Saint Clair Shores, MI

Settled by the French in the early 18th century, the city of Saint Clair Shores was originally called Lanse Creuse, and was a stop on the interurban railroad that ran from Detroit to Mount Clemens in the north. Many of Detroit's earliest movers and shakers kept summer homes on the lake shore. With the advent of the automobile industry, the area became a residential neighborhood for blue-collar and middle-class workers and remains so today. The village of Saint Clair Shores was officially incorporated as a city in its own right in 1951.

The city is well known for its "Nautical Mile," a mile-long length of Jefferson Avenue that contains the marina, restaurants and boat shops and marks the starting point of the annual Memorial Day Parade. Make sure to stop by the Selinsky-Greenhouse Farmhouse Museum, located across the street from the Civic Center and Public Library for more history on the neighborhood.

Saint Clair Shores offers a multitude of options to locals looking for a bite to eat. Find these restaurants centered around the major thoroughfares in the area: Jefferson, Greater Mack and Harper Avenues. Treat yourself to authentic Middle Eastern dishes at Cedar Garden, located in the heart of Saint Clair Shores, or try an original slider hamburger at Travis Restaurant a little further down Greater Mack Avenue.

The locals rave about The Current. This restaurant on the waterfront has a great selection of local beers. The menu includes a good selection of entrées, with the majority of them featuring seafood. Listen to some live music while enjoying a Mediterranean burger with some coconut shrimp. Follow it with a crème brulee for dessert.

A Saint Clair Shores tradition, The Shores Inn has been serving locals delicious meals and beer on tap for generations. Settle in to watch the game with a plate of lake perch and fries, or opt for the 12-ounce rib-eye cooked to your liking. Wash it all down with one of over 150 beers from around the world served by a friendly staff of bartenders. The Inn hosts special events every night of the week, from Ladies Night to Industry Night, where drinks cost only half if you show proof of bar industry employment.

Spend the day on the water in the sun, and then dock your boat at Brownies on the Lake for dinner, drinks and entertainment. Located right on the lake, Brownies serves up fresh seafood platters and menu items that range from ribs and chicken to steak and pasta. Start off with a roasted lobster bisque soup before feasting on truffled lobster risotto with carrots, shallots and green onions. Finish your dinner with a slice of Italian lemon cake, a raved-about house specialty. The banquet hall can be reserved for holiday parties, weddings and other celebrations, but be advised, as the restaurant and lounge does close for the months of January through March.

Nightlife in Saint Clair Shores ranges from corner taverns, such as Colleen's Irish Pub on Harper Avenue, where you can always meet your friends in a laid-back atmosphere, to the lively Fishbones Rhythm Cafe, where NOLA cooking meets northern attitude and the beer flows freely. Local bands can often be seen here, and a shuttle takes ticketed guests downtown to Detroit Tigers games free of charge.

For a family-friendly evening, take the kids to Lakeshore Lanes on Jefferson Avenue. A local, family-owned favorite, the alley features an alcohol-free bar and snack foods, such as nachos and hot dogs. Come early, because wait times for open lanes can run hours long at this small alley.

Most residents travel the area by car, with traffic being minimal due to the residential nature of Saint Clair Shores. Because each neighborhood features sidewalks and crosswalks, you'll find traveling on foot or by bike relatively easy and enjoyable. Parking in lots and along streets remains free of charge throughout the city.

SMART, Southeastern Michigan's public transportation service provides several fixed-route stops in St. Clair Shores, and many residents choose to commute downtown from several handy pickups along Jefferson Avenue. Multiple cab companies service the area, but you'll have to call ahead to arrange a ride. Uber ride-sharing offers convenient pickup as well.

Saint Clair Shores sits less than a mile from I-94, making access to Detroit extremely easy, and a connection to I-696 provides quick travel to Lansing.

With a location so close to the lake, there's no shortage of waterfront parks and recreational activities in Saint Clair Shores. Park passes are available to residents for $7 per person and $10 per couple, and children enter free with an adult.

Residents flock to Blossom Heath Park and Pier for its beach, boat launch, picnic pavilion and beautiful walkway along the water. The original site of the Jefferson Amusement Park, Blossom Heath features picnic tables and barbecues for a perfect afternoon lunch, and you'll also find a playground for your kids.

Veteran's Memorial Park features a running path for the fitness-minded and a splash pad for the little ones. You'll also find clean restrooms here as well. The park plays host to the annual Lac Du Saint Clair Arts Festival each September and offers a Concerts in the Park series every Wednesday night through the summer.

Spend a day with your dog at Maloof Statler Dog Park. For a fee of $30 a year, you can unleash your pets and let them roam and make new friends in one of two areas based on size. You'll find picnic tables and overhead shelters placed for the two-legged set.

If you're looking to beat the heat, head on over to the Civic Center Pool, located directly behind the library. Passes for a family of four cost $75 with individual passes costing $30 per adult and $25 for seniors.

The cost of living in Saint Clair Shores runs 6 percent lower than both the state average and the city of Detroit average. Gasoline sits at a delightful 18 percent less than the national average. A one-way fare on SMART costs you $2, with fares an affordable $1 for children up to 18 and 50 cents for seniors over the age of 65.

Expect to pay about $570 for a typical one-bedroom apartment, and a beer at your local bar sets you back between $3 and $5 depending on the label.

With its 97 percent residential neighborhood makeup, Saint Clair Shores does not have a major shopping center outside of its downtown area, and most residents head 2 miles West toward Macomb Mall in neighboring Roseville to shop at big department stores including Sears and Kohls. The area is not without its fun shops and interesting stores, however.

Residents love visiting The Whistle Stop Hobby and Toy Shop on Harper Avenue. As the name suggests, the store features a wide variety of model train offerings, from tracks to engines and landscapes. You'll even be able to watch a running model train setup. The store has everything to entertain everyone from babies to game-playing grandparents. Take the employees up on the free gift-wrapping service if you're in a hurry.

Spend a fun hour in the pink-sided cottage that contains Kitty Deluxe, a Saint Clair Shores specialty shop that features handmade accessories from coin purses and handbags to scarves and jewelry. The only cat you'll meet inside would be Cat, the shop owner.

Locals can get their every day groceries Kroger.