4 March. 2007 | The Free Press

WHERE WE LIVE: WALLED LAKE, OAKLAND COUNTY

By Brendel Hightower, Free Press staff writer

APPEAL: Walled Lake is a waterfront community along the northern shore of the lake with the same name. The M-5 connector has given a lot more visibility to this bustling city that has several condominium projects, infill building and an updated downtown.

Walled Lake offers a variety of housing options for all price ranges and styles of homes and condos, says Mary Rettig from Century 21 Today in Farmington Hills.

There are small homes built for seasonal use from the early- to mid-20th Century that have been converted for year-round use next to one-of-a-kind houses, many on small lots, around the lake. Houses in residential areas are mostly being improved or expanded since the city is pretty much built out, says City Planning Consultant Seth Shpargel from McKenna Associates in Northville.

Walled Lake continues to grow and enhance its retail atmosphere, Rettig says. There are two distinct business districts. One is a small downtown along the waterfront with historic buildings offering unique shops and old-fashioned lights in a pedestrian-oriented environment. The other business district near Pontiac Trail and Maple Road consists of strip malls and newer commercial buildings.

Two prominent projects off Maple Road and Pontiac Trail are live-work developments, Shpargel says.

FACTS: This 2.9-square-mile community was incorporated as a city in 1954. Walled Lake is less than a mile from M-5 and about three miles from I-96. The city is about 40 minutes from downtown Detroit. Visit www.walledlake.com.

PREVALENT ARCHITECTURE: Homes range from small cottages to ranches built during the 1950s and 1960s along with colonials and 1 1/2 -story houses built in the 1990s. Condominiums and apartments are also available. Last year, houses sold from near $105,000 to $415,000, according to multiple listing services.

POPULATION: 6,713 in the 2000 U.S. Census; about 95% white, 2% Asian, 2% Hispanic, 1% black. The population increased 7% between 1990 and 2000.

EDUCATION: Math and reading MEAP scores for the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools run about 14% above state averages.

TAXES: $40.28 per $1,000 of a property's taxable value in the Walled Lake district. A $171,000 (average price) house with a taxable value of $85,500 would have annual property taxes of $3,443.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Senior transportation or rides for disabled residents are handled through White Lake Township until the end of March, 248-698-3994. The Walled Lake Transportation Program, which will be open to all residents, will begin later this month, 248-624-4847.

PUBLIC SAFETY: Walled Lake police reported 16 burglaries, 14 vehicle thefts, six cases of criminal sexual conduct, two robberies and no homicides in 2006.

SHOPPING, DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT: Some shopping and dining are available in the community with much more in nearby Novi and Farmington Hills.

Walled Lake has five parks that include play structures, paved nature trails, ponds, basketball and tennis courts, sand volleyball and a public beach.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS: American Plastic Toys, Berkfield Home, Husky Envelope Products, Matrix Automotive Finishes, Fastdecks.

WHY I LIVE HERE: Jeff Eason, 41, has lived in Walled Lake for about 23 years. Eason has lived with his wife Renee, 34, in their current house for eight years. They have a daughter, Alex, 3. "We live in a house that is 10 doors from where my wife grew up," Jeff Eason says. He described Walled Lake as a small community where people have rooted themselves, especially on his street where people have lived in the same house for 30 to 45 years. "We are close to everything; it's convenient because the M-5 connector makes it very easy to get places," he says. "It's a great area, plus we have the lake. We love it here. It's where my family will retire."

Contact BRENDEL HIGHTOWER at 313-222-8776 or bhightower@freepress.com.