Native SE Michigander here....General rule of thumb, stay west of 275, and north of I94. For the most part, all of the neighborhoods mentioned here are livable with a few stand outs. I'm in Novi, and will probably will be until I leave Michigan. It's 30-35 minutes from parking lot to parking lot typically depending on which part of orange barrel season we're in (a Detroit phenominon - read road construction that never really improves anything). PM me if you'd like, I have an in with a great apartment community in Novi that would probably leap at the opportunity to rent en mass to airline types, usually starting around 650 for a two bedroom in a great location. And yes, there actually is great night life, food and recreation in Novi.....