Can't think of any better
-
8/27/2010
Early on in our marriage, we lived in Moscow, Idaho and Wisconsin (Stephens Point) and then Columbus, Ohio.
I've lived in several cities in Michigan from East Lansing to working in Jackson, and in Ypsilanti and worked
in Farmington and Romulus, so am pretty familiar with many places. I think Ann Arbor has an awful lot in the
way of overall quality of life. The cleanliness is like Columbus as is the type of broad and clean non-manufacturing tax base, but it's not so homogeneous or conservative as Columbus. There is a base of jobs at the UM Health system, University of Michigan, Google, and many small businesses which really make for a lot of stability.
There is a large Asian population, chiefly in the northeast and many African-Americans, chiefly to the southeast, and many Arab-Americans also in the north east and south parts of town, but a nice mix really througout the community.
The taxes are high, chiefly due to a great transportation system, good roads, schools, healthcare and parks and recreation. Then there is a voted-on "green belt" around the city that also means preservation of green space, but higher taxes (and consequently also higher home values).
I note we used to feel like one of your more negative reviews, that folks were a "bit much," but that was when we lived in a small town about a half hour away and thought modern life folks were "pretentious." Maybe it's that we've joined them, but we really don't perceive that in living here, or for that matter, or any attitudes of elitism.
One comment said profs make 200 to 400K and weren't worth that; that is patently false as the facts from the Chronicle of HIgher Ed which publishes salaries nationally can attest to. Salaries are high at such universities, but the top for most schools/depts. would run closer to this person's bottom level, excepting perhaps in law or medicine where thay don't begin making much of a salary until they're 35 or 40! And they do work hard even though it might not look that way to a person making their living in physical work--fiercely competitive these universities.
The arts and culture opportunities include the Ark, one of the longest running folk and ethnic music types of spots in the nation, as well as ongoing festivals and more expensive venues such as the Power Center or Hill auditorium.
There are also some theaters with live productions regularly which are struggling, and the University Musical Society and on and on in this realm. The County Rec centers offer inexpensive and thorough recreational and fitness opportunities, with many parks and class offerings. The Osher Institute offers 100s of classes and lectures for seniors on almost any topic and any day of the week, with mentally stimulating activities, trips as well as the more traditional cards and social networking opportunities.
The Children's Museum, and the Michigan Theater with its family shows, as well as art flicks and the historic theater itself, all contribute to a vital community with something for any family configuration. It's an open community
which welcomes all and has a large creative class as well. Many artists complain that there's little practice space
and not affordable, but their presence is still quite viable. From co-ops to senior housing, from vegetarianism
to the Aut Bar, there's some place for everybody, including jocks and nerds. The comix store on Main Street, Vault of Midnight just won a national award for a comic and graphic novel store, and there's a skateboard park out with the water slide at Vets Park on the west side of town. The Old West side is a more historic district with older homes.
There are neighborhoods with different emphases, with the Burns Park area being more university folks, and
many condos and aptmts spread about as well. Many fine restaurants. I think it's a fine town for whatever your
interest.
There are many churches of all Christian denominations, a Buddhist temple, many Jewish synagogues, and
a Islamic mosque to the north east. The unitarians have a home out on the south west part of town, and there
are also many non-denominational, humanist, naturalist etc. sorts of groupings. Crazy Wisdom books could
probably direct your way, and I'm not sure about Hindus, but there is a Chinese Christian Cultural Center
on DhuVarren on the northeast part of town where there's also a grocer, restaurant and Kumon center.
So if you're not a Tea Partier, this is a place for anyone wishing to learn lots and live in a heterogeneious and
relatively safe sort of town, with many lively and colorful people to watch on campus, always some panhandlers and musicians, street food and the like.
barb | Ann Arbor, MI