Farmington Hills, Michigan, is an prosperous suburb on the northwestern facet of the Detroit metro space.
Close by Farmington suits in like a puzzle piece forming a sq. set of cities, it’s nonetheless a separate police division and management.
For the needs of this text, we’ll discuss each.
Farmington Hills is understood for the biggest Holocaust Museum in Michigan, a somber area filled with reveals and an everlasting flame memorial.
It’s additionally a group recognized for secure streets, inexperienced areas, and suburban novelties.
Corporations like The Sharper Picture and Mercedes-Benz Monetary Companies have headquarters right here.
Whereas it’s undoubtedly not one of many extra strong communities for guests, there are many motels within the metropolis, with dozens extra on its perimeter.
Simply to the north, there are greater than 24 lakes that dot the West Bloomfield panorama.
Whereas Farmington Hills and Farmington seem to be they’re a world away from Detroit, the drive downtown takes simply 20 minutes (with out site visitors) and 40 minutes to Ann Arbor and the College of Michigan’s chant “Let’s Go Blue!”
Warnings & Risks in Farmington Hills
OVERALL RISK : LOW
The town has a low threat with below-average crime charges throughout the board. In reality, you are a good 10 miles from any a part of city thought-about probably the most harmful in Detroit.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW
Good Bus is the transportation system for the cities out of Detroit. The system would not take you into Detroit, and Detroit’s DDOT service would not go into the suburbs. Taxis and rideshares are broadly obtainable, whereas rental automobiles might be discovered on the airport, and several other rental automotive companies are in Farmington Hills.
PICKPOCKETS RISK : LOW
The danger is low, with only one pickpocket report in 2021. Automobile burglaries are a much bigger concern, with 46% of all thefts being automotive break-ins or automotive accent thefts.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW
Winters might be brutal with bitterly chilly temperatures and common winter storms. Heat climate brings extreme thunderstorms and twister dangers. Costic Exercise Middle is commonly used as a security, warming, or cooling heart throughout excessive climate.
MUGGING RISK : LOW
12 robberies have been reported in 2021, with simply two of these being person-to-person, which is a low threat for a vacationer. When you cross into Detroit, you need to assume that threat skyrockets.
TERRORISM RISK : MEDIUM
Detroit has a storied historical past of terrorism makes an attempt, together with the Detroit Sleeper Cell allegedly planning an assault on Disneyland and the “Underwear Bomber,” who tried to blow a Detroit-bound aircraft out of the sky. In 2022, an infusion of funding was introduced in Farmington Hills to assist defend homes of worship, with a rising concern about religion-based assaults. Deal with it with a medium threat, however use that consciousness for vigilance, not worry.
SCAMS RISK : LOW
The danger of a rip-off in opposition to vacationers is low because of this being a primarily residential space. The Michigan Division of Legal professional Common has an amazing checklist of frequent and newly developed scams on its web site, in addition to a spot the place you may report fraud makes an attempt.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW
There aren’t too many locations within the Detroit space the place the danger is low, however Farmington Hills is one among them. Examine the security rankings of different cities or sections of Detroit earlier than you get lost from this secure place.
TAP WATER RISK : LOW
The 2021 Water High quality Report reveals full compliance and no violations. The water utility asks individuals to not flush tissues, hand wipes, or private hygiene merchandise in the bathroom to maintain the water system functioning easily.
Most secure Locations to Go to in Farmington Hills
Michigan.org is the official “Pure Michigan®” web site for the state, with a (small) part devoted to Farmington Hills.
For the needs of this text, we’re going to incorporate Farmington and Farmington Hills since they’re pieced collectively like a puzzle.
DowntownFarmington.org presents particulars of occasions and gathering spots within the heart of the cities.
The Farmington Hills and Farmington separate metropolis web sites additionally embody points of interest and actions guides up to date a number of instances a yr.
The Zekelman Holocaust Middle is what attracts most individuals to Farmington Hills.
This museum doesn’t gloss over any a part of the preamble to the Holocaust, the atrocities inside.
Nonetheless, it does tie it along with hope for a greater future and the way every particular person can forestall one other tragedy like this.
Displays embody:
- The timeline of occasions resulting in the Holocaust
- The timeline of Hitler’s life and eventual demise
- How the Nazi Camps have been run
- A boxcar that transported victims through the Holocaust
- The aftermath and trials following the Holocaust
- The everlasting flame for all of the victims, some names recognized and others who perished in anonymity however aren’t forgotten.
On-line reveals can assist you be taught extra about what to anticipate and assist kids perceive this main devastation in human historical past.
Rotating reveals are held all year long.
The museum is open day by day however Saturday, on Jewish holidays and legally designated American holidays.
Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills is enjoyable and considerably freaky, with coin-operated machines from totally different ears and a few distinctive designs by the founder.
