Dearborn is many things: physically large (almost 25 square miles), populous (close to 100,000 residents), young (median age is 34½) and Arab (almost a third of its residents claim Arab descent). The number may even seem low, as Dearborn is commonly known for being home to the largest population of Middle Eastern residents anywhere outside of the Middle East.

And while it is certainly a city where Arabic and English alphabets are equally on display, Dearborn is also home to residents of Polish, Irish, Italian and German heritage. All of them were drawn to Dearborn for the same reason: the Ford Motor Company.

Dearborn's past — and its future — are inextricably tied to Henry Ford. He lived there, and he built the Rouge Plant, a museum and even developed subdivisions for his employees. Seemingly every major building and residential home has some tie to the man. So if you are considering a move to Dearborn, know you are entering Ford country.

Thinking Dearborn?

Dearborn is seeing an influx of young people buying their first houses, according to Jimmy Ferris, a real estate agent who specializes in Dearborn. Ferris says, "Dearborn is attractive to many different cultures and age groups. And it's perfect for people just starting out, it's got a great school system." He points out that starter bungalows can be had for around $100,000, although in some areas, like the Country Club Neighborhood, ranches on large lots are ranging in price from the mid-$300,000s to $1 million.

Ferris, who has lived in Dearborn his entire life and worked as a police officer prior to turning to real estate, mentions the Aviation Sub, located in the northeast corner of the city, as a great place to look for a house. Its brick homes were developed for Ford executives, but are relatively affordable for an entry-level buyer.

Home again

Tara Garrity grew up in Dearborn, lived in Detroit's Woodbridge neighborhood for six years and bought a house in the Ford Homes Historic District in 2005. Although she did not necessarily set out to buy a house in Dearborn, she found that it met all her criteria: it was about a 20-minute drive to downtown Detroit, it had opportunities for walking and bicycling, a fitness center and restaurants and bars.

Her neighborhood is very family-oriented and says that each block has "a couple of families that have been in the same house for decades." The homes in the district are very distinctive, and the six models were built for Ford employees according to their rank. Ford, ever efficiency-obsessed, wanted his employees close to work so less time would be wasted commuting.

The neighborhood has a pumpkin-carving contest, home tour, street sale and caroling each year. She says, "I like old homes and I liked this neighborhood. I think it's a good investment, a solid investment."

Sueha Elhir grew up in East Dearborn and recently bought a house in the neighborhood near Levagood Park — which, incidentally, is exactly where Garrity grew up. Elhir and her family have deep Dearborn roots — she works at Ford HQ, her sister's dentistry practice is on Monroe Street and her husband, a chiropractor, owns a practice in Dearborn Heights.

Elhir and her husband were set on Dearborn to buy their first house for several reasons. They wanted to be close to their families, they like Dearborn's proximity to the freeway system and they have been consistently impressed with Dearborn city services like tree trimming, trash collection and police.

Plenty of amenities

Kerry and Bryce Moore live in East Dearborn in the Georgetown Commons condominium development behind City Hall. One of their favorite Dearborn gems is Alcamo's Market, an old-fashioned Italian bakery and grocer. Alcamo's fresh pizza dough, available on Saturdays, is so popular that it sells out by 2 p.m. They also praise its wine selection and prices.

Garrity and Elhir agree about where they buy their groceries: Westborn Market. Now a local chain, the Westborn on the corner of Michigan and Oakwood was one of the first markets in the area to start the now-ubiquitous upscale grocer trend. It's directly across the street from the Westborn Flower Market, its sister florist and garden goods store. Kroger's, Farmer Jack's and non-chains like the Dearborn Fruit Market are also available.

Coffee shops abound. The Moores make frequent stops at the drive-through Starbucks on Michigan and Oakman, while West Dearborn is replete with Caribou Coffee, a storefront Starbucks and indie The Little Café on the Avenue.

As for Arab food, consistent top vote getters from Dearborn residents are Cedarland and Adonis, as well as New Yasmeen bakery for lunch or desserts. Bruce Moore calls Peacock Tandoori "the best Indian food east of the Mississippi." Elhir loves Annam for Vietnamese food and Garrity likes the Dearborn Inn for brunch.

As for nights out, Crave and Adonis are both food and music combo spots, while local pubs like the Elmhurst Tap Room, Howell's and Silky's make for close-to-home nightcap spots.

One of Dearborn's selling points for Garrity was the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center on Michigan Avenue between East and West Dearborn (The Southfield Freeway is considered the dividing line, putting Henry Ford Community College, University of Michigan-Dearborn and Fairlane Mall into the "neutral zone" between the two.) The $43 million center boasts a fitness center with a climbing wall and pool, art gallery, auditorium, banquet space and outdoor sports fields and a running track.

The Moores point out that the level of talent that the theater attracts is top-shelf. The current season includes Bo Diddley, the Platters, Marie Osmond and the Moscow Ballet.

Biking is certainly popular in Dearborn. The Rouge River Gateway Greenway Trail connects Hines Drive to the West Dearborn shopping district. Plus, cycling around the city for transportation and/or exercise is extremely common.

Kerry Moore recently made use of the Dearborn Amtrak station, where she round-tripped to Chicago for $54. You can also get to Royal Oak and Pontiac from that station, making it potentially useful as a commuter train.

Dearbornites celebrate their city every August with the Dearborn Homecoming, a weekend festival that pays homage to well, all things Dearborn. Alumni from the city's high schools — from any and all years — show up to the art festival, concerts, fireworks, carnival, culinary contest and car shows wearing their colors proudly. The truth is that many of them still live in Dearborn, proving that the homecoming that may have happened many years ago was indeed a lasting one.

Photographs by Dave Krieger - All Rights Reserved