Assisted Living and Memory Care in Royal Oaks Michigan, Chester Street Residence

Royal Oak, Michigan is conveniently located in Southeastern Michigan in Oakland County. The city of Royal Oak was developed as a suburb of Detroit in the early 20th century. This was when Detroit was quickly growing because of industrialization and the flourishing automobile industry. The big city of Detroit is close enough for quick day trips for fun, events, and entertainment without the need for a daily commute for anything essential. Royal Oak is big enough to have it all and small enough to be cozy and comfortable. You get close-knit neighborhoods, and you are close to everything when you live in Royal Oak MI.

History of Royal Oak Michigan

Royal Oak was once home to farms, agriculture, fields, and farmers who built houses and planted crops. When the railroad came, it created other industries such as logging and milling. Royal Oak was founded by Lewis Cass, former territorial governor, during one of his land surveying expeditions. When it was discovered in 1891, Royal Oak was incorporated as a village, and it was not until 1921 that it earned the city status. Royal Oak has a small population of only 58,823 people and a total area of 11.79 square miles of land.

Fun Facts About Royal Oak

• Royal Oak received its name during the land surveying expedition. In 1819, Governor Lewis Cass and his team explored the area, of what would become Royal Oak, to prove that the land was more than an inhabitable swamp. They discovered a large oak tree with a trunk much wider than most other oaks near the intersections of Crooks, Rochester and Main. This large tree reminded then Governor Cass of the legend of the royal oak tree where King Charles II of England was taking sanctuary from enemy forces in 1660. The team later christened the tree, the “Royal Oak” and this area received its name.

• Orson Starr migrated from New York and was the area’s first manufacturer and became popular for making cowbells. The wooden framed home he built in 1845 still stands today and has many characteristics of the Greek Revival period which was a favorite architectural style at that time. The Orson Starr House is listed in Michigan’s State Register of Historic Sites and is located at 3123 N Main Street in Royal Oak MI. The Orson Starr cowbells are collectible items and a favorite for many design styles such as country, primitive and farmhouse.

• Royal Oak has been named one of the Top 10 Most Exciting Small Cities in America by Movoto. It is a favorite place to be, to visit and to spend time for many reasons including its annual events.

• Royal Oak has been named one of The Best Places To Live In Michigan by Areavibes. This city has something for everyone because of its variety.

• Royal Oak has also been named one of the 10 Happiest Small Places In America. With 50 parks and friendly people, how could Royal Oak be anything else?

• Royal Oak has received numerous awards from The National Arbor Day Foundation as "Tree City USA"  because of the city's dedication to tree planting and preservation.

• It takes some dedicated professionals and students to make this happen! Royal Oak High School has been named a 2018 Best High School in Michigan.

• During the 1920's, Father Charles Coughlin, a Canadian-American Roman Catholic Priest, was the founding pastor of the Shrine of the Little Flower. It is still a prominent landmark in Royal Oak. He raised funds through his ministry to build the present limestone church and tower from which his radio show was broadcast.

• The Royal Oak Farmers Market originally opened as a truck market in October 1925. It was a venture between the City of Royal Oak and Oakland County, Michigan. Today, the community of Royal Oak enjoys and supports the farmers market year round.

• Royal Oak encompasses a significant stretch of the Woodward Dream Cruise. The city sponsors supportive events around the Cruise. The Woodward Dream Cruise is the world’s largest one-day celebration of the cars and the culture of cars.  This annual event achieves over 1 million visitors and over 40,000 cars including muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest automobiles. While technically, it is only a one-day event, the city will experience a lot of excitement surrounding this popular event.

• Home Improvement was a popular television sitcom in the 1990s, and it is believed it was set in Royal Oak MI. Tim Allen is from the Detroit area, and the show is set in a cozy middle-class neighborhood which many think is Royal Oak.

• The Loud House, which is a Nickelodeon show also selected Royal Oak as their setting. The animator, Chris Savino is a Royal Oak native and created the fictional town “Royal Woods” in The Loud House. Some of the episodes are based on his own experiences growing up in a large family in Royal Oak.

If you are new to Royal Oak or visiting Royal Oak, you’ll soon discover why this city has been named one of Top 10 Most Exciting Small Cities in America.

