$411,172Average Value$152Average Price per Sq Ft17Homes For Sale
History, culture, community and pride
“There is no neighborhood like University District,” says Miranda Morrow, a University District resident and realtor with National Realty Centers. “Even if I wanted to live in Palmer Woods or Sherwood, I’d choose University District all over again.”
Earning its name from the University of Detroit Mercy to its south, University District is a longstanding, close-knit community that has always been considered one of Detroit’s most affluent areas. “It’s just prestigious,” says Morrow. “You have the doctors, lawyers, school teachers, police and fire, entrepreneurs.”
While surrounding communities, like Palmer Woods and Sherwood Forest, are just as well-off, Morrow says this neighborhood stands out for one reason. “Everyone is together, there’s a strong sense of community,” she says. “When you’re walking down the street, everyone speaks to everyone. Everyone looks out for everyone.”
William Adams, a lifelong Detroit resident and owner of Adams Realty says University District’s know-your-neighbor charm leaves a lasting impression. “To this day, my family and I still talk about living on Parkside,” he says. “You just know your neighbors. I could look out of my window in the morning when I was getting ready for school and could see that the Ashcraft’s had their lights on and were getting ready, too.”
With fine architecture, a close-knit community, proximity to the Avenue of Fashion and two major greenspaces, University District is highly sought after.
Unique, longstanding homes
A mix of Tudor, Colonial Revival and Victorian Revival homes line the quiet, well-kept roads of University District. “No two homes are the same,” says Morrow. “It’s glorifying to see the uniqueness.”
Almost every home was built in the 1920s and 1930s, an era that’s often referred to as the “golden age of housing.” Masterful masonry, carpentry and metalworking show the level of pride and craftsmanship that went into curating these long-standing residences. Small group guided tours throughout the neighborhood are hosted to showcase the charm and unique architecture of these homes.
Houses are about 1.5 times the national average at 3,100 square feet. Lots are generally less than a quarter acre and are narrow and long, providing front and backyard space for kids to play. Long paved driveways lead to detached garages for off-street parking. Michigan basements are the standard and provide extra space for every need.
Home prices depend on size, the year built, and the level of renovations but generally hover between $175,000 for a four-bedroom that needs some love and $600,000 for a move-in-ready five-bedroom.
There are no HOAs, but residents can opt into a neighborhood membership that covers snow removal, community landscaping, various events and discounts to local merchants. The membership costs about $125 per year.
Historic brick homes in the University District are well-kept.
A winding pathway leads to this gorgeous Tudor Revival home in the University District.
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Livernois Avenue of Fashion
The Livernois Avenue of Fashion borders this neighborhood to the west and features a slew of small, locally owned shops. Noni’s Sherwood Grille is a local favorite with an eclectic menu and laid-back setting. Trap Vegan is known for having a broad range of vegan-friendly American pub fare including their famous truffle fries. For grocery needs, Savon Super Market and Mike’s Fresh Market are within walking distance. Woodward and 8 Mile is about 3 miles north of the University District and features stores like Meijer, Marshall’s and Five Below.
Noni's Sherwood Grill is a few blocks from the University District and serves fresh menu items.
Mike's Fresh Market offers fresh produce and meats to University District residents.
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Palmer Park and Detroit Golf Club
Palmer Park offers year-round recreation just a short walk from University District. For over 100 years, the 296-acre greenspace has been the go-to for family reunions, barbeques and special events. Stretching oak and beech trees surround the park’s nature trail, providing a green retreat at the center of the city. On warm weekends, laughter fills the air while kids burn off steam at the playgrounds and splash pad. People for Palmer Park hosts several events throughout the year, including the famous People for Palmer Park Harvest Festival, which has face painting, hayrides, a farmers’ market and a petting zoo.
The Detroit Golf Club sits between the University District and Palmer Park and is the most prominent golf club in the city. With two 18-hole Donald Ross-designed courses and a historic clubhouse, members have a variety of recreation to choose from. The Detroit Golf Club is also home to the famous Rocket Mortgage Classic. The PGA Tour tournament is the first of its kind in Detroit and draws thousands of visitors to the golf club every summer. While they don’t have to deal with as much noise as their neighbors in the Detroit Golf neighborhood, residents in University District sometimes opt to turn their homes into short-term rentals during the tournament to escape the crowds.
Palmer Park's green spaces include community gardens for University District residents.
The historic Detroit Golf Club neighbors the University District neighborhood.
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Moving around University District
This neighborhood is walkable with paved sidewalks, a compact design and proximity to public transit. Buses running along Livernois, 7 Mile and McNichols make it easy to get around the city. While it’s not necessary to down a car in the University District, most residents own at least one. Highways are far enough away that they don’t cause noise pollution, but close enough that they are immediately accessible. Interstate 75 is about 3 miles east while The Lodge is 3 miles west. However, unless they’re commuting to a surrounding suburb, most residents get around by taking main roads like Woodward, Livernois and 8 Mile.
Nearby public and private schools
The nearest public schools include Palmer Park Preparatory Academy, which serves pre-k through eighth graders and has a C-minus rating on Niche. Mumford High School has a C and teaches ninth through twelfth graders and is mostly known for its boy's wrestling team.
Some people opt for private schools, including Gesu Catholic School, which has not been rated on Niche and serves pre-k through eighth graders. The University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy is an all-boys option with an A rating and is known for having 39 sports teams.
Palmer Park Preparatory Academy is the area's public pre-K, Elementary, and Middle School in Detroit.
The University of Detroit Mercy football and track fields are in Detroit.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in University District, Detroit sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in University District, Detroit over the last 12 months is $430,000, up 26% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
