Long weekend in A2, considering move. What should we see/do? (Ann Arbor: apartment, rentals)

[tcmi12]

Hi there! My boyfriend and I (both 24) are very seriously considering moving to Ann Arbor later this year. After almost two years of struggling trying to get a toehold in NYC, we're ready to move on to a smaller city back in the Midwest (where we went to college). We've spent a little bit of time in A2, and have a number of friends and family who have lived there over the years and loved it. In addition, I have spent every summer of my life at the family cabin in northern Michigan and would simply die of happiness to officially call Michigan my home state. From everything I've heard/read/seen about the city, it sounds like exactly the kind of place we want to live at this point in our lives.

Before we take the plunge, though, we're planning to spend a long weekend in Ann Arbor at the end of May, really exploring the city, its neighborhoods, and all the cool things it has to offer, to make sure it's what we want. Which brings me to my question... what places do you recommend we check out to get the full Ann Arbor experience in 3 days? What are the must-sees? What are some experiences we should have that truly reflect the spirit of the city? Any specific neighborhoods we should check out? I like the sound of the Old West Side and Kerrytown.

My only concern, though, is that if we wait until May or June to start looking for an apartment, we won't be able to find anything because rentals for late summer/fall are being advertised now. Is this concern unfounded? Do you have any thoughts or advice on finding housing over the summer?

Thanks, everyone!

[scorpio516]

Originally Posted by tcmi12

Which brings me to my question... what places do you recommend we check out to get the full Ann Arbor experience in 3 days? What are the must-sees? What are some experiences we should have that truly reflect the spirit of the city? Any specific neighborhoods we should check out? I like the sound of the Old West Side and Kerrytown.

Park at the structure at Ann & Miller. Walk down main street to Williams. Down williams a block to 4th and go back up to Liberty. Walk down Liberty to State st. Go south to South University. Take a minute to walk through the law quad, then back on South U to Washtenaw. North on Washtenaw to North University. Back to State st, down Washington to Main then back to your car.
That loop would give you a good feel for what I think makes Ann Arbor great - the vibrant downtown.

My only concern, though, is that if we wait until May or June to start looking for an apartment, we won't be able to find anything because rentals for late summer/fall are being advertised now. Is this concern unfounded? Do you have any thoughts or advice on finding housing over the summer?

It's only a concern if you want to live on campus, with students. Any place not in walking distance of campus will have some availability for almost immediate move-in.