Royal Oak MI is home to over 50 scenic parks where you can take pictures, explore, bird watch or walk. There are also 30 baseball fields, an ice arena, public and private golf courses, a mini-course and driving range, so there’s plenty of opportunities for exercise year round. Additionally, there’s 34 tennis courts, an indoor soccer facility, and two Senior Community Centers. Anyone living, working, playing or visiting Royal Oak MI will quickly understand and discover why Royal Oak is one of the 10 Happiest Small Places In America to enjoy, spend time and embrace life.

Royal Oak MI is a vibrant community that is filled with a variety of activities for people of all different ages and lifestyles. There’s an abundance of local shopping opportunities and delicious dining options. There’s also numerous theaters, various galleries, many types of churches, and necessary professional services. Downtown Royal Oak continues to host a thriving Farmer’s Market, a desirable, walkable experience throughout the beautiful downtown area, and numerous annual community events. The recreational activities, special events, over 200 restaurants and all of the other places to go and things to do will help you quickly realize and agree that Royal Oak is one of the Best Place To Live In Michigan.

As a city recognized by The National Arbor Day Foundation for its tree planting and preservation, and as “Tree City USA,” you’ll embrace the outdoors at the two outstanding nature preserves, Cummingston Park and Tenhave Woods. The Royal Oak Nature Society counts on volunteers and works with the City of Royal Oak to protect, promote and maintain the two nature preserves. Each of the preserves is over 20 acres in size and have trails to be enjoyed from dawn to dusk. Pets are not permitted inside either nature preserve.

The Royal Oak High School was named one of the best public high schools in the State of Michigan according to the “2018 Best High School” ranking by the U.S. News and World Report. This is something the students and the entire community of Royal Oak are very proud about as there are 835 public high schools in Michigan and Royal Oak High School is one of only 95 schools to receive a silver medal.

About Royal Oak

The residents are mostly of German, Scottish-Irish and Polish ancestry with English being the primary language. Royal Oak’s female population is slightly higher than the male population, which is 50.3 percent and 49.7 percent respectively. Senior citizens make a total 13.5 percent of the population. The average age of Royal Oak’s population is 37 years old. The majority of the occupations in the area include executive, management, professionals, sales and the service industry. Royal Oak has a well-educated population with 54.4 percent people holding at least a bachelor’s degree. Those who are 25 years or older earn an average salary of $49,533. People without a high school degree earn around $25,726 annually, while those with a high school degree make $26,920 monthly. On average, a family in Royal Oak earns $92,047 annually.

Significant employers in Royal Oak include

William Beaumont Hospital began serving patients in 1955 and is now the largest employer in Royal Oak with 7,147 employees. Beaumont Hospital Emergency Center is among the largest in the country with over 130,000 annual visits in 2016.

The City of Royal Oak is another significant employer with 465 employees. They strive to provide the very best customer service to each resident of Royal Oak. The work, the City of Royal Oak, does is vital to the success of the community.

Royal Oak Public Schools with 482 employees is also a significant employer. They work together to create a world-class system for education with active partnerships throughout the schools and community. Royal Oak Public Schools are proud of everyone at Royal Oak High School for their recent achievement of being named one of the 2018 Best High Schools in Michigan.

Oakland Community College has 448 employees and four buildings grouped together around a full-service library, a two-story center mall and it’s all under one roof. The Oakland Community College of Royal Oak is home to renowned programs in photography and an array of general studies.

Additional significant employers in Royal Oak include Consumers Energy with 351 employees,

Flex-N-Gate with 350 employees, The Detroit Zoo with 301 employees, The Holiday Market with 300 employees and HHI-Form Tech with 290 employees.

If you don’t want to enjoy a day at home and to read the Daily Tribune or to listen to local radio, Royal Oak is filled with special events, programs, and recreational activities. There is entirely no lack of things to do and places to go. You can stay as busy as you want with participating or volunteering somewhere with an organization or cause that is interesting to you. There are so many options to be involved in this great community that you are sure to find a place where you can make an impact.

Playing In Royal Oak

Whether you’re spending a few days or living in the great city of Royal Oak, spending spare time outdoors in the many parks is a favorite activity. Several of the exciting programs that are available include: “Citizen Scientists,” “Friends Of Fungi,” and “Frog Watch USA.” This area of Michigan is also famous for the Polk Penguin Conservation Center, Arctic Ring of Life, Detroit Zoo, and Red Oaks Waterpark. Special events include Pickleball, the Memorial Day Parade, and a Holiday Magic Parade.

