Ann Arbor, the zenith of the US education town, is a picturesque domain of Michigan, situated along the River Huron, slightly west of Detroit.
The “tree city” is home to quaint displays of wholesome landscapes, diverse culture, and musical genres, culinary delights, and most importantly, the University of Michigan.
With various educational offerings to pour, it’s no wonder why many singles, students, and young professionals call it home.
As you’ve decided to move to Ann Arbor MI, here’s what you should know more for your new adventure.
1. Is Ann Arbor Safe?
With an overall ranking of #43 in the safest cities to live in America, Ann Arbor has a violent and property crime rate of 15 and 30 on a scale of 1 to 100, which is much lower than the national average violent and property crime rate of 23 and 35.
Overall, the city is considered a safe place to live for international students, residents, and tourists.
However, it’s advised to avoid walking or jogging by yourself in the early morning or late at night, when the roads are lonely and deserted.
The crime statistics of Ann Arbor are mostly liberal and trending down.
The residential areas remain quite peaceful, have fewer break-ins, and domestic crimes and report lower crime rates in comparison to any other US cities.
Most importantly, Ann Arbor is a highly educated city, having more graduation rates, employment rates, and affluent communities with people-friendly neighbourhoods.
A good reason for lower crime rates. People mind their businesses, jobs, properties, and families.
The safest neighbourhoods in Ann Arbor are Dicken, Emery, Delhi Mills, Alber Rd, and Lansdowne.
Here is a correlation table of the crime rate in Ann Arbor concerning Michigan and the US average of 100,000 homicides.
| Crime type | Ann Arbor | Michigan | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 411 | 562 | 396 |
| Property crime | 1259 | 1585 | 2110 |
Source: https://dwellics.com/michigan/safety-in-ann-arbor
2. Things to Know Before Moving to Ann Arbor, MI
So far, Ann Arbor’s low crime rate and excellent educational opportunities have been enough to convince you to move there.
But there are plenty of other reasons why Ann Arbor is a desirable place to live. Let’s take a look at what more can Ann Arbour offer!
3. Living in Ann Arbor
Home to around 150,000 residents, Ann Arbor offers both a laid-back and fast-paced life at once; a laid-back living for suburb residents, and a fast-paced life for town residents.
With an overall score of 7/10, the city has consecutively ranked #14 in the US best places to live, #8 best places to retire in and #1 in the best education in America.
It’s a lively university town, technology, management and innovation centre and culinary hotspot with pre-eminent downtown scenes.
Residents lead a 2-in-one living in Ann Arbor Michigan. At once, it offers city and rural, smart and laid-back, high and subculture society.
People enjoy a quintessential stereotypical college town feel: streets lined with cafes, bookstores, gift Shops, taverns, cultural events, festivals and a perfect blend of permanent residents and short-term passers.
Along with that, its closeness to Detroit, booming startup companies, highly walkable streets, international neighbourhood scene and an ethos of completeness give a feel of a developed downtown.
Besides the University, a booming job market, top-rated public Schools, lower prime rates, and proximity to the public Park system make it an ideal place to live for all age groups.
4. Cost of Living in Ann Arbor
The cost of living in Ann Arbor is higher than the national average, predominantly for its housing costs.
While the city stands at 111 for its living costs, its demand remains 11% higher than the national average of 100, and 19.5% higher than the state average of 91.5.
It’s obvious that living in a high-tech city and an educational hub comes up with a price, and Ann Arbor has all the cards on the table.
With below-average utilities, healthcare, and transportation costs, necessities like housing, food and miscellaneous expenses are slightly above the national average.
Furthermore, Ann Arbor imposes a higher income tax of 4.25% of your income, higher property taxes in Ann Arbour of 5% of the assessed value, and a sales tax rate of 6% to crimp off your lifestyle in Ann Arbor.
