Reasons For Moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan
Are you considering moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan? Here are some pros and cons about life in Ann Arbor. Known colloquially as ‘A squared’, Ann Arbor is the 5th largest city in Michigan. Home to a population of 121,000 there is plenty of beauty and appeal in this lively and fascinating place. Though Ann Arbor is frequently named the best college town in the U.S, Ann Arbor is much more than just a university town.
Here are some of the best reasons for Moving to Ann Arbor:
While there are hundreds of reasons you may want to move to Ann Arbor, we believe these are the best aspects of life in this city.
Trees!
Ann Arbor is home to a beautiful urban forest. The city is even known to some as ‘tree town’ due to the large concentration of Oak trees. In fact, there are approximately 1.5 million trees in this city. The name ‘Ann Arbor’ actually pays homage to the Bur Oak tree.
Walkable City & Public Transit
Unlike the vast majority of American cities, Ann Arbor is a perfectly walkable city. The urban landscape is lined with over 100 miles of bike paths and 500 pleasant sidewalks so that you can walk and bike instead of drive. The city of Ann Arbor offers its own bus system known as TheRide or (AAATA) to help residents get around the city and to neighboring suburbs. More specifically, this public transit system offers connectivity within the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti metro area.
Moreover, due to the massive University of Michigan complex, students and faculty can get access to the university’s efficient public transportation system.
Education
It’s no secret that thousands of students descend on Ann Arbor each year to attend one of the best Universities in the world. The University of Michigan is a world class and world renowned public research university that specializes in Engineering, Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Technology, Biology and more. Moreover, UMich is the oldest University in Michigan which means it has some unique and interesting history. For one, UMich Was not always known as the University of Michigan, Once upon time it was called Catholepistemiad. Another interesting fact about the place is that there are 6 miles of underground tunnels underneath the school.
Low Crime Rate
Though of course it is possible to be the victim of a crime anywhere, Ann Arbor is a safe city. Ann Arbor has a total crime rate that is 2% less than the Michigan average. Moreover, in Ann Arbor there are less than 2,000 reported crimes for every 100,000 people whereas the nationwide average boasts a crime rate of almost 2,500 per 100,000.
Jobs
Ann Arbor has a healthy and robust job market. With an unemployment rate of 4%, the unemployment rate is well below the U.S average. Moreover, the salaries in Ann Arbor are quite high at an average of $59,200 per annum. In Ann Arbor there are many jobs in education, research, engineering, service, automobile manufacturing, medicine and more. Ann Arbor is home to several large healthcare systems and hospital networks which provide a wealth of employment opportunities. Some of the biggest employers in the city include:
- Domino’s Pizza
- University of Michigan
- Trinity Health Michigan
- Thomson Reuters
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
- Toyota Motor North America
- Ann Arbor Public Schools
- IHA Health Services Corp
Public Schools
The Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) is the 8th largest public school system in Michigan with an enrollment of 17,000 students. Ann Arbor has the best public schools in the state of Michigan and the second best public school district in the United States. The public school system offers a 17-1 student faculty ratio which helps create an excellent learning environment.
Gorgeous Greenery & Plants
Ann Arbor is home to lots of nature preserves perfect for hiking, camping, canoeing, birdwatching and more. These reserves include the Bird Hills and Kuebler Langford nature areas. Moreover, checkout the Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum to see thousands of species of plants and The Creature Conservancy (a wild animal conservatory!) to check out some animals.
Fun Downtown!
Downtown Ann Arbor is a truly special place full of great restaurants, wine bars, boutiques, breweries and more. The historic buildings in the area make for a great tour! There are several areas in Downtown to explore including: Kerrytown District, Main Street District, South University District, and State Street District. You can see shows at theaters, listen to live music and check out some cool galleries.
Sports
Go Wolverines! Thanks to the University of Michigan, you will never go hungry for a sporting event. UMich has tons of D1 sports teams to support and lots of fun fan energy abound. The University of Michigan is a part of the Big 10 Sports conference with over 27 varsity team sports. Moreover, the UMich stadium is the 2nd biggest football stadium in the U.S.A!
Museums & Galleries!
If you love art, history and general educational exhibits, Ann Arbor is an excellent place to live. Not only can you visit the Hands On Science Museum, but you can also check out the University of Michigan Museum of Art. If you like contemporary art be sure to head to the Stamps Gallery.
Home to the Fourth Oldest Film Festival
The Ann Arbor film festival is the oldest experimental film festival in the U.S and takes place in Ann Arbor every year. This film festival is a huge cult favorite in the experimental film scene and has screened films by artists like Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono.
Good Quality of Life
The city of Ann Arbor consistently ranks high in terms of its quality of life. Ann Arbor is a clean city that combines the best of suburban life and city life, offering access to cultural events, fine dining and other live entertainment experiences. Ann Arbor was recently ranked 11th in the 2022 U.S News & World Report list of best places to live in the U.S.
Affordable Cost of Living
Despite all of the amenities of life in Ann Arbor, the cost of living is only 4% higher than the national average. Housing, however, is 16% higher than the national average, with median rent at $1585 a month and median home prices at $521,255.
READY FOR MOVING TO ANN ARBOR?
Ann Arbor is a safe, prosperous and culturally exciting place to live. Though Ann Arbor has a relatively small population, life in Ann Arbor is full of the same experiences you’d find in major international cities like New York or LA. If you are looking to hire Michigan Movers, be sure to contact us for a free quote. USA Preferred Movers is a professional Michigan moving company with over 40 years of experience. Inquire with our team about your potential move to Ann Arbor.