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Short Profiles of Reader Recommended Towns

In their search for a great retirement spot, readers ask us to profile all kinds of towns, from the places they grew up or attended college to places they have visited in their travels or just heard about from other people.  This page is where we address these profile requests.

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Ann Arbor, Michigan

3/11/10

Leafy Ann Arbor, Michigan (population 115,000), nicknamed "Tree City," is probably best known as the home of the University of Michigan (which has nearly 40,000 students).  The University has a huge influence on the city, from shaping its economy to creating a rich collegiate atmosphere that many retirees find nostalgic and energizing.  Of the population, 18% is age 45 to 64, and 8% is age 65 or better.   The overall cost of living meets the national average, which is surprising for a college town, but the median home price is $205,000.  Historic homes (19th-century) are in the center of town; contemporary homes are found farther out.  Residences on the perimeter of campus are mostly student-occupied.  

This lovely city sits along the Huron River in southeastern Michigan, surrounded by hills and valleys, and despite being only 30 miles from Detroit, it has escaped much of the economic turmoil found in that city and elsewhere in the state.  One of the most densely forested cities in the U.S., Ann Arbor has 50,000 trees, although some are currently falling prey to an insect infestation, and it has nearly 150 public parks.  This is an active metropolis, and there is plenty to keep any retiree busy, from attending boisterous University of Michigan Wolverine football games (the stadium holds 100,000 fans, and games always sell out) to enjoying festivals, museums, galleries, an arboretum, a large farmers' market and the annual art fair.  Or art fairs, really, because this annual July event features several concurrent fairs showcasing all sorts of fine-art talent packed into several city blocks downtown.  Residents also enjoy an opera company, a ballet troupe and a symphony orchestra.

The University of Michigan Medical Center is one of the top hospitals in the country, and the care is excellent.    Crime rates meets the national average, and efficient public transportation is provided by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA).  For anyone not inclined to take the bus, the city recently signed a contract with ZipCars, making it easy for city residents to rent a car for a couple of hours.   Detroit Metropolitan Airport is an international airport with many daily flights.   Senior services are offered by the city and are quite good; they include a senior center, a senior newsletter and a local cable TV show dedicated to senior issues.

Ann Arbor has a lot going for it, but it has drawbacks, too.  The winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures dipping into the teens and snow reaching 10 inches per month (the average summer temperature is just 83 degrees).  College kids are in every nook and cranny, and many businesses cater to them.  Urban sprawl is a problem on the outskirts of town.  The city has a bit of a reputation for being somewhat snobby (and some neighborhoods are experiencing gentrification, which does not sit well with some long-time residents).  And, of course, the city is in Michigan, a state that is having serious economic problems.

Recommended as a Retirement Spot? X Yes   X X

Cold, snowy winters, left-leaning politics and tens of thousands of college students might be drawbacks for some, but Ann Arbor is lush, green and dynamic, offering a reasonable cost of living, excellent medical facilities, a youthful flavor, solid senior services, good public transportation, a variety of housing, great cultural amenities, sporting venues and a moderate crime rate.