What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Ann Arbor, Michigan?

Ann Arbor, Michigan is a city at the forefront of cultural and technological revolutions. It’s a beacon of progress in the state of Michigan and a city that residents young and old proudly call home.

Living in Ann Arbor is an intriguing proposition, to say the least. Many folks would jump on that opportunity if it was presented to them. Is moving to Ann Arbor an opportunity you should accept if it was presented to you?

Move to Ann Arbor if you want to live in a place that emphasizes blending nature into its cityscape. The University of Michigan is also found in Ann Arbor and it attracts plenty of people to the city. However, the high cost of living expenses in Ann Arbor may get in the way of your plans to move there.

The experience of living in Ann Arbor, Michigan is wholly unique. Find out if it’s an experience you’ll like by continuing with this article.

Tree Town, USA is the nickname for Ann Arbor. If you live there, you will quickly understand how fitting that moniker is.

All kinds of trees can be found throughout the city. They aren’t just confined to parks and some street corners too. The city has made a concerted effort to blend the trees in with the cityscape.

The abundance of trees in Ann Arbor makes it such an appealing place to live in. The trees ensure that you have plenty of fresh air to breathe no matter where you are in the city. Walking through the city is also easier because there’s plenty of shade available.

From an aesthetic standpoint, the trees also serve to give Ann Arbor a distinctive look. Mixing natural elements together with a city’s concrete façade is not always easy. Still, you can see how well that combination works in Ann Arbor.

Everywhere you go in Ann Arbor, you will find scenery framed by the trees. It’s refreshing to see a metropolis such as Ann Arbor embrace nature as much as it does.

What is Ann Arbor most famous for? Ask that question to people who haven’t lived there and they will likely mention the University of Michigan. Interestingly enough, the educational institution was not always based in the city.

Detroit was the original home of the university and it was first established there back in 1817. Two decades later, the university would be moved to Ann Arbor with some help from then-Governor Stevens T. Mason.

It’s fascinating to learn that the University of Michigan was not always based in Ann Arbor. Truthfully, it’s difficult to imagine the city without it. Thousands upon thousands of residents depend on the university for employment. The university’s medical center also employs a large amount of Ann Arbor residents.

Tourists also routinely visit the University of Michigan to learn more about the cultural history of the area. The university is home to different museums that showcase the natural and artistic history of both the city and the state.

If you’re interested in attending a show, you can also drop by the University of Michigan. The University Musical Society routinely holds performances at the facilities there. Attend a show and bear witness to world-class artists putting their talents on display.

The University of Michigan is also well-known as a powerhouse in collegiate athletics. Over the years, the Michigan Wolverines have amassed a total of 39 NCAA team titles for their alma mater.

Lastly, we want to highlight the academic accomplishments of the University of Michigan. It has received the R1 Carnegie Classification, which indicates that the university invests heavily in its research efforts. Several University of Michigan alumni have also gone on to receive prestigious awards for their academic accomplishments.

The city of Ann Arbor presents residents and tourists alike with a diverse collection of attractions. Like we noted above, the University of Michigan is one of the main attractions in the city.

The university’s Museum of Art is a place worth visiting if you the time to spare. The same can be said for its Museum of Natural History.

To explore a different kind of history, visit the Gerald Ford Presidential Library. While you’re there, you can revisit some of the important issues that defined the late president’s legacy.

We also want to talk about Kerrytown. Kerrytown is a neighborhood in Ann Arbor that features old world architecture. It’s not just a place you should visit for the interesting buildings and streets though. Kerrytown is also home to numerous markets and restaurants. Spend the day sorting through some fresh goodies there or peruse the trinkets on sale. Once you’re done shopping, dine at one of the restaurants there that offer only the finest and freshest food.

Are you looking for more natural attractions? If so, check out the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Ann Arbor residents visit those places all the time whenever they want to go on hikes or nature walks.

During the summer, head over to Huron River. Rent a boat there and sail gently along the river’s path. You can also set up along the shore and spend the day fishing.

By the way, Ann Arbor is also home to over 150 municipal parks. If you’re just looking for a place to relax and unwind away from home, you have many options to choose from.

Compared to the rest of the country, the cost of living expenses in Michigan are regarded as very affordable. That’s true for almost all kinds of expenses.

Utilities, groceries, and healthcare-related expenses are priced favorably for Michigan residents. You’ll be paying more for those same expenses in the majority of American cities.

Michigan residents get an even sweeter deal on homes. The median price for a new home in Michigan is around $150,000. For the rest of the United States, that number is closer to $231,000. Unfortunately, you won’t get those same benefits if you want to live in Ann Arbor. Expenses related to healthcare, groceries, and utilities remain affordable, but housing is an entirely separate matter.

A new home in Ann Arbor could cost you close to $380,000. That’s right. You could potentially pay more than double for a home in Ann Arbor than you would for a home elsewhere in Michigan. Obviously, you don’t have to buy a home in Ann Arbor right as soon as you move. Still, you’re not getting any discounts from renting either.

In any case, remember to account for house prices before making a final decision on your move. Buying a home that expensive could put you in a tough spot. It may be best to hold off on the move to Ann Arbor until you’ve saved some more money.

Cities in the Midwest typically get a lot of snow. Ann Arbor, Michigan is not an exception to that.

Annual snowfall for Ann Arbor has been recorded at 43 inches. That’s a good amount higher than the nationwide average of 28 inches of snow. Waking up early every weekday winter morning is a must for Ann Arbor residents. If you’re heading to work, you need to reserve time for clearing your driveway. You can speed up that activity by using a snow blower, but it still demands a significant amount of time.

As you can imagine, winter nights in Ann Arbor also get very cold. Make sure that your Ann Arbor home is well equipped to deal with the coming winters there.

Related Questions

How Is the Traffic in Ann Arbor?

Traffic in Ann Arbor can get pretty bad and the problem intensifies during the winter. Normally short commutes can take several minutes longer because everyone’s struggling with the snow.The traffic issue is also evident around the University of Michigan. Try to avoid that area unless you have business there.It’s a good thing that walking is a viable way to get around Ann Arbor. You can save yourself from a lot of headaches by avoiding traffic and walking more often when the weather permits it.

Is the Job Market in Ann Arbor Stable?

Relative to the job markets of other American cities, Ann Arbor is faring pretty well. The unemployment rate there is at 3.5 percent. That’s significantly lower than the national unemployment rate of 6.0 percent.Residents can also expect the job market in the city to expand significantly over the next decade. The job market there could grow by over 38 percent across that aforementioned timeframe. If that holds, Ann Arbor’s economy would grow at a faster rate than the country’s job market.