MI
Ann Arbor neighborhoods, and what daily life is like in each
A university city on the Huron River, with century-old homes near downtown, 1950s ranch neighborhoods, mid-century modern homes in Ann Arbor Hills, and culture all year.
Living in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor neighborhoods grew up around the University of Michigan, and you can still feel it. Town and campus flow into each other. Downtown, especially near campus on State Street, the sidewalks are busy with students and university foot traffic, which gives the city great energy and also makes it crowded at times.
Ann Arbor's nickname is Tree Town, and the city is very environmentally conscious. It's also very bike-friendly, with many dedicated bike lanes and plenty of people walking and riding. The Huron River runs through town, with lots of places to sit by the water, and Nichols Arboretum near downtown and campus has walking trails and a well-known peony garden. Some people even walk a path through the Arb to reach the hospital.
I've lived in Washtenaw County since 1997, and I've helped buyers and sellers in the Ann Arbor market for 13 years. This page is my guide to the city: its neighborhoods, its homes, and what daily life is like in each part of town.
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How I help buyers and sellers in Ann Arbor
In Ann Arbor, a few blocks can change what a home is worth. A house you can walk downtown from and a similar one a short drive away can sell for very different amounts. That's why every price I recommend comes from the homes that sold nearby, not from a citywide average. If you're thinking about a move, start with what your Ann Arbor home is worth.
When I list a home here, it gets professional photos, video and drone footage, its own property website, and a paid social media campaign that reaches buyers in and around Ann Arbor. You can read more about selling your home in Ann Arbor.
I often help buyers who are moving here for a University of Michigan job or a corporate transfer. Before we look at a single home, I teach them the neighborhoods, so they know which streets fit the way they want to live. When they can't be here, I walk through homes with them on a FaceTime video call. Read more about relocating to Ann Arbor or buying a home in Ann Arbor.
Ann Arbor neighborhoods and communities
Each Ann Arbor neighborhood has its own kind of house and its own trade-offs. Here are several of them.
The Old West Side is made up mostly of two-story homes from the early 1900s, some around 100 years old. Some have been completely redone, and others keep their original character. The homes tend to have smaller square footage unless they've been added onto, and not every house has a garage. The streets are walkable, and so is downtown.
Water Hill has century-old homes much like the Old West Side, including some two-bedroom houses. Many keep their original character, and some stand out for the wildflower gardens in their yards. It's walkable to downtown and a little closer to Kerrytown, with parks nearby. Each May, neighborhood musicians keep up a tradition of playing on front porches and in yards.
Ann Arbor Hills has larger homes on somewhat bigger lots, including many mid-century modern homes and other distinctive classic styles. It's very close to the University of Michigan hospital and campus, and you can walk to the stadium. Most of the neighborhood has no sidewalks.
Geddes Heights is a tree-covered pocket between Geddes Road and the Arb. Homes range from around 100 years old to brand-new builds, and some back up to Nichols Arboretum. It's very walkable to the hospital, Central Campus, and downtown, but it's hilly, and some streets are very steep.
Burns Park is a neighborhood of older homes, many around 100 years old, set a little closer together on smaller lots. At its center is Burns Park itself, a 15-acre city park with tennis and pickleball courts, a playground, and ball fields. Burns Park Elementary is in the neighborhood, and community traditions include a fun run in May and big Halloween celebrations. The businesses on Packard are a short walk away.
Orchard Hills is a subdivision on Ann Arbor's northeast side, just north of Plymouth Road, built in the 1960s and 1970s and close to North Campus. It has ranch homes and two-story colonials, some backing up to a pond, a neighborhood pool residents can join in summer, and a short walk to Thurston Elementary.
Ann Arbor homes and housing types
Ann Arbor's housing falls into a few clear groups. Near downtown, many homes are older, often around 100 years old, and many are on the smaller side. Close to downtown, there are also neighborhoods of 1950s ranch homes, which give you one-floor living without a long drive.
Other neighborhoods offer different styles and bigger lots. Ann Arbor Hills has many mid-century modern homes on somewhat bigger lots. Orchard Hills offers 1960s and 1970s ranches and colonials on traditional lots.
Older homes bring character, and they also bring questions. How old is the roof? Has the house been added onto? Is there a garage? When we look at an older Ann Arbor home together, I'll point out what to check before you make an offer. If you're selling one, I'll tell you which small updates are worth making before it goes on the market.
For a price on a specific home, I'll show you the recent sales on nearby streets. That's the most reliable picture of the Ann Arbor market for your home.
Daily life in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor has culture all year. Downtown you'll find the State Theatre, the Michigan Theater for movies and live shows, The Ark for live music, the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Hill Auditorium, and the University of Michigan Museum of Art. In summer, street performers add to the mix.
The original Zingerman's Deli is still on Detroit Street downtown. The Huron River and Nichols Arboretum give you places to walk, sit, and slow down without leaving the city.
University of Michigan football shapes the fall. On game Saturdays, everything revolves around the game, and if you're driving, plan to stay away from Michigan Stadium from about two hours before kickoff until about two hours after the game ends.
If you want more of a small-town feel, the nearby towns of Dexter, Chelsea, and Saline are each a short drive away.
If you're buying or selling in Ann Arbor, call me or send a note. I'll walk you through the neighborhoods that fit what you're looking for, and you can decide from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ann Arbor neighborhoods are walkable to downtown?
The Old West Side and Water Hill are both walkable to downtown, and Water Hill is a little closer to Kerrytown. Geddes Heights and Ann Arbor Hills are walkable or bikeable to downtown and campus.
Which Ann Arbor neighborhoods are close to the University of Michigan hospital?
Ann Arbor Hills and Geddes Heights are both very close to the hospital and campus. Some people also walk a path through Nichols Arboretum to reach the hospital.
Is downtown Ann Arbor busy?
Yes, especially near campus on State Street, where the sidewalks are full of university foot traffic. Some buyers want that energy, and others prefer a quieter street a short bike ride away.
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