Built on the banks of the Huron River, Ann Arbor is a cultural center within the Midwest basin. It offers a unique blend of city sophistication and small town charm that appeals to students and professionals, singles and families, newly born and newly retired alike. It is both ethnically diverse and culturally rich. Just one visit and you will quickly understand why Ann Arbor is consistently voted one of the best places to live in the United States. 

The resources below provide a closer look at what Ann Arbor has to offer.

If you come to Ann Arbor, you'll find it's not only a great place to learn, it's a great place to play.

Like Food?
See 23 reasons why Ann Arbor is the BEST food town in all the land. From BiBimBop to locally brewed craft beer, Ann Arbor has it all. 

Like Sports?
Big Ten football is at its best in the Big House, where 107,000 fans converge for each home game. The Tigers, the Lions, the Red Wings and the Pistons are just 30 minutes away in Detroit.

Forbes names Ann Arbor top college sports town
Ann Arbor tops the list of the best college sports towns, based on "its excellent mix of livability and sports," according to Forbes.com. In addition to sports, Forbes cites Ann Arbor's quality public schools, low crime rate, affordable housing, and its culture and cuisine.

Enjoy Music, Theater and Dance?
The University Musical Society presents more than 75 professional events each year, covering every genre. The unique Life Sciences Orchestra is a symphonic orchestra whose members are students, staff and faculty from the University's life sciences community (including many physicians from C.S. Mott Hospital). The LSO performs two concerts each year at Hill Auditorium with over 1,000 fans in attendance. Ann Arbor Summer Festival offers a variety of shows, concerts, activities, movies and food to welcome warm, casual summer nights. From orchestras to world music-you name it, the best come here. Recent performers include the Royal Shakespeare Company, Yo-Yo Ma and Norah Jones.

Like to run or just be outdoors?
The 700 acres of the Nichols Arboretum and Matthaei Botanical Gardens offer a gorgeous place to run, jog or picnic. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the city's canoe liveries, outdoor pools and parks. And don't forget the golf courses and ice rinks. 

Have a family?
The University of Michigan offers students, staff and faculty exceptional daycare as well as backup child care for emergencies. For older children, Ann Arbor offers an award winning public school system in addition to several private school options. Kid-friendly fun includes the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Domino's Petting Farm, plays at the historic Michigan Theater, youth programs at U-M museums and more.

Ann Arbor is a diverse, welcoming community that values sustainability, education, literature and the arts. It is a community that offers something for everyone. Our unique atmosphere attracts people from all parts of the globe. Ann Arbor is consistently ranked one of the most "livable" cities. It has been ranked one of Livability.com's Top 10 Best College Towns, Forbes magazine's No.1 Most Educated City (2014), one of Popular Science's magazines 50 Most Green Cities, and USA Today named it No. 6 among Best Cities for Well-Being. 


Area Links
Want to know more about living in the area?  Visit the following sites.

About U-M
About Ann Arbor
About the Surrounding Area
About Relocation
Getting Around Ann Arbor

How Ann Arbor Stacks Up
These are just some of the fabulous accolades Ann Arbor has received, but there’s plenty more.

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Six Unique Reasons to Choose Ann Arbor:

1. Convenient Access
  • Easy to get here…
    • Detroit Metropolitan Airport, 30 minutes from downtown
    • Amtrak Station, in downtown
    • MegaBus to and from Chicago, starting at $10
  • …and easy to get around
    • You’re a short walk from everything!
    • University of Michigan Bus System to get around campus
    • Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority to get around the entire city

2. Delicious Places
  • Zingerman’s Deli (“Some of the World’s Best Sandwiches,” USA Today)
  • “The Best Food Town In All The Land,” Buzzfeed
  • More than 200 restaurants
  • 16 On-Campus Cafes and Markets

3. Entertaining Options
4. Beautiful Views
  • Huron River
  • Matthaei Botanical Gardens
  • Nichols Arboretum
  • The Wave Field, North Campus
  • Bluffs Nature Area

5. The Shops!
​6. Museums and Sites to See
  • Cobblestone Farm
  • Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
  • University of Michigan
    • Museum of Anthropology
    • Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
    • Museum of Art
    • Detroit Observatory
    • Planetarium
    • Exhibit Museum of Natural History
      • Planetarium
    • Museum of Paleontology
    • Museum of Zoology