Rochester Hills, Michigan occupies the northeast corner of Oakland County, Michigan. Named for its rolling hills, Rochester Hills officially became a city in 1984, and in its approximately 30 years of existence, it has become a prosperous and attractive suburb of Detroit.

The city’s modern roots date back to 1850, as Rochester Hills’ three sources of water power – the Clinton River, Stony Creek, and Paint Creek – allowed for the creation of mills used to make clothing, food, and materials for homes. While the majority of the structures from this era no longer exist, they provided the blueprint for what Rochester Hills – once part of Avon Township – would become: a healthy community in which families could work, play, and live.

Many of the oldest and grandest houses in Rochester Hills are in and around Stoney Creek, one of the oldest subdivisions in the city. Since Rochester Hills’ founding, over 400 subdivisions now contain houses of all kinds, from ’50s-style bungalows to ’60s ranches to ’90s colonials to the most contemporary styles. If you’re in the market for a starter home, a home for your new or growing family, a home for housing or entertaining family, or a home to serve as your empty nest, you’ll find it in Rochester Hills.

No matter what home you choose, you’ll be near downtown Rochester, Michigan, officially billed “a perfect mix of historic and hip.” Home to more than 350 shops, salons, restaurants, and professional services, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon strolling through a park or an evening laughing with friends. You’ll find a farmer’s market every Saturday through summer and into fall, along with concerts and movie nights in scattered locations throughout downtown.

Rochester Hills is part of both the Rochester Community Schools District and the Avondale School District (shared with Auburn Hills and Troy). Rochester Community Schools sports 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 4 high schools. Both Rochester Adams and Rochester High School have regularly appeared on US News and World Report’s “Best High Schools” list; they have both received the coveted “Silver” ranking from the publication. Rochester Hills is also a home to Oakland University and is the only major research university in Oakland County.

When they’re not working or playing, Rochester Hills’ residents may be found, among other places, in one of the city’s parks. Spencer Park features a swimming beach, ice skating, and fishing; Bloomer Park has a sledding hill and a velodrome; and Borden Park sports fields and courts for baseball, tennis, basketball, and roller hockey. The 8.9-mile Paint Creek Trail, formerly part of the Penn Central Railroad, runs through Rochester Hills; the trail receives over 100,000 visitors every year who may be training for a triathlon or simply taking their babies for a stroll.

Rochester Hills, Michigan also can claim to have housed or schooled an unusually high amount of celebrities and athletes: Peter Vanderkaay graduated from Rochester Adams in 2002 and won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics…Jason Varitek, a World Series champion and former captain of the Boston Red Sox, was born in Rochester Hills…best-selling novelist Elmore Leonard has lived in Rochester Hills…and Madonna grew up in Rochester Hills and graduated from Rochester Adams High School.