Flat Rock started out in 1811 as the Village of Vreeland, named after the Vreeland family who owned extensive tracts of land in the area. The city gained its current name from the Flat Rock Speedway, which is not actually located in Flat Rock, but can be found about a mile and a quarter to the southwest in nearby Berlin Charter Township, a village to the south of Flat Rock, in neighboring Monroe County.
Flat Rock is in Wayne County, Michigan, with a small part of the city within MonroeCounty as well. It has a population of 9,773, estimated by the American Community Survey in 2012. The population is fairly young with an average age of 37. The city is dominated by the Ford Motor Company's Flat Rock Assembly Plant, which produces Ford's Mustang and Fusion automobiles. Property values have increased substantially recently, and are expected to continue rising in the foreseeable future.
Moving to Flat Rock
The City of Flat Rock website at flatrockmi.org has a PDF document available for free download, which is aimed at new residents. It lists the locations and contact numbers of all city offices, the various recreational and community centers, and all the other important buildings, amenities, contacts and resources.
While values for homes and monthly rental housing in Flat Rock are close to the US average, homeowner costs, due to having a mortgage can be slightly higher than the US average.
If you plan to rent a family house, condo or studio apartment before actually buying a property, expect the rental company to perform a credit history check and an employment record check. You will always be able to leverage the best rental deals if your credit history is sound and strong.
Prepare for renting an apartment in plenty of time. Give yourself at least six months, if possible. Last minute decisions made in haste can often be expensive mistakes. Take time to weigh all the possibilities. Talk it over with the family and be sure to consider all your options before taking the final plunge. That way, you are much more likely to make a good, solid decision that will work out best for everyone concerned.
Flat Rock Neighborhoods
At 10 miles south of Taylor and 20 miles southwest of Detroit, Flat Rock is well placed. It is quiet enough to be almost rural, but close enough to two large cities to take advantage of all the benefits they can offer. A main railway line runs through the city to Detroit, and all points in between.
Flat RockCityCenter: The city center is in the western part of the city. This is where most of the municipal and government buildings can be found, as well as shops, restaurants, pharmacies, stores and other amenities.
Flat RockTowers: This is a small community lying adjacent to, and west of, the city center. The community is centered around the six-storey Co-op Apartments building, which gives the area its name.
Deerfield Estates: This is a community located near the northern border of the city. Deerfield Estates is a spacious planned settlement with an emphasis on quality and easy living. The main commercial area of the city center, where shops, pharmacies, churches and schools can be found, is less than a mile and a half away to the south, down Telegraph Road.
Detention Pond: This neighborhood is in the south section of the city. It is a small community featuring some very attractive homes. This neighborhood is close to all main amenities.
Falkirk: A larger neighborhood that is also in the south section of Flat Rock. It features some large and spacious family homes, as well as condos and 3 bedroom apartments. The main amenities of the city lie less than a mile away to the west.
Living in Flat Rock
Flat Rock's residents tend to walk or take the car to wherever they want to go within the city. There are a number of bars and restaurants, for example, to try out along Telegraph Road, one of the main thoroughfares of the city. The longest you are likely to have to walk is about two miles in a city area that covers just 6.67 square miles. The city has several pleasant green parks to relax in, such as HurocPark and CommunityPark. The latter also has a popular ice skating rink.
