Oakland Township

Residents of Oakland gather the city benefits of Rochester while maintaining a close-knit community inside lavish homes. “Oakland is a little bit of country. It’s more of a small-town community,” says Realtor of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Key Realty Holly Hohnholt, who has 43 years of experience in the Oakland/Rochester area. “They have bigger lots and acreage, dirt roads, traffic isn’t that busy. It’s close to downtown. It’s a very clean, very nice area, kind of like a picture book.”
Oakland homes will be more on the elegant and grander side. You’ll spot houses that are given picturesque exteriors through their neatly trimmed hedges and well-cared-for lawns. The neighborhood comes with newly constructed subdivisions and recently remodeled homes. These subdivisions carry varying property types, whether they are condos or standard detached homes. However, the independent properties come with an eclectic mixture of architectural styles. You’ll find mansion-like houses that are new traditional style with Tudor roofs or contemporary custom-builds. There are occasional raised ranches and some castle-like structures. Interior spaces, on average, come at around 3,000 square feet. This includes four bedrooms and multi-car attached garages. Prices range from $800,000 to $1.1 million.
Thanks to the acres of nearby recreation, there are plenty of opportunities to get some fresh air. “Oakland Township is beautiful to drive through. They have a lot of parks with water,” Hohnholt says. “You can take the boat. There are trails and bike paths which can take you to Rochester. There’s a lot of trails, hiking and biking, which makes it more desirable. There are parks everywhere.” If you’re around the northeast of the area, you’ll love the 120 acres of land at Charles Ilsley Park. This area is ideal for a casual hike, taking your horse out for a bit of riding, or cross-country skiing. Enjoy some lake activities of fishing, boating and kayaking within the East and West Graham Lake. Surrounding these lakes is the Graham Lakes Trail, which is an adventurous four-mile looped trail. Golf enthusiasts will be thrilled to have access to five different golf courses. Wyndgate Country Club is labeled as the most challenging course for its hilly topography.
Students in Oakland will primarily attend the top-rated Rochester Community School District, which carries an A-plus Niche grade. Baldwin Elementary School is an option for grades kindergarten through fifth grade. This school has an A grade on Niche. Afterward, they can attend grades six through eight at Van Hoosen Middle School. This school is ungraded on Niche but rated 9-out-of-10 on Great Schools. This school has 11 clubs and activities for students to participate in. Lastly, students can earn their diplomas from Rochester Adams High School, which has an A-plus Niche grade. Students can enroll in over 20 AP courses and earn dual credit from nearby Oakland University and Oakland Community College.
You’ll find all the shopping and dining a few miles south on Adams Road and Rochester Road. La Collina Ristorante Italiano sits in a plaza on Rochester Road. Enjoy a special date night or family dinner while savoring decadent Italian staples. If you want to cook some Italian on your own, you can find a Papa Joe’s grocer in that same plaza. If you’re near the neighborhood's western side, head down Adams Road. That’s when you’ll pick up the University Square Shopping Mall, which carries a Busch’s Fresh Food Market and Trader Joe’s. Then, across from that plaza sits the Village of Rochester Hills Shopping Mall. This outdoor shopping center carries several popular clothing brands like Athleta and Lululemon.
Oakland snuggles around Routes 24, 150, and 53. These three routes can connect you to major Interstates 69 and 75. From Interstate 75, you’re only about 35 miles from Detroit. Then, Interstate 69 can get you to Lansing and Grand Rapids. “It’s a close-knit area," says Hohnholt. "I’ve been here 40-something years, and everywhere you go, people know your name.” These redeeming qualities make Oakland a desirable choice of living.

Written By

Courtney Murphy

Photography Contributed By

JC Knopf

Video By

Stewart Taveras