Rochester

I have lived in Rochester for three years (since 2011) after moving out of Royal Oak and it's quickly become my personal favorite. The best way to describe Rochester is "laid back". The people are a little bit of a more mature crowd but the center of town is still very vibrant and can even get fairly busy sometimes, though traffic is usually mild.

The first thing worth noting is that it's a practically crime-less area. It's quiet and people in the neighborhood generally look out for each other. There isn't really anything to worry about when it comes to safety and the police have a clear presence in the community. The parks are well-maintained and the residential streets are in about as good of shape as you'll find in Michigan.

If I had a bone to pick with Rochester, it would be for three things. Firstly, Rochester Road can get fairly congested. That traffic tends to stay in the main corridor though. It's a long commute to pretty much anywhere, let alone to my workplace in Wayne County. Thirdly, the area is a bit conservative for my tastes, but I'm sure there are plenty of people who would prefer that over a similar more liberal area like Ferndale.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Rochester to anyone who doesn't mind living a bit out of the inner circle. The housing is diverse which means there's practically a section of town for anyone's tastes.

To break down my scores:
Neighborly spirit - My neighbors have always been very friendly and we all generally know eachother
Clean & green - People take good care of their houses and their yards and there's very little litter
Peace & quiet - If you want to live somewhere with a lot of noise, go somewhere else.
Nightlife - The selection of bars is fairly slim
Shopping options - There are plenty of nice shops in the downtown area
Internet Access - Most providers are available
Parking - Occasionally a bit tough but there are plenty of spots
Resale/Rental value - Home values are very stable and have gone up quite a bit since I moved in
Medical Facilities - Crittenton Hospital is just a short distance outside of downtown
Childcare - Not an expert on the subject but there doesn't seem to be any issues
Safe & Sound - If you buy a house without a deadbolt don't even bother to get one, you're good to go
Pest free - The bee population is a bit high but no issues with rats/rodents
Eating out - Food lovers look no further. Plenty of restaurants with diverse cuisine
Parks & rec - The parks are very clean and well maintained (and large!!)
Gym & Fitness - The only good gym nearby is in Rochester Hills
Lack of traffic - Rochester Road can sometimes be packed, otherwise it's fine.
Cost of living - It's a fairly expensive area
Public transport - There is none.
Schools - From what I know there are no major issues in the school district