Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a scenic, bustling university town with a walkable downtown brimming with arts and culture. Founded in 1824, it lies west of Detroit across 29 square miles of hills and valleys. Its downtown streets are laid out on a grid, with major roads branching out to surrounding highways. Its median age is 27.5 (2022). The University of Michigan shapes much of the town’s economy, which also receives a boost from the tech sector.

When it comes to real estate, Ann Arbor features architectural styles ranging from Victorian, Greek Revival, and Queen Anne to Craftsman, Ranch, and Contemporary. The typical home value is $482,100, up 10.5% over the past year (Zillow, 2022). Adding to the town’s appeal are the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair (the largest juried art fair in the nation), the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, and the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival.

Three highways surround the town: I-94, U.S. Highway 23, and Michigan Highway 14. Just east of I-94 is the Old West Side neighborhood, a historic district filled with Cape Cod-style homes. To the southeast is historic Burns Park, where old homes stand on tree-lined streets. Further east is Angell, home to student housing, as well as some of the city’s largest and priciest homes.

In Ann Arbor, people of all ages can enjoy a combination of metropolitan flair and small-town delights.