95,208
Population
Sunny Days: 180
95100 Affordability
90100 Schools
60100 Diversity
100100 Safety
Living in Livonia, Michigan
L-Town
Aerial of Livonia, MI
Hill House at Greenmead Historic Park
Motor City Irish Festival
Livonia Spree Celebration
LookyLOO Review of Living in Livonia
Livonia is a large, well-established suburb on Detroit’s west side that combines a long-term history of middle-class auto workers and professionals with suburban convenience. It’s a city that has kept a steady population for decades, thanks to its safe neighborhoods and reputable schools. The location is also valued as it makes commuting to Detroit, Ann Arbor, or other Metro Detroit job centers straightforward.
It’s not flashy; Livonia’s appeal is in its consistency. Streets are tidy, parks are well-kept, and the retail corridors have everything from national chains to local diners. The city’s investment in public amenities, particularly recreation centers and the parks system, has helped it maintain its reputation as one of Metro Detroit’s most livable and family-friendly communities.
Lifestyle in Livonia
Livonia offers a calm, suburban pace of life. Most of the city is residential, with single-family homes and green space woven throughout. The city maintains over 60 parks and recreation areas, including the expansive Rotary Park and Bicentennial Park.
Shopping and dining are easy to come by, with big-box stores along Plymouth Road and Middlebelt Road and locally owned restaurants scattered across the city. Livonia doesn’t have a major downtown, although there are development plans, but its community events, from summer concerts to seasonal festivals, give residents ways to connect.
To see what locals do for fun, check out the Livonia Calendar of Events.
We highly recommend visiting Livonia and staying in the community at a VRBO instead of a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can also receive discounted fares on travel through our partnership with Expedia.
Worklife in Livonia
L-Town
Many locals commute to work in Detroit, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, or other parts of Metro Detroit, but Livonia has its own employment base in education, healthcare, light manufacturing, and logistics. [St. Mary Mercy Hospital](Worklife in Livonia) and Schoolcraft College are two of the largest local employers.
Proximity to I-96, I-275, and I-696 makes it a practical home base for those with multi-directional commutes. For remote workers, Livonia offers suburban space and affordability while still being near major urban centers for client meetings or events.
Schools in Livonia
Livonia is served primarily by [Livonia Public Schools](https://www.livoniapublicschools.org/) (LPS), which has a strong reputation in Metro Detroit for academic performance and extracurricular offerings. The district includes three high schools (Franklin, Churchill, and Stevenson), all of which have received state recognition for academics and athletics.
Reviews of Living in Livonia, MI from Locals
L-Town
ghostrunneron1
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉
After thinking about this I would probably split Livonia in thirds. I live in South Livonia near Hines Park and would consider anything south of I-96 as “South Livonia.” Most of the houses are post war ranches on suburban 60’x120’ lots. I would consider this the “working class” area of Livonia. While not everyone wakes up and heads to “Fords” as in years past, there are many teachers, nurses, and professional blue collar employees in the area. Old Rosedale Gardens between Hubbard and Merriman is one of the exceptions in South Livonia. These are older houses of varying types with more professionals than some of the other neighborhoods.
North of 96 and West of Merriman is probably considered the “core” of Livonia. There are a mix of housing styles with the newer neighborhoods north of 6 mile. The residential lots are typically larger than South Livonia and you will find traditional Colonial houses, larger ranches, and whatever style you call homes built in the 90’s and 00’s. Most of Livonia’s swim clubs are in this area and the members like to let you know why their club is superior to other clubs.
North of 96 and East of Merriman features older housing stock with varying lot sizes. There is a similarity between South Livonia and this area as far as incomes, but I would say the houses are probably larger in average square footage. This area also includes the Clarenceville school district which is a separate district from Livonia Public Schools.
My casual observations of Livonia are that it’s truly a sundown town. The parks and affordability keep our family here. Do I wish there were a walkable social area, absolutely! I would also like to see way more diversity.
I suggest taking a peek at the Livonia Master Vision 21. It’s the newest iteration of Livonia’s Master Plan adopted a few years ago. It outlines the need for more density but I have yet to see any. It also lays out the groundwork for some areas of walkability. I still haven’t seen any development. The Nimby activism is strong in Livonia.
For more reviews of what living in Livonia is like from locals, check out The Reviews. https://lookyloomove.com/locations/livonia/reviews
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Living in Livonia
Neighborhoods in Livonia
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Old Rosedale Gardens Neighborhood
Long-time residents, families, empty nesters
The Vibe: A charming, older neighborhood with brick colonial and Tudor-style homes dating back to the 1920s–1940s. Tree-lined streets, walkable blocks, and a close-knit community make it one of Livonia’s most beloved areas. The annual neighborhood yard sale and community events keep the social fabric strong.
Zoned Schools:
Median Home Price: ~$270,000.
Similar Neighborhoods:
- Royal Oak (MI)
- Berkley (MI)