Plymouth, Michigan, is an active and down-to-earth community located in Wayne County approximately 25 miles from Detroit. Located near the intersection of major interstate roads I-275 and I-96, Plymouth is conveniently situated within the region and has much to offer on its own, including a vibrant downtown, a variety of housing options, and award-winning schools. In 2009, Money Magazine ranked Plymouth as one of the 100 best places to live in America.
Named for some local settlers who came from Plymouth, Massachusetts around its settlement in the 1820s, Plymouth began as a rail stop and comprised what is now Plymouth, Canton, and Northville before coming apart in 1898. In the 100+ years since, Plymouth has become a very livable and very likable suburb of Detroit.
Housing choices throughout Plymouth are varied, ranging from 3-bedroom ranches built in the housing boom of the 1950s and 1960s to new, high-end 4-bedroom homes built in the 2000s. The southwest end typically has the larger and newer homes between 2,500 and 3,000 square feet. Some houses near downtown Plymouth are both historic and high-end. On the whole, neighborhoods are tree-filled, well-kept, and suburban.
Economic activity, like in much of the region, has a base in the auto industry in companies such as Freundenberg NOK and TRAM. Western Plymouth features many industrial parks. Nearby Ann Arbor is a hotbed of economic activity, including the ever-growing University of Michigan.
Families raising kids in Plymouth will send them to one of the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. The district is unique in that its three high schools – colloquially known as “The Park” – operate a joint academic and extracurricular programs, giving students a wide variety of educational options. All three high schools rank above the state averages in key metrics, including college readiness, math, and reading.
Away from schools, one of Plymouth’s attractions is its classic downtown, with two story buildings, street parking, and local-only establishments. The Downtown Development Authority keeps downtown humming, administering events like the Music In The Air concert series; a tree lighting; the Plymouth Ice Festival, which is attended by about 500,000 people every year; Art In The Park, Michigan’s second largest art fair; and the Fall Festival, which hosts vendors, rides, and attractions. There’s a farmer’s market during the warm months, coffee shops to dip into during cold months, a conference center/wedding hall, and various other boutiques and restaurants catering to every taste.
Recreation and staying active are hallmarks of Plymouth life. The Plymouth Township Park is an 80-acre park featuring a playscape, four baseball diamonds, a walking trail, and sledding hills. Other parks feature soccer fields, volleyball parks, and picnic grounds. The Plymouth Ice Arena has an NHL-size ice sheet and is available for hockey and open skating. The community center offers the typical slate of activities, including pilates, yoga, belly dancing, and adult softball. Plymouth is home to the Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League; the team has seen over 50 NHL players wear its uniform.
City officials state that Plymouth “will continue to be as successful in the future as it has been in the past.” Consider being a part of that successful future!