Military spouse here. Crime rate is something to consider — Ann Arbor sits at 251.4 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Is this normal for Ann Arbor? Cheers. The weather takes some getting used to.
48 upvotes
5 Replies
Sophia Campbell
not my experience at all
37 upvotes
Skylar Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 8 years. Moved from Raleigh for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Road conditions need improvement. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Evan Chavez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Downtown. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Violet
Hot take but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
19 upvotes
Madelyn Chavez
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The pet-friendliness is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
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