It’s like being within the film Beetlejuice with a facet of an arcade on steroids.
Admission is free, however cash are used to play the video games, and a change machine is on the market.
“It’s a sensory overload,” says proprietor Jeremy Yagoda, one of many museum house owners.
“You can’t see it .”
Yagoda encourages you to search for, down, and in between machines to soak in each area with distinct shows.
Farmington Hills additionally has a number of parks price exploring, from minimalist trails to sports activities parks to playgrounds and splash pads.
- Woodland Hills Nature Park: Primary nature park with plant and wildlife viewing by woods, ponds, and open areas.
- Heritage Park: Mountaineering trails, splash pad, and archery vary.
- Farmington Hills Nature Middle: This features a 2300-square-foot indoor facility with reveals.
The town web site’s Play, Discover, Be taught part accommodates a full checklist of parks and actions.
In Farmington, the Governor Warner Museum Gardens is open seasonally, with a mansion, carriage home, and gardens obtainable for strolling excursions.
Downtown Farmington is a mixture of historic buildings and trendy attraction, with meals, buying, leisure, and native occasions all year long.
The older buildings that also stand have been robust sufficient to face up to a devastating hearth in 1872.
Whereas a tragedy, it’s additionally a part of historical past that makes the old-vs-new environment thrive in 2023 and past.
Shiawasee Park in Farmington runs alongside a creek with loads of outside area to loosen up and revel in and is usually a good spot for snowshoeing or cross-country snowboarding within the winter.
These communities additionally provide a number of golf programs open to the general public and ice skating rinks open all year long.
Locations to Keep away from in Farmington Hills
Each Farmington and Farmington Hills are ranked among the many greatest cities and college programs in Michigan, which suggests it’s a secure place to go to with a deep group dedication to security and actions.
You gained’t discover a unhealthy neighborhood right here.
As idyllic as Farmington Hills seems, there are accusations of racist undertones in the neighborhood, with an investigation about why African People are stopped by police greater than Caucasians.
Whereas it’s not a subject that may affect a go to, it’s price noting the group is delicate and speaks out about injustices throughout a time of nice advances in combating systemic racism in America.
Keep away from the hookah lounges as they’ve been a sizzling mattress for crime – not less than by Farmington Hills requirements.
All of the outside parks and trails are fantastic locations to go to, be warned that through the summer time, mosquitos can vary from annoying to intense.
That you must put on bug spray with DEET and re-apply it usually.
The humidity of this area could cause you to sweat quite a bit, so convey further water and electrolytes to gasoline your outside journey.
Security Suggestions for Touring to Farmington Hills
- Farmington and Farmington Hills every have their very own police power. It’s vital to know which metropolis you might be in when you need assistance from the police. Comply with them on Fb @Farmington-Hills-Police-Division and @FarmingtonPublic Security. It could additionally make sense to comply with Livonia Police Division as that’s a metropolis bordering every on the south. You may also learn our article “How Secure is Livonia for Journey?”.
- Each police departments provide real-time crime mapping searches, so you may see crime traits nearer to the time you go to. For instance, you may need to know what number of automotive break-ins occurred inside a mile of your chosen resort over the previous six months or what number of robberies occurred previously month close to your restaurant of selection.
- For some cause, the 2 cities use totally different apps to ship emergency notifications. Farmington Hills has FH Alert, the place you may join by the division’s web site. Farmington presents updates by Nixle, a preferred notification system that additionally immediately reviews info to the media. You’re going to get real-time info as an alternative of ready for native information alerts.
- Examine every metropolis’s web site for building initiatives and street closures when you’re visiting from spring by fall. The brutal winters and freeze/thaw cycles of early spring go away main potholes or torn-up roads. You may also report issues you come throughout by the separate metropolis web sites.
- Each cities provide free parking with cut-off dates in some spots. Yep, even downtown Farmington presents free on-street parking, a novelty amongst American cities. Because you’re not having to feed a meter, use that point to take away all private belongings from plain sight and lock the automotive doorways whereas confirming the home windows are absolutely rolled up. Even a small crack within the window could make for a simple goal.
- Farmington Hills added a license plate reader system in late 2022. This implies your license plate will probably be recorded as you drive round, but it surely’s just for crime-solving causes. For instance, in case your automotive is stolen, the cameras can assist find it because it strikes by town. About 20 different legislation enforcement companies in Detroit use the identical know-how with the objective of lowering crime all through the metro space.
- Farmington has a Vimeo account with some nice native details about occasions and town parks. Parking info and police engagement are additionally included. Farmington Hills has a YouTube channel @FarmingtonHillsMichigan with month-to-month updates known as “Farmington Hills in Focus.”
