[Virginia1]

Does anyone have any info on places to live around Ann Arbor. I am thinking of applying for work at UM, and have seen that the real estate in Ann Arbor is not cheap. Any opinions about Chelsea or other small towns that may be safe and quaint. Thanks.

[skip2milieu]

Dexter and Chelsea are both highly desirable areas. Both are small , safe and friendly towns with nice downtown areas and a sense of community. Dexter is just west of Ann Arbor (about a 5 minute drive) and Chelsea is just past Dexter (about a 15 -20 minute drive to downtown Ann Arbor). The housing and taxes in Dexter is cheaper than Ann Arbor but close enough to benefit form all the culture and diversity that Ann arbor has to offer.

[Meg Lesher]

Dexter is nice but be aware that it's proximity to Ann Arbor has been noticed; it's growing and prices on housing aren't bargains there, either. Some other nice small towns in the region include Whitmore Lake to the north, Manchester to the southwest, and Milan to the south of Ann Arbor. Good luck in your search.

[Virginia1]

Thanks for the information guys. Considering Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor area and believe it or not downtown Detroit, but Detroit may be a stretch. Coming up next week for a few informal interviews at the hospitals and check things out. Fiance lives in Flint and have some idea of what Michigan is going through and the issues. Just have to not read some of the negative stuff and I may move up. Again thanks.

[CoffeeAddict]

You may want to consider Brighton. It's about 15 minutes by freeway from Ann Arbor. I know quite a few people who make the commute and they say it's not bad at all.

Brighton is a pretty nice town, lots of new development going on, nice (if slow) downtown, and plenty of beautiful homes. It's a fairly upscale neighborhood, but you can find average homes not far from the million dollar mansions. I think the housing prices are less expensive than Ann Arbor (assuming you're not looking for one of those mansions).

[M TYPE X]

In this order of personal preference:

1) Dexter
2) Saline
3) Chelsea
4) Brighton

I would rank Brighton above Chelsea, but the commute up/down US-23 can be rough.

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Virginia1

Thanks for the information guys. Considering Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor area and believe it or not downtown Detroit, but Detroit may be a stretch. Coming up next week for a few informal interviews at the hospitals and check things out. Fiance lives in Flint and have some idea of what Michigan is going through and the issues. Just have to not read some of the negative stuff and I may move up. Again thanks.

I might be mis-reading you, but if you're working in Ann Arbor, don't move to GR. The commute will kill you (2 hours).

If you're looking at Ann Arbor & Grand Rapids for places to live they're very different but each has their perks and I think they're two of the nicer areas of the state (with my personal preference going to Ann Arbor)

[Virginia1]

I presently live in Va. Beach, fiance lives in Flint. My interviews went well at both places. UM hospitals and a hospital in GR. I spent a few hours with a real estate agent driving around GR and hung around the downtown area and even checked out some condos. GR was very nice and I could afford to live there even within the city. I did not have the same opportunity in Ann Arbor to see city. I was in the UM hospital complex and that was about it. I have noticed that real estate is more expensive. So I have a choice to make. Thanks for the information, much appreciated.

[athletesfoot]

I loved living in Ann Arbor when I was there and I have to go visit every time I'm back in MI, although I realized housing can be a problem. But, as people have mentioned, the surrounding areas are also very nice. Grand Rapids is also nice, I used to go there a couple of times a year for conventions and the city was very walkable and fun. I think either way, you'll probably be happy with your selection.

[NittanyLion]

Try Saline, it's a very nice town with good schools. Houses also aren't as much as they used to be. You can get a nice house in an older neighborhood for about $170,000-$200,000. Saline has a lovely downtown. It was ranked 43th of the great places to live.