The University of Michigan's 350-acre Matthaei Botanical Gardens includes nature trails and a conservatory. Courtesy of Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Population: 113,206 (2006 estimate)
Percentage of retirees: 7.4% in 2006
Cost of living index: Average
Public libraries: 5 in Ann Arbor District. 14 within 15 miles.
Public transportation: AATA buses 'The Ride' operate through out the greater Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area. Amtrak rail service available at Ann Arbor station.
Access to airports: Ann Arbor Airport or Detroit Wayne County Airport.
Tax breaks: In Michigan, Social Security, military, federal, and state/local government pensions are exempt. Up to $42,240 in pension income is deductible on a single return ($84,480 on a joint return). Taxpayers 65 or older may deduct interest, dividends, and capital gains up to $9,420 (individual filers) or $18,840 (married filing jointly).
Number of museums: 9
Number of cinemas: 10
Climate: Cold winters, pleasant but somewhat humid summers.
Nearby Attractions: Detroit, Henry Ford's Greenfield Village, and a number of small historic towns all within an hour's drive.
Annual precipitation: 35 inches
Access to Healthcare: Good, owing to University of Michigan and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital System.
Useful link: City of Ann Arbor, MI
In the Know: "One thing that makes Ann Arbor a fantastic place for retirement is there are numerous activities available for a single person. I have a range of interests, all of which are accommodated both inside and outside of the university setting. I've researched other cities, wanting to get out of the weather. None measures up!"
-Martha J. Petroski, officer of the American Association of University Women, Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan defines Ann Arbor, which offers the wealth of restaurants, performing arts, cultural diversity and openness of a big city in a small-town setting.
Life here centers on downtown, where galleries, shops, restaurants, and clubs abound and the Huron River curves along the northern edge. The charming surrounding neighborhoods offer walkable access and residences that range from fine old homes to condominiums and lofts.
Though Ann Arbor is a university town, things do not slow down in summer, owing to a series of festivals. The most renowned is the annual Ann Arbor Art Fairs, attracting more than 1,000 internationally acclaimed artists and craftspeople to town for a weekend in mid-July (it also brings thousands of visitors). A three-week-long summer festival that features musicians and performers runs the gamut from popular to classical. In the fall, the Royal Shakespeare Company comes to town for three weeks.
The university has its own strong cultural offerings, from touring performers to international exhibits in its now-expanding Museum of Art. Ann Arbor boasts one of the most educated populations in the U.S., who regard maintaining the character of the city a priority. Beyond the city lie a number of well-preserved small towns, some of which hark back to the days when Henry Ford and the auto industry reigned in southeastern Michigan.
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Comments (9)
I was born and raised in Ann Arbor, and I've lived other places, and Ann Arbor's downtown is more lively than any other city of the same size. There are TONS of great restaurants, shops and there is even a great grocery store downtown (People's Food Co-Op), not to mention the incredible year round farmer's market. And Sylvia - Ann Arbor isn't great "just compared to the rest of Michigan", because Michigan is full of incredible places to live. Brittany - check out housing in Ypsilanti, it's easy to get to the air port from there and rent is a lot cheaper.
Posted by Lenore on April 20,2011 | 09:30 AM
I am currently taken a job that makes me move into Ann Arbor and I am interested in any reccomendations of good places to live near the city but still close to the detroit airport? Thanks!
Posted by Britney on April 12,2009 | 07:16 PM
Ann Arbor is a great mid size city. Not for everybody though. We have four glorious seasons-each one unique and beautiful. If you live here, plan on a sunny getaway in February - it is pretty bleak that month.
Ann Arbor's economy is vibrant primarily due to the University of Michigan and the U of M Hospital system. There are definitely several top notch restaurants and some good shops. But this is not Chicago, there are only 114000 people here. The downtown is always super busy and I have a lot of fun just walking downtown.
I agree with drew, if you don't like it take off! its a free country. I have lived in many, many places and I like Ann Arbor the best - we have been here 12 years, have three kids and I feel it is a very safe and vibrant place to raise a family.
Posted by Andy Piper on April 6,2009 | 08:23 AM
Ann Arbor is a great town. Move if you don't like it.Really, we won't be offended and we will welcome you back should you decide to return. There has no been a grocery store(Whites not withstanding) downtown since about nineteen sixty something. Kroger has been at westgate since about '63. Ann Arbor is good for retirees. There are great services and great affordable public transportation is available.
Posted by drew on April 25,2008 | 05:20 PM
Don't believe the hype. Ann Arbor is a college town and nothing more. I agree with BecomingJaded's comments on there being a lot of "Space Available" signs. I also like the fact that you can find three stores with scented candles within five blocks downtown but you need to drive a couple miles to get to a grocery store. I'll take Oakland, SLO, or Portland any day...but not Willmington or Gainesville. ps. Yes, I did leave. The 8-ball is great though.
Posted by alreadygone on April 23,2008 | 07:55 PM
Ann Arbor is seriously over-rated. I'm sure it's great compared to the rest of MI, which isn't saying much. But if you've lived elsewhere, you should know that there are far better places than Ann Arbor. Maybe the city employs an individual to lobby for Ann Arbor's appearance on lists.
Posted by Sylvia on April 23,2008 | 03:31 PM
Someone's using some very old data. Every other retail space in most of downtown has nothing but a "Space Available" sign. In Downtown you now have about 4 good restaurants and 5 shops still operating (or in relocation), all of which sell pretty much the same thing (and 50% of it you can get cheaper at chain stores outside of downtown). It's fantastic if you're a collector of real estate For Sale or For Lease signs; plenty of those to peruse. Oh yeah, and get ready to pay more property tax alone than total rent wherever you are now. To offset the insulting ridiculous millage, though, you get nice color newsletters sent to you that show pictures of new libraries, expanding libraries, new courthouses, expanding city hall, and expensive Mac laptops being given to every third grader attending school here. They're good pictures, too, and they photoshop out all the Foreclosure and Home For Sale By Owner signs in the background (and foreground, and sideground...)
Posted by BecomingJaded on April 20,2008 | 02:39 PM
Pat Brier- The unemployment rate in Ann Arbor is much lower than in the rest of Michigan, and in fact is below the national average. As of Feb 2008 (the latest statistics I found with a quick search), the unemployment rate in Michigan is 7.8%; in the US overall, 5.2%; in Ann Arbor, 5.0%. Lucille Adler- I agree the winters are too long, but you exaggerate by a month. Right outside my office window, a week after your post, it's 70 degrees and sunny with a forecast for more of the same.
Posted by Ian Jones on April 17,2008 | 01:06 PM
Agree with all the above, except the winters are absolutely miserable! If there isn't snow it is grey and damp from Nov. 1 until some time in late May!
Posted by Lucille Adler on April 10,2008 | 07:56 PM
I agree, the cultural events in Ann Arbor are phenomenal. With the huge medical complexes of U of M and St.Joes, it is outstanding. You can find wonderful food at all the restaurants with cuisine from around the world. The Summer Art Fairs and Festivals are fun too. Thanks !
Posted by Missy Caulk on April 10,2008 | 08:39 AM
But how can you say this is ideal place to move to when the unemployment rate is so HIGH and the house foreclosesure rate is so HIGH and taxes continue to be raised to pay for the every increasing welfare system.
Posted by Pat Brier on April 3,2008 | 07:04 PM