Northwest Warren - Warren, MI Area Guide

Originally known as BeeBee's Corners, the City of Warren was settled in 1830. Charles Groesbeck was first to settle here and was soon followed by his brothers. The area officially became the village of Warren in 1893 after an influx of German, French and Belgain settlers. Both The Great Depression and WWII resulted in a massive boom in Warren's population with the building of the Tank Arsenal in the village and the construction of the General Motors Tech Center, both of which remain in the city. A need for housing to keep up with employment growth led to the rapid construction of suburbs, and the village became a city in 1956. Learn more about the area's automotive history at the General Motors Heritage Center.

Northwest Warren and neighboring Madison Heights provide a wealth of dining opportunities for residents looking for a quick bite or a memorable meal. Start your day by filling up with breakfast favorites at The Chocolate Gallery Cafe. Open Thursday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch, this restaurant provides friendly service and an array of delectable food. Try the berry pancakes or French toast, or go vegan with vegetables Benedict. Your coffee cup never seems to empty at this pleasant little cafe with great service. For a taste trip south of the border, hit up Pilar's Tamales located on Mound Road. The authentic Salvadoran kitchen serves up made-to-order tamales and pupusas. If you can't make up your mind, go for the Perfect Pair special that includes one of each with sauce, a side of plantains and casamiento. When you don't feel like dining out, call ahead, place your carry-out order and bring the feast home. Sushi lovers in Northwest Warren need look no further than Sushi Bon on E. 12 Mile Road. Order the salmon mania featuring a salmon roll, spicy salmon roll and three pieces of salmon nigiri. Diners love the cozy atmosphere of this restaurant, which also provides traditional hot plates for the less adventurous in your group. Find a bar or two to pass the time, or spend a fun night out in Northwest Warren. Vivio's Food and Spirits is a hopping local hangout. Stop in early on weekend evenings to watch the game and chat with neighbors over mixed drinks or beer. Later in the evening, this bar heats up with live bands and dancing, and locals say the staff provides the friendliest service in town. For something a little different, check out Kuhnhenn's Brewing Company on Chicago Road. This brewpub crafts its own beers and serves everything from light Oatmeal Stout to hearty Olde Village stock ale. The pub also serves root beer for your designated driver. You won't find much to eat here, but food trucks often stop by.

The majority of the residents in Northwest Warren use a car to get around, and many locations are within a convenient distance from home. Interstate 696 borders the city, making it easy to connect to I-94 for those who work in downtown Detroit. Free parking is plentiful, and many businesses provide ample parking spaces for employees. The neighborhoods in Northwest Warren have sidewalks for easy walkability, but bicyclists should take care due to lack of designated bike lanes; the major thoroughfares sometimes get congested. Taxi companies provide service to residents, but you have to call ahead and request it. Uber is also an option. Southeast Michigan's SMART bus is a reliable way to get around Warren and Macomb County and travel into downtown Detroit, with stops on 12 Mile, Chicago Road, Mound Road and Van Dyke Avenue. This service also provides door-to-door transportation to the sick and elderly via its Connector buses.

The city has 24 parks, nine of them located in Northwest Warren. Situated in the suburban neighborhoods, some parks have soccer fields and baseball diamonds, and many offer pavilion rentals for hosting parties. Neighborhood parks, including Eckstein Park and Halmich Park, are free for resident use from dusk until dark. Grab your skates in the winter and head to the Civic Center for ice skating, or throw on a swimsuit and splash with the kids at the Warren Community Center's indoor pool and water park. If you want to spend the day with your pooch, head to the Anna Fracassa Memorial Dog Park. The entrance fees is $10, and you must have proof of vaccination. The city of Warren puts on several festivals and fun events throughout the year. Enjoy the tree lighting ceremony at city hall during the holiday season and the annual Spring Carnival that welcomes warmer weather.

The cost of living in Northwest Warren rests at just about 3 percent less than the Michigan average and 9 percent higher than Detroit. A one-bedroom residence rents for an average of $678 a month, and a one-way ride on SMART costs $2, with reduced fares for seniors, the disabled and children. The Connector ride costs $4 with a reservation. Fill up your gas tank for 18 percent less than the national average, and toast your friends with a pint of beer that costs between 3 and 5 dollars depending on the pub.

Well-served by a variety of big name, big box stores, the residents of Warren don't have to travel far for clothing or other necessities. Kmart, Walmart and Target stores are all located in the area. Local women head to Exelnt Designs on 13 Mile Road to purchase swimsuits made to order. Specializing in hard-to-fit sizes, the shop also has ready-made swimsuits and staff on hand to help. Wile away an afternoon or two at Comics and More just short distance away in neighboring Madison Heights. This fun store stocks comics for people of every age, with the "more" referring to its amazing collection of trading cards and action figures. Most residents shop for groceries at Meijer or Kroger, but you can also go to Produce Palace International, which sells fresh deli meats, vegetables and fruits. The city of Warren hosts two Farmers Markets from July through October every year. Pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers grown by your neighbors, and browse handcrafted items and other interesting objects at the vendor stalls.