Living in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) is one of the strongest public districts in Michigan, scoring an "A+" on niche.com. The district consistently scores above state averages and pulls families into the city from surrounding areas. School zoning matters, but its hard to go really wrong with amazing neighborhood schools, magnet programs that pull in students from throughout the city and plenty of well-regarded private options.

Elementary Schools (Niche Ratings + Notable Strengths)
- Burns Park Elementary — A rating. Located near the university, known for stable performance and strong parent involvement.
- King Elementary — A+ rating. One of the highest-performing elementary schools in Michigan.
- Angell Elementary — A rating. Small, established, walkable to the university area.
- Pattengill / Bryant — B+ to A-. A paired school structure serving different grade bands.

Middle Schools
- Tappan Middle School — A rating. Strong academics, large extracurricular offerings.
- Slauson Middle School — A rating. Smaller, with consistent test scores and strong community feedback.
- Forsythe Middle School — A- rating. Serves northwest Ann Arbor; broad program options.

High Schools
- Pioneer High School — A+ rating. Large, strong arts and music programs, AP and IB options.
- Huron High School — A rating. IB program, strong athletics, diverse student population.
- Skyline High School — A rating. Newest of the three; health sciences and engineering pathways.

Magnet & Alternative Options
- Community High School — Highly sought after; A+ rating. Lottery-based, project-driven curriculum, small-school feel.
- A2 STEAM at Northside — Popular K–8 magnet with hands-on, STEM-focused programming.
- Washtenaw International High School (in neighboring Ypsilanti) — IB magnet drawing Ann Arbor families through a county-wide agreement.

Private & Independent Schools - Greenhills School (6–12) - Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor (Waldorf) - Emerson School (K–8) ---

Cities like this, with big homes, tons of social and cultural options, and plenty of outdoor spaces, are perfect for a world in which more and more people work in front of their computers all day.

It's beloved by those who embrace small city energy, and the reason it rates near the top of LookyLOO's Guide to the Best Small Cities in the U.S.

ghosteagle
5mo ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

I go to U of M, and absolutely love it there. I've mentioned a few times that I'm looking for places that are "Ann Arbor, but warmer" to move to when I graduate. Things of note for me:
-The State Theater is incredible if you like watch older/more obscure movies on the big screen. The sometimes play "The Room" for instance, and will have Greg Sestero give talks afterward.
-The bars are going to be filled with students for the most part, so if you don't like that…
-There's a lot of places to take walks/mountain bike. I live in Livonia though, so I do my hiking elsewhere. I'm not really an expert on the trails there.
-It's very walkable, as a consequence of being a Uni town.
-Lots of dispensaries everywhere.
-Even with the students, IME as long as you stay away from the campus on the weekends, the parties aren't too nuts.
-Michigan Football is HUGE. People go nuts on gameday, which again I like, but it's not for everyone. Last year when we won the championship, people were blasting music and throwing shit all night all over the place.

For more reviews of what living in Ann Arbor is like from locals, check out The Reviews.

Q: Is Ann Arbor expensive?

A: Yes, Ann Arbor is one of the pricier cities in Michigan, especially for homeownership in Burns Park, the Old West Side, Kerrytown, and parts of the northeast side. Rentals vary more. Daily expenses are moderate for a university town.

Q: Is Ann Arbor a good place for remote workers?

A: Very. The city has reliable internet, many coworking spaces, and a downtown that supports walkability. Remote workers often choose Ann Arbor for the mix of amenities and the ability to get to Detroit Metro Airport easily.

Q: Are the schools in Ann Arbor good?

A: Ann Arbor Public Schools are among the strongest in the state. High schools — especially Pioneer, Skyline, and Huron — have strong academic reputations, and Community High is one of the most competitive public magnet schools in Michigan.

Q: What’s the weather like?

A: Winters are cold and snowy, with long gray stretches. Summers are warm and pleasant. Fall is a standout season with mild temperatures. If you’re moving from the coasts or the South, winter is the biggest adjustment.

Q: Is Ann Arbor walkable?

A: Parts of the city are very walkable — especially downtown, Kerrytown, and the neighborhoods near campus. Other areas are more suburban and car-dependent. Overall, it’s more walkable than most midwestern cities of its size.

A: How bad is traffic?

A: Traffic inside the city is manageable. The main bottleneck is US-23/I-94 during rush hour. Compared with Detroit or Chicago, congestion is minimal.

Q: What industries in Ann Arbor are hiring the most?

A: Healthcare, university research, engineering, tech, and public-sector roles are the biggest employers. There are also many roles tied to mobility tech and startups.

Q: Are there good neighborhoods for families?

A: Yes — Burns Park, Dicken, Lakewood, and the northeast side are popular. Many families choose neighborhoods based on school zones for specific elementary schools.

Q: Do people commute to Detroit?

A: Some do, typically in hybrid or flexible roles. The drive is roughly 40–55 minutes depending on location and traffic.