APPEAL: Livonia is the second largest city in Wayne County; Detroit is the largest. This vibrant community has pleasant neighborhoods with more than 37,700 housing units and a thriving commercial sector that counts more than 4,700 businesses, including stores, restaurants and hotels. An industrial area made up of a 6-mile corridor of manufacturing firms is on the south side of the city along I-96, close to a railroad line and tucked away from residential areas.

Although about 97% of the city is built up, more than 2,300 residential building permits were issued in the last 10 years according to Housing Consultants in Clarkston. Most house building is in the form of infill construction -- clusters of homes on scattered pieces of land. New homes continue to be built, especially off 8 and 7 Mile roads, says Rosemary Firestone of RE/MAX 100 in Novi.

Redevelopment is taking place, too, bringing new condos, single-family homes and commercial developments, says Pat Seleski, the city's chief of public relations. Examples include the former Ardmore site off Farmington Road near 7 Mile and the former George Burns Theatre site on Plymouth Road.

Established neighborhoods are well kept and a portion of Livonia has a country feel because the houses are on large lots and there are no sidewalks. Homeowners pay the lowest total homestead tax rate compared to other cities in Wayne County, though that may not be true for the townships.

FACTS: This 36-square-mile community incorporated as a city in 1950. I-96 and I-275 run through it and it's about 20 minutes from downtown Detroit.

PREVALENT ARCHITECTURE: House styles are ranches, tri-levels and 2-stories built from the late 1920s to the 1970s. Newer subdivisions have larger ranch houses, 1 1/2 - and 2-story houses. The city has apartments and condos, too. Last year houses sold from less than $100,000 to more than $500,000 according to multiple listing services.

POPULATION: 100,545 in the 2000 U.S. Census; about 95% white, 2% Asian, 2% Hispanic, 1% black. The population decreased 0.3% between 1990 and 2000.

EDUCATION: Math and reading MEAP scores for the Livonia Public Schools district run about 13% above state averages and scores in the Clarenceville School District run about 3% above state average. Livonia is home to Madonna University and Schoolcraft Community College. Last month the Livonia Public Schools district announced that it will reorganize. There might be closings and reconfigurations of some schools.

TAXES: $34.46 per $1,000 of a house's taxable value in the Livonia district and $35.79 in Clarenceville. A $203,770 (average price) house with a taxable value of $101,885 would have property taxes of $3,510 in Livonia and $3,646 in Clarenceville.

MAJOR EVENT: Ground breaking was last month for a Memorial Plaza at the intersection of 5 Mile and Farmington roads. The plaza will be illuminated and consist of a Veteran's Monument and a Memorial Wall. A Memorial Day dedication is planned according to Seleski.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: SMART, 866-962-5515; Livonia Community Transit for residents who are 60 and older or disabled, 734-466-2700; Senior Park Senior Center for residents 60 and older, 734-466-2555.

PUBLIC SAFETY: Livonia Police reported 329 burglaries, 317 motor vehicle thefts, 67 cases of criminal sexual conduct, 52 robberies and one homicide in 2004. In 2003, the FBI ranked Livonia the seventh safest city in the United Sates with a population over 100,000.

SHOPPING, DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT: Plenty of shopping and dining are available throughout the city. There are more than 200 restaurants, two shopping malls and many strip malls.

A 130,000-square-foot community recreation center has four gyms, a gymnastics center, climbing wall, indoor playground, fitness center, two pools and a water playground. Outdoor features include an in-line skating rink and skateboard park.

The city also has three libraries, three golf courses, two indoor ice arenas and Greenmead Historical Village, a 95-acre park that features some buildings from the 1850's.

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