Why Milford for Generation “Y”?

I’ve been reading a lot lately about the tastes and preferences of the so-call Gen “Y”, Aka the Millennials. Many articles contain the same characteristics of what they are looking for when they are looking for a new home:

1.    Something smaller and less pretentious – Gen “Y-ers” are not your typical McMansion buyer.
2.    Green, energy efficient homes, whether through design or updates.
3.    Homes with some character – older, small homes, like bungalows
4.    Homes in walkable areas – they would prefer to be able to  walk to the restaurant or store
5.    Areas that are culturally diverse and/or which offer a rich cultural environment
6.    Areas with things going on – availability of both indoor and outdoor activities
7.    Areas with a friendly and welcoming sense of neighborhood
8.    Areas with strong local commitment to giving back

As I thought about it, it became clear that the Village of Milford meets most of those needs. We certainly have our share of McMansions, although most are around the periphery of the Village and most are not really on small lots. While many of the available houses in the Village were built years ago, most have been updated with newer windows and insulation. Most of the smaller and much more affordable homes in the Village were built in the 50’s and 60’s. The small homes built in the 50’s and 60’s almost all have hardwood floors and there are plaster walls and coved ceilings in the 50’s built houses. Most of these homes are in the 900 – 1,100 Sq Ft range, with three bedrooms. Some have finished basements and many, but not all have detached garages. It’s also nice that, if you live within the Village; you will be on city water and septic, both owned and operated by the Village

The Village of Milford is one of the most walkable towns in the area. You can check that out at www.walkability.com. Milford has some of the best area restaurants and a downtown that still has stores where you can buy things that you really need and not just antiques or knick-knacks. The sidewalk system in the Village encourages walking and for many events, especially those held downtown or in Central Park, most people actually walk to them. There are three major parades a year that Villagers can walk downtown to see, as well as several minor parades( the little leagues parade of teams and the homecoming parade to name two)and events that close off Main Street – the biggie is our Milford Memories Street Fair in August every year.

The Village is more culturally diverse than most people realize and offers art, music and other cultural programs through groups like the Township Parks and Rec board, the Huron Valley Council for the Arts, the Village Fine Arts Association and the Milford Historical Society. There are concert series and artists showing going on every month. In the summer there are concerts in Central Park and 2-3 movies in the park, too, for the kids. We even have a great little movie house, right here in the Village.

Indoor and outdoor activities are abundant with organizations like Kensington Metro Park, The Carl’s Family YMCA, the Milford Library and Huron Valley Adult Education and Recreation offering activities throughout the year. Go to my web site www.movetiomilford.com for a complete rundown on all of the activities and events in the area.

There are parks to visit (one with a huge play structure) and waterfalls to see. There’s a historic Powerhouse to see and visit that was designed by Albert Khan and a home in the Village that was owned and lived in by a Hollywood and TV actress (Mary Jackson, one of the Baldwin sisters on the Walton’s Mountain TV show). There’s a river that runs through it with active canoe and kayaking groups and bike trails that run all the way out to Kensington Metropark. There are mountain biking trails nearby and an active mountain bike club. There’s even an annual Crit held in Milford for those into bicycle racing.

Finally there’s the sense of neighborhood that is unavoidable in the Village. People identify with their own sub or neighborhood, but everybody in the Village identifies with being a Milfordite. Milford is a place that people are proud to invite their friends and family to visit. Every year in September the Historical Society conducts the Milford Home Tour so that 4-5 Milford homeowners can share their homes with the world.

Milford also has many very active local groups and clubs dedicating themselves to giving back to the community and to the area at large. The Milford Chamber of Commerce is one of the strongest and most active in this part of Michigan and is a key player, along with the Milford Rotary Club, in the push to build an amphitheater in Central Park as a new venue for concerts and other activities. The HVCC is also the presenter of Milford Memories and the annual Christmas Parade (one of the three big parades). The Downtown Merchants Association sponsors several shopping oriented events during the year, including two “Ladies Night Out” events.

The Carl’s Family YMCA has programs for all ages and runs summer outdoor activities for children, too. The Huron Valley School District has the Adult Education and Recreation program which runs year around programs for the whole family. The local VFW post is quite active and is the presenter of the annual Memorial Day Parade (another of the three big parades). The Milford Historical Society runs the Milford Historical Museum on Commerce Rd (just a block from downtown) and is the presenter of the final of the big three parades – the 4^th of July Parade. There’s also a strong Optimist Club in the area, as well as a KofC club, a Zonta chapter and the Milford Garden Club. Finally, there’s a strong base of churches in the community, with 6 right in the Village and more just outside. There are always church-sponsored events going on or events by other groups being held at the churches.

One of the primary local charities – Community Sharing – offers unique services and food help to area residents who are in need and well as running the states only pet food pantry to provide for the pets of family who may not be able to afford to feed them right now. People in the Village of Milford also strongly support Meals On Wheels and the Special Olympics (Milford has its own team that competes in SO events).

When I sum all of that up, I can honestly ask - why would you not want to live in such a great community?