Novi, MI

The city of Novi started growing significantly in 1959. Ten years later, Novi had officially grown from a village to a city. Upon this transition, citizens voted to form the city's first commission.

Novi is a diverse community, with a large population of Indian and South Asian inhabitants. This led to the development of the Sri Venkateswara Temple and Cultural Center.

In Novi, you also find the Motorsports Hall of Fame, home to more than 40 elite performing vehicles. The museum has an ever-changing collection that includes Indy cars, stock cars and racing snowmobiles, to name a few. This museum offers an excellent representation of the Motor City.

Every year, the Suburban Collection Showplace on Grand River Avenue hosts the Great Lakes Art Fair, featuring the art and craftsmanship of locals.

If you want to provoke your elegant indulgences, go to Novi Chophouse , where the ambiance is fancifully mysterious and the food is delectable. Pair your steak and lobster with the highly acclaimed creamed spinach or gruyere mac and cheese. The restaurant also has a lengthy wine list to accent your meal of choice.

Novi is known for its slew of ethic eateries, one of the most beloved being Indo Fusion . The authentic restaurant is particularly known for its Goan food, derived from a Portuguese colony in India. All of Goan dishes prove to be extremely popular. Even the decor makes you feel as though you are on the beaches of Goa.

Novi nightlife overflows with action. Locals frequent 29 Park , located on Main Street. The trendy-chic club features a DJ, dress code, full bar and VIP lounge. If you prefer a modern atmosphere and love to dance, this is the place to be. Locals also adore Stayin Alive, a club that allows you to dance back into time with '70s, '80s and '90s music. The funky decor adds the perfect touches to this unique place.

An automobile ranks as the number one method for residents to travel in Novi, with most parking being free.

Ride SMART, the city's bus transportation system can get you around Novi, as well as to other Metro Detroit cities. The fare ranges from $1 to $4 for ages 6 through 18, $2 to $4 for ages 19 to 64, and 50 cents to $1 for seniors 65 or older.

Cab rides are available by calling and scheduling pick up. Lyft and Uber are viable options if you prefer. The famed Twelve Oaks Mall and various clubs/restaurants provide free parking for customers.

Depending on where you live in Novi, walking is an option in warmer weather. Locals do walk during the summer months if they live relatively close to their destination. Novi is an eco-friendly neighborhood, so you can expect to see bikers on the roads. In fact, the city of Novi has pedestrian and biking facilities in progress that stretch for 225 miles.

Novi has three major parks. Lakeshore Park, the largest, provides a 10-mile bike trail, a beach on Walled Lake and jungle gyms for kids. The park was designed to give visitors that "Up North" feeling without having to travel all the way "up North." The park operates with a full staff available Memorial through Labor Day. It is free for Novi residents and only $5 for non-residents. Residents are also fond of Novi City Parks & Recreation, located on West 10 Mile Road. This park remains open to the public from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00p.m.

Paradise Park operates all year and hosts a number of events, including holiday and birthday parties. The park even caters to corporate and non-profit occasions. It houses an indoor facility with arcade games, go karts and laser tag for reasonable prices. The outdoor accommodations include cozy picnic gazebos. The park can provide a full menu for your gathering, while the cost varies based on what you need for your event. The park accepts business from non-residents, and the hours vary by season.

The cost of living in Novi is 18.7 percent greater than the Michigan average and 37 percent more expensive than living in Detroit. The average cost for renting a one-bedroom apartment is $900 per month. You can find apartments above and below this price based on your needs.

The average cost for a beer at a pub ranges from $2 to $5. Most bars do host happy hours, though, bringing prices down even further. The Library Sports Pub & Grill runs a different happy hour special daily. For instance, on Thursdays you can order a domestic beer on tap for $2.50.

The average price for regular gas in Novi is just a bit lower than the national average.

Twelve Oaks Mall is the largest, most popular mall in the area. It is two levels and contains nearly 200 stores. The Novi Town Center remains a busy spot, too. This strip mall consists of both high- and low-end stores as well as coffee shops and restaurants. They even offer horse-drawn carriage rides during the holiday season.

Locals love Posh Boutique , which carries women's clothing and accessories, including scarves and jewelry. Clothes Mentor is also a big hit. It is a resale store where women can find fashionable clothing at reasonable prices.

Grocery stores in the area include Kroger and Busch's Fresh Food Market. You can also find One World Market, which is a Japanese grocery store. The Civic Center Campus holds a local farmer's market every Saturday.