Moving to Royal Oak: Pros, Cons & What to Know
Moving to Royal Oak means moving to Metro Detroit's genuinely walkable downtown-and-nightlife Oakland County suburb -- a real Main Street/Washington Avenue commercial corridor paired with the physical Detroit Zoo and a nationally-ranked hospital.
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Learn moreA genuinely walkable, nightlife-rich downtown
Downtown Royal Oak's Main Street/Washington Avenue corridor and the Royal Oak Social District -- one of Metro Detroit's largest -- anchor a real, nationally-known nightlife and restaurant-district reputation, including Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle and the historic Royal Oak Music Theatre.
The real, physical Detroit Zoo sits within city limits
Royal Oak is home to the Detroit Zoo -- 125 acres housing more than 2,600 animals -- a genuine family-attraction anchor distinct from the city's nightlife identity.
A nationally-ranked, physically local hospital
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital has operated at its current Royal Oak location since 1955, ranks #2 in Michigan per US News, and is the city's largest employer.
No city income tax simplifies the tax picture
Royal Oak does not appear on the Michigan Department of Treasury's own official list of the 24 Michigan cities that levy a local income tax -- movers pay only Michigan's flat 4.25% state rate.
Key takeaways
- Royal Oak's genuinely walkable downtown and nightlife district are a real, distinct draw versus more purely residential Oakland County suburbs.
- The real, physical Detroit Zoo and a nationally-ranked hospital (Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital) both sit within city limits.
- Royal Oak levies no city income tax -- only Michigan's flat 4.25% state rate applies, confirmed against the state's own official list.
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