The city of Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, provides diverse cultural, educational and recreational opportunities to its 110,000 residents. More than a college town, Ann Arbor blends a bustling young professional scene with the perks of a major university. With something for everyone, Ann Arbor is consistently voted one of the best places to live in the United States.
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LIVING
Ann Arbor is an affordable city with a variety of houses, apartments, lofts, and condos for rent and purchase. You can enjoy the more active downtown scene in a trendy loft, settle down in a cozy northern or western neighborhood, or optimize your game-day commute and live on the south side of town, within walking distance of the Michigan Football Stadium. While the majority of residents live within the city of Ann Arbor, some residents choose to live in the surrounding cities of Ypsilanti, Dexter, Plymouth, Northville, and Saline.
The Ann Arbor public school system is recognized for its excellence and dedication to educate and empower every student to succeed.
DINING
Downtown Ann Arbor hosts a variety of restaurants, including resident favorites Mani Osteria (Italian), Zingerman’s Delicatessen, and Grizzly Peak (American microbrewery). For more information, see Ann Arbor Observer Restaurant Guide.
MUSIC
The University Musical Society hosts a rich array of performances by University based groups as well as renowned invited guests. The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra also offers performances throughout the year.
ATHLETICS
University of Michigan Athletics Department provides a thrilling experience to be part of the nearly 110,000 members of a lively crowd at a Big Ten college football game at the Michigan Stadium. Other popular sports include men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and men’s hockey. See MGoBlue for more information.
The city of Detroit houses a strong sense of pride in its professional sport teams. Within 40 minutes, you can arrive in downtown Detroit to watch a Tigers baseball game, Red Wings hockey game, or Detroit Lions football game.
FESTIVALS
During the Spring and Summer there are an abundance of weekly festivals throughout the city, particularly in the downtown area. In late summer, the nationally recognized Ann Arbor Art Fair assembles the artistic talents of hundreds of painters, jewelers, photographers, and musicians and displays their workout throughout the city. Other popular festivals include Taste of Ann Arbor, the African American Downtown Festival, and Huron River Day. For more information on city events, see the Ann Arbor city visitor's guide.
OUTDOOR
Ann Arbor hosts greater than 100 municipal parks. Enjoy a walk, run, or bike ride along the Border-to-Border Trail that courses through the many parks in the city. The Huron River provides a great day out on the water with kayaks or canoes, which can be rented through the park system and private companies. Explore Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation. For those who are a little more adventurous, there are several great local mountain biking trails including the infamous "Poto" Trail and the DTE Trail, which has added two new loops with plans to add more loops in the near future.
WEEKEND TRIPS
Approximately 4 hours north of Ann Arbor is Harbor Springs, MI, which makes a perfect weekend ski/snowboard trip. In the Fall, experience the vibrant autumn colors and take a walk along Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes in Traverse City, Michigan. Head west to Grand Rapids to experience this upbeat, lively downtown area just minutes from the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. In the summertime, spend a day on one of the hundreds of inland lakes. Explore Michigan.
