Soon to be college grad looking to move to Ann Arbor (Ypsilanti: apartments, rental market)

[sbirdw1]

Hi everyone!

I'll be graduating in December with a BA in Retail Merchandising and I've been looking at relocating to Ann Arbor. I'm from Alabama but I've been to Michigan (Charlevoix) and absolutely loved it. I've been working in the book industry for the past few years and have figured that I want to stick with this industry post-graduation. I like Borders books and I think it's a company that I would enjoy working for. These are my questions:

Is Ann Arbor a relatively inexpensive place to live (I have $20,000 in student loan debt that I want to pay off soon)?

Is it easy to meet people in Ann Arbor (I will probably be moving there alone)?

Does anyone on this forum work for Borders? If so, is it likely that they would hire somone who has worked for a rival bookstore the past few years?

Would it be difficult getting a job before moving to Ann Arbor? Or is it more advisable to move there first?

I've lived in Alabama my entire life. I spent the past year studying in Germany and loved the different environment so I know I want to move somewhere outside of my home state.

Thanks for your help!

Best,
Sam

[nessatar]

I would strongly suggest that you line up a job before moving to MI. My niece sent out 50 applications for restaurant work and it took her all summer to get a job in Ann Arbor. It's like that everywhere in the state right now. If you really want to live in MI and you really want to work for a bookstore, I wouldn't limit yourself to one chain. Apply with as many as you can find and hope for an offer. You can always apply at Borders again when a position opens.

As far as expenses go, "inexpensive" is a relative term. Ann Arbor is not the cheapest place in the state. It's not the most expensive either. It also makes a difference whether you are renting or buying. I think we would need more details to really answer that question.

Ann Arbor is an active, urban community. If you are the sort to get out and do things, you will meet people.

[sbirdw1]

Okay. I figured lining up a job would be better but I didn't know if my Alabama address would be an issue. I only say Borders because their corporate office is located in Ann Arbor. I don't really want to work in a bookstore--I would much rather work in the corporate office and work with the marketing team or become a buyer.

I would be looking to rent, definitely. Currently, in small-town Alabama, I'm paying $525 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath. Of course, Ann Arbor is going to be more expensive. I've looked at apartment prices online so I don't really know what answer I was looking for with that question

[nessatar]

Thanks for clarifying. I assumed you were looking into store mgmt. positions, not corporate positions. Sorry! I don't think your address should be a problem, assuming you can come up for interviews.

You will definitely need to increase your rent budget (especially if you need 2 bedrooms), but you are obviously prepared to do that. I haven't rented in a long time, but I suspect you will pay at least $500 for a one bedroom in AA. Personally think that Craigslist the very best option for finding housing. That site should give you a very accurate picture of the rental market in AA.

[GinaJ]

I live about 45 min away from AA. I agree about looking on craigslist. Unless you want a roomie a 1 bedroom would be more in your price range. AA is where u of m etc is so you should be around a lot of young people. I am sorry why did you pick AA other then the part of MI you liked before? Will you be visiting first or just making the move? If you are just coming here before a job you may want to look for a transition things like waiting tables etc. I had done that in the past. Did you go on Borders or Barnes and Nobel is another big store here to see if they have a job link?

[annika08]

Originally Posted by sbirdw1

Okay. I figured lining up a job would be better but I didn't know if my Alabama address would be an issue. I only say Borders because their corporate office is located in Ann Arbor. I don't really want to work in a bookstore--I would much rather work in the corporate office and work with the marketing team or become a buyer.

I would be looking to rent, definitely. Currently, in small-town Alabama, I'm paying $525 for a 2 bedroom, 1 bath. Of course, Ann Arbor is going to be more expensive. I've looked at apartment prices online so I don't really know what answer I was looking for with that question

Ann Arbor is not cheap. My husband and I spend almost $800 a month in rent for a one bedroom apt (and it's a small apt), no utilities included.
We live in a nice place, however, it's clean and quiet and safe and we choose to shell out the extra money to live somewhere we enjoy. I'm sure there are cheaper places.
The neighboring city of Ypsilanti has cheaper apartments, but the area looks more run-down and I think there tends to be more crime on that side of town.

But I will say that Ann Arbor is a great city...so I wish you the best of luck! It's nice that there are people moving here to MI; it seems that lately everyone is leaving...