Living in Rochester Hills, Michigan: A Guide to Upscale Suburban Life

Rochester Hills is one of the most requested cities I hear from buyers relocating to northern Oakland County, and for good reason. It combines well-kept neighborhoods, a sought-after school district, a university, and a trail system that connects you to the rest of the area. Here is a local guide to living in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

Rochester Hills at a Glance

Rochester Hills is a city of about 76,000 people (2020 Census) covering roughly 33 square miles, about 25 miles north of downtown Detroit. It was formerly Avon Township and became the City of Rochester Hills in 1984. It borders Troy to the south, Auburn Hills to the west, Oakland Township to the north, and Shelby Township in Macomb County to the east. It is a separate city from the smaller City of Rochester, which sits right in the middle of it, though the two share a lot of daily life.

Schools: Rochester Community Schools

For most families, schools are the number one reason they look here. Rochester Community Schools serves most of Rochester Hills and is the district most of my Rochester Hills buyers ask for. Its three high schools are Rochester Adams, Rochester High, and Stoney Creek High. The district also serves the City of Rochester, most of Oakland Township, and small portions of neighboring communities.

Some parts of Rochester Hills fall within the Avondale School District instead. Because the district line runs through the city, two homes a few streets apart can be in different districts. If you have your heart set on Rochester Community Schools, tell me up front and I will confirm the district on every home before we tour it.

Oakland University and Meadow Brook Hall

Oakland University sits on the city's border with Auburn Hills and brings concerts, sports, continuing education, and a steady base of faculty and staff who live nearby. Rochester Hills is also home to Rochester Christian University.

On the Oakland University grounds you will find Meadow Brook Hall, the 110-room Tudor Revival estate built from 1926 to 1929 by Matilda Dodge Wilson and her husband, Alfred Wilson. At about 88,000 square feet, it is one of the largest historic house museums in the country, and it was named a National Historic Landmark in 2012.

Parks and Trails

• Clinton River Trail. A 16-mile rail-trail that runs through Rochester Hills, Rochester, Auburn Hills, and Pontiac. It is part of Michigan's Iron Belle Trail and connects to the Macomb Orchard Trail to the east.
• Paint Creek Trail. Michigan's first rail-trail, running 8.9 miles from Rochester north through Rochester Hills and Oakland Township to Lake Orion.
• Innovation Hills. A 110-acre city park with ponds, boardwalks, a kayak launch, lighted paths, and a fully inclusive, accessible playground.
• Stony Creek Metropark. Just northeast of the city, this 4,461-acre park has a roughly 500-acre lake, a 6-mile paved loop, about 30 miles of trails, beaches, and an 18-hole golf course.

Homes in Rochester Hills

• Established subdivisions with colonials, ranches, and tri-levels on mature lots
• Newer construction and luxury neighborhoods, including estate-size homes
• Condominiums and attached homes for downsizers and first-time buyers

Because school district, neighborhood, and lot size swing prices so much here, I keep current listings, recent sales, and median prices on my Rochester Hills neighborhood page instead of quoting numbers that go out of date.

Who Moves to Rochester Hills

• Families with school-age children focused on Rochester Community Schools
• Professionals working in the Auburn Hills, Troy, and Detroit corridor
• Move-up buyers from neighboring suburbs who want more space and amenities
• Out-of-state relocators, including many tied to the auto industry

Is Rochester Hills Right for You?

If schools, parks, and an easy connection to the region's job centers are at the top of your list, Rochester Hills deserves a close look. The most important step is confirming the school district for each home, and that is the first thing I check for every buyer.

More Rochester Hills Guides

• Best Areas to Live in Rochester Hills
• Best Real Estate Agents in Rochester Hills
• Moving to Rochester, Michigan
• Rochester Hills Homes for Sale and Neighborhood Overview
• Why Luxury Relocation to Oakland County Is a Strategic Move