- There are a handful of locations to fish in Farmington Hills, together with the favored Founders Fishing Pier. Anglers should comply with the foundations and seasonal restrictions as discovered within the Michigan Fishing Information from the Division of Pure Sources.
- Winter friends, hear up! Native roads in Farmington Hills will solely be plowed if greater than 4 inches of snow falls. You possibly can observe the snow plows in actual time by town’s web site. Whereas there at the moment are snow parking bans, you need to at all times take away your car off the road throughout snow occasions to keep away from being sideswiped by a plow or having one other automotive hit it.
- Hashish customers ought to evaluation the “Hashish Trade Info Gathering & Public Outreach” part of town’s web site to see the newest info on this robust subject. As of late 2022, town was holding group conversations to determine the way it will interpret state legal guidelines permitting leisure and medical marijuana.
So… How Secure Is Farmington Hills Actually?
Farmington Hills and Farmington every have extremely low crime charges; from there, the danger of a vacationer or stranger being a sufferer is exponentially decrease.
50% of violent crimes in Farmington Hills occur in non-public properties.
Simply 30% occur in opposition to strangers.
The one drawback in Farmington Hills is that crime charges are going within the mistaken route.
2021 introduced the very best violent crime fee since 2011.
That quantity is fueled by elevated aggravated assaults, as homicides, robberies, and sexual assaults are about common, wanting again over 10 years of information.
The town hasn’t seen greater than two homicides in a yr since 2012, with 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2020 having no homicides.
The crime issues in Farmington Hills heart primarily round hookah lounges, a few of which haven’t even utilized for the required enterprise license.
“Now we have 4 hookah lounges, and three of them have had important violent legal actions at their location,” Police Chief Jeff King stated.
“This has included gunshots, shootings, people shot, people stabbed, and varied different crimes.”
Efforts are being made to deal with every elevated crime space, together with insurance policies to permit police to shut down companies after violence and maintain enterprise house owners extra accountable for his or her actions or lack of response.
Farmington Hills police are additionally engaged in Venture Safer Streets, meant to forestall crime earlier than it occurs and educate juveniles on crime dangers whereas offering safer alternate options.
The police division can be working with a bunch of group members to assist construct higher conversations and incentives to cut back crime.
“We would like individuals to have faith that the police will reply.
They are going to deal with you with dignity and respect, and that’s one of many causes I’m on this committee,” resident T.R. Carr stated.
Let the police and group determine that out whereas serving to report something suspicious throughout your keep.
Farmington Hills and Farmington are nonetheless two very secure locations to remain within the Detroit Metro space, which faces surging crime charges on a a lot bigger stage.
How Does Farmington Hills Evaluate?
Helpful Info
- Visas – The U.S. State Division points Visa or Visa Waivers to all worldwide vacationers. Begin the method early and use the Visa Wizard module on the web site to get began down the proper path. Carry your passport and Visa with you on the aircraft or as you cross over from the Canadian border, and be affected person with the method.
- Foreign money – The U.S. Greenback would be the solely foreign money you need to use wherever in America. Alternate foreign money at residence to keep away from paying larger charges stateside.
- Climate – The Detroit space will get very distinct seasons, with winter being painfully chilly, snowy, and icy typically. Whereas residents listed below are used to it, guests from hotter climates may discover it downright jarring. Spring and fall is usually a curler coaster of temperatures, so simply pack layers of clothes. Summers will probably be delicate to sizzling, with excessive humidity requiring bug spray and sunscreen. Pack breathable, loose-fitting materials. Carry good strolling sneakers for all these trails.
- Airports – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is a 28-mile drive on a significant interstate, so plan for wherever from half-hour to an hour to get there, relying on site visitors. Use the Mi Drive web site or app to identify site visitors troubles, building initiatives, or accidents alongside the best way.
- Journey Insurance coverage – Journey insurance coverage is most precious if you buy it if you e book your journey. It goes into impact instantly, permitting for an escape hatch if an emergency cancels your journey. Additionally, with the extreme climate of Michigan, you need to by no means assume you will not face delays or cancellations simply because there is a main airport close by.
Click here to get an offer for travel insurance
Farmington Hills Climate Averages (Temperatures)
-5° C
-4° C
2° C
8° C
15° C
20° C
22° C
21° C
18° C
11° C
4° C
-2° C
Common Excessive/Low Temperature
Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | Could | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Excessive °C |
-1 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 16 | 9 | 2 |
Low °C |
-9 | -9 | -4 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 5 | -1 | -5 |
Excessive °F |
30 | 34 | 45 | 57 | 70 | 79 | 82 | 81 | 75 | 61 | 48 | 36 |
Low °F |
16 | 16 | 25 | 36 | 46 | 57 | 61 | 59 | 52 | 41 | 30 | 23 |