62 gated new-construction homes in Oakland County. The smallest community in the Detroit metro 55+ market — and what that means for buyers who want new construction without Kensington Ridge's scale or price tag.
The Reserves of Auburn Hills occupies a specific market niche: new construction, gated, in Oakland County, at a lower scale and lower price than either Villa Montclair or Kensington Ridge. With 62 homes planned, it's closer in feel to an upscale neighborhood than a traditional active adult resort community.
The location in Auburn Hills places residents within close reach of Oakland University (with its Meadow Brook Music Festival, theater, and continuing education programs), Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, and the healthcare corridor along Opdyke Road. Providence Hospital and McLaren Oakland are within a 10-minute drive — a meaningful consideration for buyers evaluating long-term medical access.
The Reserves of Auburn Hills makes the most sense for buyers who: (1) want new construction finishes without Kensington Ridge's $680K+ average price, (2) value a gated entry as a baseline non-negotiable, (3) prefer a small, relationship-oriented community over a resort-scale amenity package, and (4) are comfortable that the limited number of neighbors means the social scene is more curated and less spontaneous than a 600-home community. If resort-scale amenities (indoor pool, golf simulator, lifestyle director) are central to your retirement vision, this community won't satisfy that.
Auburn Hills carries one of the higher municipal millage rates in Oakland County's 55+ community cluster. City services, the Auburn Hills school district levy (Avondale), and Oakland County millages combine to produce homestead rates in the 38–42 mill range. At a $530,000 purchase price, that generates approximately $5,900–$6,600 per year in property taxes after the Principal Residence Exemption.
Michigan's Principal Residence Exemption removes up to 18 mills of school operating tax from your bill — roughly $2,200–$2,500 annually on a $530,000 home in Auburn Hills. You must file Form 2368 with the Auburn Hills city assessor within 90 days of your closing date for the exemption to apply to your first summer tax bill. It is not automatic. Buyers who miss this window pay the non-homestead rate — approximately $2,300+ more — for that entire tax year.
A specialist familiar with Auburn Hills millage rates and new construction contracts can help you understand true costs before you sign.
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