Areas With the Shortest Commutes Around Ann Arbor

If you’re looking for a home in Ann Arbor and a short commute matters to you, where you live can make a big difference. The Old West Side, Burns Park, Kerrytown, Old Fourth Ward, Water Hill, and Northside are some of the areas worth looking at first. The right choice depends on where you work, though. A neighborhood that’s perfect for a Central Campus commute may not be the best choice if you work on North Campus or at Michigan Medicine.

That’s one of the things I talk about with buyers who are moving to Ann Arbor. Don’t just look at the distance between a home and your office. Look at the actual route you’ll take every day.

For many people working downtown or near the University of Michigan’s Central Campus, the shortest commutes are found in neighborhoods close to the city center.

Some of the areas to consider include:

• Old West Side

• Burns Park

• Kerrytown

• Old Fourth Ward

• Water Hill

• Allen Creek

• Northside

• Areas near North Campus and Plymouth Road

These neighborhoods offer different types of housing and different lifestyles, so commute time shouldn’t be the only thing you consider.

But it’s a very good place to start.

The Old West Side is one of the first neighborhoods I’d have a buyer look at when a short commute to downtown or Central Campus is important.

It’s just west of downtown and is known for its older homes, tree-lined streets, sidewalks, and strong neighborhood feel. Many homes are within walking distance of downtown and the University of Michigan’s Central Campus.

That can be a big deal if you’re tired of driving every day.

You may be able to walk, bike, or take the bus instead of getting in your car. If walking is a major priority, you may also want to compare Ann Arbor neighborhoods where walking is realistic before narrowing down your home search.

The neighborhood also has a mix of historic homes, bungalows, cottages, and other older housing styles. It feels residential without putting you far away from everything.

If you work downtown, at Central Campus, or near Michigan Stadium, the Old West Side deserves a serious look.

Burns Park is another popular choice for buyers who want to stay close to the University of Michigan and downtown.

The neighborhood sits southeast of Central Campus and has a very different feel from the downtown core. You’ll find mature trees, older homes, sidewalks, and a traditional neighborhood atmosphere.

It’s especially appealing to people who want to be close to campus without living in a heavily student-oriented area.

Commute times will vary depending on which part of Burns Park you’re in and where you’re going. But for Central Campus, downtown, and nearby parts of the medical area, the location is hard to ignore.

There’s also a practical benefit to living this close to the center of Ann Arbor. You have more options when traffic gets busy. You may be able to walk or bike on days when driving would be frustrating.

If walkability is high on your list, take a look at Kerrytown.

Kerrytown sits just north of downtown and is close to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, restaurants, shops, and other downtown amenities. It also puts you close to Central Campus.

You’ll find condos, apartments, historic homes, and other types of housing in and around the neighborhood.

For someone who wants to leave the car at home more often, Kerrytown can be a very convenient place to live.

There’s a tradeoff, though.

Housing close to downtown can come with different parking situations, smaller lots, and more density than you’ll find in some of Ann Arbor’s traditional residential neighborhoods.

So if you’re comparing homes here, look at the whole picture. Don’t just focus on the commute.

Old Fourth Ward is another area to consider if you want to stay close to downtown.

It’s a compact historic neighborhood just north of downtown and is included with the broader Kerrytown area in many local descriptions.

The location makes it convenient for people who work downtown or want easy access to Central Campus.

You’re also close to restaurants, shopping, the Farmers Market, and other parts of central Ann Arbor.

For some buyers, this is exactly what they want.

For others, the density and housing style may not be the right fit.

That’s why I always encourage buyers to spend some time in a neighborhood before deciding. Walk around. Drive the route during the time you normally commute. See how it feels.

Water Hill is northwest of downtown and offers another option for buyers who want to stay close to central Ann Arbor.

It has a more residential feel, with older homes, mature trees, and a neighborhood atmosphere.

The commute to downtown can still be quite manageable, especially compared with living farther outside the city.

Water Hill can be a good middle ground for someone who wants neighborhood character but doesn’t want to be far from downtown.

One thing to remember is that the neighborhood is hilly. That may not matter to you at all, but if you plan to bike or walk every day, it’s worth experiencing the route yourself.

If you work on the University of Michigan’s North Campus, your search should look a little different.

Northside and the neighborhoods around Broadway and Plymouth Road are worth considering because they put you on the north side of Ann Arbor.

That matters.

A home that’s only a couple of miles from Central Campus isn’t necessarily convenient if your job is on North Campus.

The University of Michigan has several major facilities spread across Ann Arbor, so I always tell buyers to start with their actual workplace.

Northside also gives you access to outdoor spaces and the Huron River area while keeping you relatively close to downtown.

It can be a good fit if you want a quieter residential setting without moving far outside the city.

If you work at North Campus, engineering, research facilities, or another employer on the north side of Ann Arbor, look beyond the neighborhoods people typically mention when they talk about walkable downtown living.

The areas around North Campus and Plymouth Road can make more sense for your daily routine.

You may give up some of the easy walking access to downtown, but you could gain a much easier work commute.

This is one of those situations where the “best” neighborhood depends entirely on your destination.

A ten-minute walk from one part of campus can become a much longer trip if your workplace is on another part of campus.

Michigan Medicine adds another layer to the commute question.

If you work at the hospital or in the medical area, close-in neighborhoods such as Kerrytown, Old West Side, Burns Park, and nearby areas can be worth considering.

The exact commute will depend on where your home is located and which entrance or building you use.

That’s why I wouldn’t rely on a neighborhood name alone.

When you’re looking at a specific house, put the actual address into your commute calculation.

A few blocks can change the route.

This is where buying a home gets personal.

