Downtown vs. Midtown (Ann Arbor: apartments, lease, mover)

[smb2004]

Hello All,

I have a job working in the RenCen and am currently communicating from my apartment in Ann Arbor which is getting very old very fast. My lease is up in December and an planning on moving closer.

I wanted to get people opinion of moving Downtown vs. Midtown. I know a few people who live in the Midtown area and they praise it, but I feel downtown might have more going on and be easier to move around (more places to walk to, people mover, etc).

For a newly single 25 year old working professional what would you recommend?

Additionally any recommendations on buildings/apartments? I have contacted a few and have found waiting lists at many.

[animatedmartian]

I'd recommend downtown just because it's more convenient and you wouldn't have to worry about parking and whatnot. As far as actually finding apartments downtown, you probably won't find any for probably at least a year.

You'd could probably find a townhouse or apartment in Lafayette Park or an apartment south of Jefferson heading towards Belle Isle. It's still within walking distance of downtown or a short drive depending on how close to Belle Isle you get to.

[Tex?Il?]

I think Midtown is best if you are more into arts and culture, and more of a bohemian, or at least appreciative of bohemain lifestyle. Midtown has the museums, arts-everything, smaller music venues, funky restaurants/cafes.

Downtown is better if you are more of a young professional who may like that stuff but are simply more interested in actual urban convenience, (carless living, close to everyday stuff, bigger events (sports, the big theaters, bigger clubs, etc.)

I think that is the difference, but combined makes both areas combined awesome.

[ForStarters]

Ah, the epic battle: Downtown vs. Midtown.

Standing in one corner, the mighty Central Business District, home of the skyscrapers and stadiums.

In the other corner, the burgeoning Cultural Center, home of the creative corridor and institutions of intellect.

It's the heavyweight title fight of the city. Both are great areas. Each has a completely different vibe than the other. Downtown is business and entertainment. Midtown is culture and learning. Downtown is chic and flashy. Midtown is edgy and trendy. Downtown is for bar hoppers. Midtown is for house partiers. Downtown is bustling and noisy. Midtown is busy and humming. The atmosphere of downtown seems to be worldly. The atmosphere of Midtown seems to be neighborly.

I think either option is a good one, it just depends on who you are and what you want from your surroundings. Downtown would definitely be easier for getting to work. When I was still working downtown, I took the People Mover every morning during lousy weather and walked when it was nice out. I miss those days.

Good luck, and welcome to the city.

[Coldjensens]

Here is my recommendation:

1. If you like what downtown has to offer better than what midtown has to offer - choose downtown and vice versa.

2. Downtown is pretty well sold out right now. If you cannot find a place downtown, choose midtown and vice versa.

3. If you cannot afford downtown, choose midtown. And vice versa (except that i think Downtown is a bit more expensive than midtown.)

In general if you are just out of college and you want to party and look for girls, probably midtown. If you are over 30 or close to it, focused on developing your career and making connections then probably downtown (plus you should join DAC)