Some places to visit in Royal Oak MI where you will find local residents frequently visiting include

• The Blue Water Michigan Chapter of the National Railway provides the experience of railroad related events and the history of railroading. A visit here is perfect for any train or railroad enthusiast along with anyone with interest in passenger trains, railroad operation, and train travel.

• The Royal Oak Historical Society is a volunteer membership organization located at the Northwood Firestation. This is a wonderful environment where you can learn, grow, enrich and it promotes the historical study of Royal Oak MI. The Royal Oak Historical Society encourages research, collection, and preservation of historical materials and to record the folklore in Royal Oak MI.

• Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial exists to honor Michigan residents who served in the armed forces during World War II. This memorial provides a year-round destination that encourages visitors to commemorate and celebrate their freedom. The anticipated completion date is 2020, in time to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.

• The Royal Oak Public Library is opened Monday - Saturday, and in addition to books, they have numerous programs available to learn about something new, pick up a new hobby or improve something in your life.

• The Royal Oak Flea Market is a place where you can wander and maybe find a treasure. Take a pleasant walk or go searching for an Orson Starr cowbell. You may be surprised what you discover at the Royal Oak Flea Market.

There are so many choices and places to visit in Royal Oak MI, you are sure to find something that is perfect. Some local favorites where residents often take their visiting family and friends include:

• The Stagecrafters Baldwin Theater operates from the magnificently restored vintage downtown Royal Oak theater. The accomplished community theatre group presents a variety of plays and musicals. They also have organ-accompanied silent movies from time to time.

• Founded in 1995, the Royal Oak Symphony Orchestra is a cultural offering to the community. Listeners get the opportunity to hear live performances of musical masterworks which have been appreciated by audiences for hundreds of years.

• The Detroit Zoo fascinates people of all ages. It has 125 acres of beautiful habitats for 2,400 various animals. They have won many awards, and it’s a fun and exciting place to spend a day. Don’t forget to be ready to take lots of pictures. 

Dining In Royal Oak MI

Royal Oak MI has an abundance of quality restaurants, and there’s something for everyone. Some local favorites include Lockhart’s BBQ where you can enjoy a brisket sandwich or Pronto Sandwich where you’ll experience the best-grilled cheese ever and fried pickle spears. Then there’s Tom’s Oyster Bar where you can have the best clam chowder, Bread By Crispelli’s is where you’ll find yourself stopping back frequently for the Cinnamon Pecan Scone or the Iron Horse where your favorite might just become the Mahi Mahi Tacos. Last but not least, Monty’s Grill is one of the oldest diners in Royal Oak and is always filled with baby boomers who are entirely in love with the French toast, homemade soups, and milkshakes. It seems that if you visit or live in Royal Oak MI, you’ll get to indulge in tasty food.

Essential Services In Royal Oak MI

When it comes to the vital services you want and need, you’ll find plenty of them within a short drive:

Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak is a major teaching center and receives referrals from doctors and hospital in other states and from around the world. Since 1992, it has been included and earned national recognition by US News and World Report in 9 medical specialties.

There are numerous hair salons and barbershops providing excellent customer service and quality haircuts and services.

There are several convenient travel options available in Royal Oak or nearby. If you do need or want to travel, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is the nearest airport to Royal Oak and is 32 miles away. Amtrak provides service to Royal Oak, operating its Wolverine three times daily in both directions between Pontiac and Chicago via Detroit. Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) operates local and regional bus transit.

The Police Department and Fire Department of Royal Oak have a reputation of having great response times, being caring, comfortable to work with and reassuring during times of need.

Royal Oak Senior Citizens

Royal Oak is a community that appreciates its senior citizen residents. This area believes in and promotes the importance of lifelong education, fitness for seniors, healthy nutrition for senior citizens and plenty of recreational activities planned and developed specifically for the senior citizen residents of Royal Oak MI. The two senior centers in Royal Oak are Mahany/Meininger Senior Community Center which is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM - 4:30 PM and Salter Community Center which is open Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM - 4 PM. Both centers have numerous activities and resources for the seniors living in Royal Oak MI. The beautiful Royal Oak Arboretum is located behind the Royal Oak Senior Center and is a lovely and inspirational place to visit.

Royal Oak Community Services Celebrating Seniors

Senior Gold Card

The Royal Oak School District celebrates senior citizens in the Royal Oak School District by offering a "Gold Card" to residents who are over sixty years of age. The Gold Card provides its holder to free admission to all school-sponsored events, programs, and activities which would typically have an admission fee.

