Ferndale is magical.

That's the long and the short of it. It's a fantastic place to visit but also an even better place to live. When planning my move to Michigan, it was one of the cities we considered. I did a ton of research on this Mitten State community and was pleasantly surprised by what I found out.

Funnily enough, I wouldn't shut up about all the facts I learned about the up-and-coming city of Ferndale, and a friend from Florida decided to move there a month after I made Michigan my home state. So, even though I don't live in Ferndale myself, I have an excuse to explore this fine city whenever I want to!

Ferndale is located in Oakland County, in what's called the Woodward Corridor of Detroit. That makes perfect sense, as the city is home to the starting point of the Woodward Dream Cruise. In fact, Ferndale hosts the Lights and Sirens parade that kicks off the entire Dream Cruise weekend, making it the perfect place to sit and watch the world (and all those classic cars) go by during one of the busiest times in this cute city.

Now, during the Woodward Dream Cruise, Ferndale swells to over a million people. During the downtimes, however, it's a much more manageable city, with just under 20,000 residents. One of the reasons my friend chose Ferndale over another city was their excellent school system.

The other big selling point is how inclusive the community is.

The top of my list of "Things to love about Ferndale" is how much this Michigan city truly loves everyone. This Detroit suburb is affectionately known as the hub of the LGBTQ+ community in Detroit, and that energy is evident everywhere you look. I mean, even the crosswalks have rainbows!

Taking a stroll along the main drag, you'll see signs of inclusivity in the window of most businesses. Truly, everyone is welcome in Ferndale.

The businesses you'll find in Ferndale are incredible. I've had some of the best chocolate of my life (Quix), the best bread (Pops for Italian), and the best crab rangoon, which just happened to be hidden in the most adorable lil speakeasy I've ever seen.

The shopping is pretty spectacular as well. From vintage clothes to fresh new fashions that'll have you looking like you stepped right out of the pages of a magazine and everything in between.

That variety in stores extends throughout the entire town. Whether you're looking for food, clothing, gifts, or whatever, Ferndale has the perfect mix between budget and high-end shopping.

Like, I said, there's truly something for everyone in Ferndale.

And among all these incredible shops, there's no better place to shop than at The Rust Belt Market. This artisan market focuses on human makers, featuring 30+ independently owned small businesses. Here's a hot tip from me to you: do not leave the Rust Belt without getting at least one Bon Bon Bon. My first choice is always their Mustachio, but you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. These intricate, tiny treats are perfectly portioned and priced.

If all of that is not enough to make you fall in love with Ferndale, Michigan, as hard as I did, let me tell you about the events they host! The city itself hosts parades, festivals, concert series, and, of course, an absolutely incredible Pride celebration.

Explore the businesses in downtown Ferndale, and you'll discover even more fun events. The Magic Bag hosts indie groups like Thumpasaurus and recently welcomed Cowboy Mouth, which just so happens to be the reason my other Mitten State transplant and I became friends in the first place!

My favorite form of entertainment in Ferndale (aside from all the incredible eats) is the weekly open mic comedy night at New Way Bar. I'm a regular audience member for open mics, and this was definitely the longest one I've ever been to. We showed up at 7 p.m. and left close to midnight, and there was still a full page of comedians to get through.

There's something for everyone in Ferndale. I'm not exaggerating when I say there is not enough to see in one day. That's okay, though. Ferndale is also home to some fabulous rental properties. Here's one we like that has everything you could possibly need... including a hot tub.

What's your favorite lesser-known city in Michigan? Tell us about it in the comments!