Seniors Are Treated Royally In Royal Oak

Royal Oak, Michigan is one fine town. I asked Google to give me the ten most popular small towns in the country and Royal Oaks in Oakland County was one of them. For senior visitors the locals enjoy repeating…”Royal Oak is the place to come to, not pass through on your way to somewhere else.”

Royal Oak is only 12 miles northwest of Detroit and the inhabitants are said to be in the Detroit metropolitan area. The city, with a population of just over 60,000, was initially incorporated as a village in the year 1891, and as a city in 1921. The name of the city originated in 1819 from one of Territorial Governor Lewis Cass’ land surveying expeditions.

Royal Oak has maintained the appeal of a small town, while affording many of the amenities of a large metropolis. Because of its respect for diversity, the city’s composition is truly eclectic. The population represents a diverse mix of individuals, age groups, incomes, and myriad of residential home styles.

Royal Oak underwent much timbering in its early days to make way for growth and progress, but proper vision and planning have preserved its tree-covered landscape.

 Seniors Find Apples, Pumpkins and Farmer’s Markets

Senior visitors will find plenty to see and to do due to the proximity of Detroit with live music, farmer’s markets, hiking trails as well as apple and pumpkin farms. You will find Royal Oak to be a very walkable city. The downtown area is about one mile long and Main Street and Washington Street are the preferred downtown areas for taking a stroll.

Six art galleries offer an eclectic variety of work and include some interesting themes. For you gourmets and gourmands, over  50 restaurants offer a great variety from fast food, to sushi and ethnic cuisines.

 A multitude of flora paints Royal Oak’s landscape and explains why the city is often called the “City of Trees”. Accounts by early Royal Oak residents describe the area as covered with enormous oak, beech, maple, basswood, linden, elm, hickory, tulip, black and white ash, black walnut and butternut trees.

In 1936, the “City of Trees” committee was organized to study suitable tree types and promote their planting throughout the city. In 1938, the committee obtained 60 acorns that were direct descendants of the Royal Oak Tree in England, from which the City of Royal Oak derived its name.

The city requires no introduction to the Detroit metropolitan area. Conveniently located near several major thoroughfares, Royal Oak’s location is prime. Plan to spend some time in Royal Oak on your next trip to Michigan.  The folks in town await your visit. jeb