual to see how creative the members of this community are, from Tom Roy, a mural artist to Barb, a cartoonist. Many professionals make their home in Lathrup, but this truly is a village that draws entrepreneurs.

Location is ideal too, just off the I696 and minutes from the Southfield freeway, and close to !75, Lathrup Village is a central place. Plenty of shopping centers and grocery stores surround Lathrup too, giving residents instant access to anything they need.

The City of Lathrup Village combines an historic past with a dynamic present. With amenities readily available, a large library and town center with a pool just a couple of miles away, several city parks with walking trails, dog areas and play areas, Lathrup offers the finest in recreation. Lathrup Village has its own "Children's Park" designed specifically for the residents of the area.

How can a city be a village, or a village a city? At its incorporation the citizens wanted to keep Lathrup a village-type community when they decided to become independent and incorporate as a city. Also, to avoid mailing confusion with "Lathrop, Michigan" the city was incorporated as "City of Lathrup Village."

No matter whether you see this as a city, or a village, Lathrup Village has long been known in the metro-Detroit area as one of the premier places to live.