You may apply for your Gold Card at the Royal Oak Continuing Education Center which is located at 707 Girard Avenue, Royal Oak MI. They will need to see identifying information such as a driver’s license to verify your birthdate as you apply for your Gold Card. For more information, call 248.588.5050. They are open to serve you from 8-1 and 2-4 Monday through Friday.

Senior Tuesdays

Another way Royal Oak MI celebrates senior citizens is by offering a Senior Tuesdays Discount Card. With this card, seniors dining before 6 pm at over one dozen specific downtown Royal Oak restaurants can enjoy a 20 percent discount. The Senior Tuesdays Discount Card offer excludes daily specials and alcohol. The cards are available at City Hall in the city manager’s office, Rom 201 which is located at 211 S Williams, Royal Oak MI. If you have any questions, contact Judy Davids at 248.246.3201 or judyd@romi.gov.

Tim’s Kitchen

Tim’s Kitchen serves delicious and nutritious meals made from scratch each weekday at 11:45 am in the Mahany-Meininger Center. Meals are only $3.50 per person when you dine in and $4.00 per person for takeout orders. Orders can be picked up from noon - 3 pm Monday - Friday.

Please call one day advance before 1 pm to reserve a meal: 248.246.3900. You may plan in advance anytime during the month and can purchase meal vouchers for 5 or 10 meals which can be used at any time.

Meal vouchers are a popular gift idea which senior citizens always appreciate as Chef Tim serves delicious favorites and new creations. If you are running late or must cancel, please call 248.246.3900 to let us know as there are times we have people waiting for meals.

Chester Street Residence

Chester Street Residence is an exceptional assisted living and memory care community in Royal Oak MI where your loved one can be part of a community in a safe, secure and caring environment. It is located in a peaceful residential neighborhood with beautiful mature trees and is in a safe and clean community. The Chester Street Residence provides a calm atmosphere, comfortable environment, and is a locked community with a security system. Most of the nearby homes are medium sized, built between 1940-1999 and are owner-occupied. Royal Oak has a below-average crime rate.

Tania’s Pizza is within walking distance and has been serving award-winning pizza since 1987. Everything is made fresh daily, and they take great pride in serving each loyal customer with excellent tasting quality food.

The residents of Chester Street Residence get to do “everything possible, all day, every day” so each person is as relaxed, happy, and dignified as they can be with each unique situation. There is an experienced, professional, and compassionate staff available 24 hours daily, 365 days a year to provide skillful personal care services and warm-hearted assistance.

The cheerful activity director and knowledgeable team at Chester Street Residence provides a warm and friendly atmosphere with calculated daily activities to stimulate senses, expand interest and encourage participation. Chester Street Residence welcomes all generations of your loved one's family and friends and recognizes the importance of each family and accommodates each unique situation.

Table service is provided for all of the homecooked meals in the dining room. The in-house chef prepares all of the delicious meals and will meet all dietary needs and preferences. Freshly baked muffins, cookies, and specialty desserts are also served. Private room service for meals is available when necessary.

The Chester Street Residence provides 54 comfortable private bedrooms with bathrooms and telephone, cable and internet services. Each family and loved one has an individualized care plan for their circumstance, daily living assistance, medication management and daily housekeeping and laundry services.

For quality care, utmost convenience and because there are changes that occur, many of the necessary and essential services can be taken care of in-house with:

• a geriatric physician who is on-call for residents 24 hours daily
• geriatric psychiatric services
• physical therapy with an on-site therapy room and equipment
• occupational therapy
• speech therapy

Additional on-site specialty services include dental, audiology, optical services, podiatry, x-ray and lab work for the care and convenience of the residents and their loved ones. The residents at Chester Street Residence have a Beaumont Attending Physician available to be their own attending Physician at Beaumont Hospital upon request. Chester Street Residence provides complete and full assisted living and memory care services through the end of life, including Hospice services.  You can view this community on Senior Living Link click here.

Whether you are visiting Royal Oak MI or fortunate enough to call this secret gem home, Royal Oak MI is a comfortable city where life can be lived, enjoyed, and embraced. It’s obvious why it is recognized as one of the Best Place To Live In Michigan. Whatever you do, while you are in Royal Oak, be sure to indulge in some tasty food. There really is something for everyone in Royal Oak MI.

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