However, they contribute a fair share of taxes to get good schools proximity to public services and a lot of law enforcement opportunities
Dig into the table to get a detail of the average Cost of Living in Michigan, and Ann Arbor as compared to the national average of 100.
| Cost of living | Ann Arbor | Michigan | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Expenses | 111 | 92 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 93 | 100 |
| Housing | 143 | 71 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 115 | 100 |
| Healthcare | 81 | 85 | 100 |
| Miscellaneous | 131 | 96 | 100 |
Source:
https://www.erieri.com/cost-of-living/united-states/michigan
5. Weather conditions in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor features four distinct seasons; warm, humid and hot summers, with temperatures averaging 75°F-50°F and chilly, cold and snowy winters, with temperatures averaging 35°F-20°F, along with mostly cloudy skies all year round.
Precipitation is thoroughly distributed throughout the year, but the wettest months are visible vividly during the summers.
While the spring is mild, gentle, and pleasant, autumn tends to be vibrant, beautiful, and crisp.
Relocating to Ann Arbor, get ready to have a healthy dose of frizzy and snowy weather to complicate your life, work and commute routes.
With a humid continental-type climate, Ann Arbor notes bizarre weather patterns and temperature fluctuations constantly within a day.
As far as natural disasters are concerned, Ann Arbor mostly expects floods in spring due to heavy precipitation and melting of snow.
Otherwise, the city’s natural landscape and environment remain vibrant and charming.
June, August, September and November are the time of the year for Ann Arbor.
While January is the coldest month in Ann Arbor with 12 inches of snow and 15°F of maximum low temperatures, July is the hottest month averaging a maximum of 85°F, noting it the warmest city of Michigan.
On average, Ann Arbor gets 180 sunny days, 36 inches of precipitation and 43 inches of snow every year.
6. Housing costs in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor has a thriving, expensive and competitive housing market with an average median housing price of $500,000, 16.2% higher than the national average.
The cost of rental homes in Ann Arbor is somewhere around $1500 to $2500 for a studio to 3-bedroom apartment.
The Cost to build a house in Michigan Ann Arbour ranges from $200,000 to $450,000.
Like other US cities, the median home prices and rental costs are increasing rapidly in Ann Arbor.
Increased population, limited open land spaces, and less inventory of homes are some of the reasons behind this.
New homes get sold for a 2% lower price than the market price and remain for around 20 days to get sold.
People relocating to Michigan Ann Arbor must consider this concern and opt for a property as soon as possible before its demand sails on.
The Haven of Ann Arbour is there to help you get a suitable property for living or renting out.
| Housing costs | Ann Arbor | US |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 143 | 100 |
| Median home cost | $456,000 | $338,100 |
| Median rental costs | $1100 | $1702 |
7. Things to do in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is a vibrant city renowned as a centre of recreational opportunities.
This thriving metropolitan city is filled with restaurants, vineyards, parks, museums, scenic trails, festivals, nightclubs and much more.
If you are wondering about moving to Ann Arbor, read about the fun things to do in Michigan, Ann Arbor below.
| Age group | Things to do in Ann Arbor |
|---|---|
| Kids | Visit the Fairy Doors in Kerrytown. Learn about wildlife at Leslie Science & Nature Center. Visit Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. A fun trip to Legoland. |
| Families | Enjoy a family picnic at Gallup Park. Explore Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum. Watch and enjoy sports at Michigan Stadium. Skating at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube. |
| Couples | Attack hunger pangs at Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger. Hiking along the natural trails of the Hudson Mills Metropark. Grab a beer in Hopcat with your partner. Share a delicious meal at Zingerman’s Deli. |
| Seniors | Visit the University of Michigan Museum of Art to see 150-year-old art collections. Book a ticket at Michigan Theatre. Take part in the Ann Arbor Summer Festival. Walk along Lillie Park. |
8. Cost of Moving to Ann Arbor, MI
The average cost of hiring a local moving company in the city is around $2,000. If you are moving out of Michigan, the cost is around $3,000 to $6,200.
Hiring local moving companies for relocation to Ann Arbor is always a convenient and stress-free option.
Local moving companies are familiar with the area and can provide you with accurate estimates, while also taking care of all the logistics of your move.
This can save you a lot of time and hassle, and allow you to focus on other aspects of your relocation.
