Best Master-Planned Communities in Detroit: Detroit Planned Neighborhood Guide
Detroit Best Neighborhoods

As Michigan's largest city, Detroit's metro area is home to over four million people. Detroit has long been recognized by its nickname "Motor City" in acknowledgment of its ties to the American automobile.

Automobile manufacturing has brought many jobs to the area and has helped establish some of the city's earliest neighborhoods. The industry continues to leave its mark on Detroit and its surrounding communities today. Detroit is also considered a regional culture hub, giving rise to the Motown sound, which continues to impact the music industry.

Living in a master-planned community within commuting distance of Detroit offers residents the best of both worlds. Those moving to the area and interested in this lifestyle should consider the following five areas and their amenities.

The Hamlet

The Hamlet Amenities

  • Parks, trails, and tennis courts
  • Clubhouse
  • Golf nearby
  • Woodlands

The Hamlet is an upscale, master-planned community in Wayne County within the township of Canton. It is located off Proctor Road, between Ridge Road and Denton Road. In addition to The Hamlet neighborhood, it includes Manors at The Hamlet, The Hamlet Meadows, Hamlet Pointe, The Hamlet Enclaves, The Hamlet Gardens, and The Villas at Hamlet condominiums.

Canton is the state's second-largest township. The commute between The Hamlet and Detroit is about 35 miles, while the community is about 13 miles from Ann Arbor. The neighborhood's location makes it appealing to residents who commute to either metro. Additionally, those looking to live outside the city but still have ready access to urban centers also find the community appealing.

The Hamlet features a clubhouse, parks, lighted tennis courts, and walking trails. The Hamlet is considered very walkable, with sidewalks found throughout the community. Golf courses, additional parks, and healthcare providers are nearby. The Hamlet is adjacent to the expansive Independence Park, offering green space, soccer fields, walking paths, woodlands, and a playground. Restaurants and shopping are available in the adjacent Cherry Hill Village.

The Hamlet Hotspots

The Hamlet Shopping

The Hamlet Restaurants

Newport Estates

Newport Estates Amenities

  • Creek
  • Playground
  • Parks nearby

Newport Estates is a 187-residence planned community. It is located about 30 miles from Detroit and about 10 miles north of Monroe in the unincorporated community of Newport in southeast Michigan. The Newport community is within the southwest portion of Berlin Charter Township.

The nearby city of Monroe is recognized as one of the state's most historic communities, which features the River Raisin and empties into Lake Erie. Monroe is known for its River Raisin Jazz Festival, which attracts over 40,000 annually.

Newport Estates contains newer homes that range from 1,500 to about 2,100 square feet. The community is recognized as Monroe County's most successful development.

In addition to the playground located within the Newport Estates community, there are two parks located within about two miles of the neighborhood.

Newport Estates Hotspots

Newport Estates Cafés

Newport Estates Restaurants

Stony Creek Ridge

Stony Creek Ridge Amenities

  • Clubhouse
  • Swimming pool
  • Tennis courts
  • Playground
  • Golf

Stony Creek Ridge is a residential community located about 30 miles north of Detroit in Rochester. The community offers residents a number of amenities, including a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis courts, and a children's play area.

The community consists of two unique neighborhoods. The Meadows is known for the natural beauty of its surrounding landscape, while The Ravines offers estate-size lots to accommodate expansive, custom-built homes. Both neighborhoods offer a peaceful setting for their residents.

Spanning 4,000 acres, Stony Creek Metropark lies just north of the community. The park includes two recreational lakes for boating and fishing, the Stony Creek Metropark Golf Course, and miles of multi-use trails.

Just minutes from the Stony Creek Ridge community, downtown Rochester offers a wide selection of dining and boutique shopping options.

Ford Land

Ford Land Amenities

  • Shopping
  • Golf
  • Restaurants
  • Museums
  • Parks nearby

Ford Land is a 2,360-acre, master-planned commercial community adjacent to residential, recreational, and hospitality properties. It spans the downtown districts of Dearborn and Allen Park. The community offers proximity to Detroit Metro Airport, downtown Detroit, and major highways. Ford Land's history traces back to Henry Ford II's vision to develop the land surrounding Ford Motor Company's World Headquarters into a mixed-use, master-planned community named Fairlane.

From causal to four-star establishments, Ford Land offers visitors plenty of dining options. Several golf courses add to available recreational opportunities. At the same time, arts and culture offerings include some of the area's leading tourist destinations, including the Henry Ford Museum, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, and The Henry Ford Historic Greenfield Village.

Ford Land features a multitude of retailers, including those in the adjacent downtown districts. Additionally, the community features Fairlane Town Center, an established indoor shopping mall offering 125 retailers and restaurants and a cinema.

Ford Land is also home to two major medical facilities. Nearby institutions of higher education include the University of Michigan-Dearborn and Henry Ford College.

Reserves of Auburn Hills

Reserves of Auburn Hills Amenities

  • Golf
  • Trails
  • Nature preserve
  • Game court

The Reserves of Auburn Hills is a condominium community within the Auburn Hills residential area, located just outside the city of Rochester and about 30 miles northwest of Detroit. The Reserves of Auburn Hills is a 55-and-over community, offering ranch and 1.5-story floor plans.

The community features several walking trails within a four-acre nature preserve, in addition to a community-accessible pond, a game court, and a gazebo. The community's location provides ready access to Interstate Highway 75 and Michigan State Highway 59.

The Reserves at Auburn Hills also provides easy access to restaurants and retail at nearby Rochester and its surrounding area, including the shops at the Village of Rochester. Recreational opportunities abound at nearby Paint Creek Trail or Stony Creek Metropark. The community is close to top-ranked golfing and live performances at the Meadowbrook Theater.

Reserves of Auburn Hills Hotspots

Discover Detroit's Best Master-Planned Communities

Planned communities near the Detroit metro area offer residents easy access to all the amenities a large urban area has to offer while providing a small-community feel for those who call them home. Many offer their own slate of amenities, including parks, walking trails, retail, and restaurants. As master-planned communities, they often offer walkable neighborhoods with common areas and community landscaping.

Detroit itself is recognized as a significant regional cultural center. The city is known for its many contributions to the music industry around the world and is a major source for art, culture, design, and architecture.

Posted by Michael Perna on
Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.