You might have two homes that are both attractive, but one is five minutes closer to work while the other is closer to restaurants, parks, downtown, or your favorite parts of Ann Arbor.

Which one makes your life easier?

Think about how you want to spend your time in Ann Arbor five or six days a week.

If you work from home most of the time, your priorities may be very different from someone who drives to work every morning.

If you work at the University of Michigan, think about whether you’re on Central Campus, North Campus, or closer to Michigan Medicine.

And if you have a partner who works somewhere else, consider both commutes.

Your budget matters here, too. A neighborhood may check every box for convenience but still not be the right fit financially. Think about finding a neighborhood that fits both your commute and your budget before falling in love with a particular house.

This is something buyers sometimes overlook.

A two-mile drive can feel longer than a three-mile bike ride.

A neighborhood that’s technically close to your office may have a difficult route during busy times.

And a home that’s a little farther away may have a much easier drive.

That’s why I like to look at commute options instead of just mileage.

Ask yourself:

• Can I walk?

• Can I bike?

• Is there a bus route nearby?

• What does the drive look like during rush hour?

• Will winter weather change the route?

• Is parking easy at work?

• Do I need quick access to US-23, M-14, or another major route?

Those questions can tell you much more than a map distance.

You can also look at communities outside the city, such as Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Pittsfield Township, or Ann Arbor Township.

You may get a larger home, more land, or a different type of neighborhood.

But there’s a tradeoff.

You’ll generally be more dependent on your car.

If your goal is a short daily commute and the ability to walk or bike to places you enjoy, staying closer to central Ann Arbor may make more sense.

If you want more space and don’t mind driving, the search can expand considerably.

Neither choice is automatically better. It depends on how you want your everyday life to work.

Looking only at mileage

Two miles doesn’t tell you how long the trip will actually take.

Look at the route.

Assuming all University of Michigan jobs are in the same place

They aren’t.

Central Campus, North Campus, Michigan Medicine, and other university facilities can have very different commute patterns.

Ignoring walking and biking

If you live close enough, walking or biking may be a much better option than driving.

Forgetting about winter

A commute that sounds great on a sunny day in September may feel very different in January.

If walking or biking is part of your plan, think about what you’ll realistically do when the weather is cold or snowy.

Choosing a neighborhood before choosing your daily routine

Start with your life.

Where do you work? Where do you spend your weekends? Do you want a yard? Do you want restaurants nearby? Do you need parking?

Then look at neighborhoods.

That usually makes the search much easier.

If you’re trying to keep your commute short, I’d start with these four steps.

1. Identify your main destination.

Write down your actual work address, not just “University of Michigan.”

2. Decide how you want to commute.

Driving isn’t your only option in Ann Arbor.

3. Pick three or four neighborhoods to compare.

For Central Campus, you might start with Old West Side, Burns Park, Kerrytown, and Old Fourth Ward.

For North Campus, look more closely at Northside, Broadway, and areas around Plymouth Road.

4. Test the commute yourself.

Drive it at the time you normally would.

If walking or biking is important to you, try that too.

You’ll learn something from doing the trip that a map can’t tell you.

For a short commute to downtown or Central Campus, I’d start by looking at the areas with the shortest commutes around Ann Arbor, including Old West Side, Burns Park, Kerrytown, Old Fourth Ward, Water Hill, and Allen Creek.

For North Campus, Broadway, Northside, and nearby areas can make more sense.

And if your work is at Michigan Medicine, look closely at the actual route from each property rather than assuming one neighborhood will work for everyone.

The right neighborhood isn’t necessarily the one with the shortest number of miles.

It’s the one that fits the way you actually live.

What Ann Arbor neighborhoods are closest to downtown?

Old West Side, Kerrytown, Old Fourth Ward, Water Hill, and Allen Creek are all close to downtown. Burns Park is also nearby and offers a more traditional residential setting.

What is the best area for a short commute to the University of Michigan?

It depends on which part of the University of Michigan you work at. Old West Side and Burns Park are convenient for Central Campus, while Northside and nearby north-side neighborhoods can be more practical for North Campus.

Can I walk to work in Ann Arbor?

Yes. Some Ann Arbor neighborhoods make walking to downtown or Central Campus very realistic. Old West Side, Burns Park, Kerrytown, and areas near downtown are worth considering if walking is important to you.

Is Northside a good area for a University of Michigan commute?

Northside can be especially convenient for people who work on or near North Campus. It also provides access to downtown and outdoor areas around the Huron River.

Should I live in Ann Arbor or outside the city for a shorter commute?

If your priority is walking, biking, or staying close to downtown and the university, living in Ann Arbor may make sense. If you want more land or a larger home, surrounding communities may give you more options, but you'll generally spend more time driving.

If a short commute is one of your biggest priorities, start your home search with your daily routine.

Think about where you work, how you want to get there, and what you want to do when you’re not working.

Ann Arbor has several neighborhoods where you can stay close to downtown, the University of Michigan, or Michigan Medicine without giving up the feel of a real neighborhood.

The commute is only part of the decision. You also want to consider the neighborhood feel and lifestyle you'll experience once you're home. A location can be convenient on paper but still not feel right for the way you want to live.

And when you're exploring Ann Arbor, think about the places and things Ann Arbor is known for and whether you'll actually use and enjoy the amenities, restaurants, parks, cultural spots, and other destinations near your home.

I’m Nancy Arnold, Realtor® with The Charles Reinhart Company in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and helping buyers figure out where they’ll actually enjoy living is a big part of the home search.

If you’re considering a move to Ann Arbor, I can help you compare neighborhoods based on commute, housing, lifestyle, and what matters most to you.