The moving cost and time are directly proportional to the size of your house. Although you need quiet labour, moving by a rental truck is cost-effective and reduces the overall cost.
If you are preparing to shift to Ann Arbor, we have listed the best moving companies in Ann Arbor, Michigan below.
- Bellhop Moving
- Handle With Care Moving
- Juggernauts Moving & Storage
- Men on the Move
- Bos Moving & Services, Inc.
- Ultimate Movers
- Corrigan Moving Systems
- Safeway Moving
9. Living in Ann Arbor Pros and Cons
If you want to stay in a place where nature is blended with the city, then Ann Arbor is a desirable place for you.
From work, education, school, retirement and living to fun, everything is accessible at one`s fingertip.
The city is also home to the famous “University of Michigan” which attracts plenty of youngsters.
Check out the pros and cons below before deciding to stay in the city.
Pros
- Lots of outdoor activities.
- Good public schools and libraries.
- Better healthcare and medical services.
- Presence of vibrant downtown.
- The crime rate is low.
- Solid jobs and economy.
- Loaded with culture, music and art.
Cons
- High cost of living, and housing prices.
- High property tax rates.
- Traffic issues, and limited parking.
- A lot of snow.
- Lack of public transportation outside the city.
10. Best Neighborhoods in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is one of the best cities to stay in Michigan. With the quality of life, diverse attractions and amenities, the significance of education, family-friendly locals, and outdoor recreation opportunities, Ann Arbor has everything for you.
Here are a handful of the best neighbourhoods in Ann Arbor that have a sense of personality and charm!
1. Old West Side
This neighbourhood region is located west of downtown Ann Arbor. There are many native businesses and attractions for locals of all ages.
The community is home to some excellent schools and is surrounded by one of the largest parks, Allmendinger Park.
2. Northside
Also known as Lower Town, the area is accessible to all affordable amenities. The region is close to the University of Michigan.
The crime rate is relatively low. Moreover, the residents of Northside are warm and people-friendly.
3. Eberwhite
It is present in the western part of downtown Ann Arbor. Eberwhite is highly popular for Eberwhite Woods.
You can easily reach downtown and the University of Michigan football stadium within walking distance. The low crime rate makes the area one of the best neighbourhoods in Ann Arbor.
4. South Main
South Main is situated between Allmendinger Heights and Burns Park.
The area is well accessible to the stadium, the University of Michigan golf course, and Yost ice arena. The cost of housing is quite high and not less than $500,000.
5. Bach
The Bach is one of the most beautiful places to live with your family. It has many historic buildings that were built in the 1930s.
The streets are lined with trees and flowers and a lot of outdoor activities are available. It doesn’t have a high crime rate.
Moving to Ann Arbor MI FAQs
How far is Detroit from Ann Arbor?
Detroit is around 70 km (45 minutes) away from Ann Arbor.
Who lives in Ann Arbor?
There are over 1 lakh 20 thousand people in Ann Arbor, where most of the population is in educational services. The rest of the population is engaged in the healthcare sector, manufacturing, etc.
On which rank does Ann Arbor rank in education?
As per the survey of 2023, Ann Arbor is ranked 25th position in education, across the globe. Ann Arbor has top-rated district public schools and the most prestigious University of Michigan, which makes the city maintain its good rank in education.
How to get around in Ann Arbor?
v People can get around in Ann Arbor by bike or bus. Ann Arbor has a bus service that runs within the city and connects neighbouring areas through the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, or TheRide. Although passes are available, the average fare of the bus is $1.50.
Does Ann Arbor have a growing job market?
Yes, Ann Arbor has a growing job market as it recorded a 1.5% increase over the last year.
Conclusion
Ann Arbour is a fantastic place for those who want to boost their career in terms of education and jobs.
While higher taxes, home prices and living costs can create a barrier, its diversity, activities, amenities, resources, schools and universities will draw your attention to this city.
Ann Arbor gives you a vibrant city life with a Suburban feel. So, why think more as you’ll be getting more good vibes? Have a great move!