<p>I'm visiting Chicago and Michigan over the span of two days. It is going to be tight schedule-wise. </p>
<p>Having never been to Ann Arbor, can anyone give me some pointers on nice areas to live (looking for a place under $1100). I'd like to try and get a feel for the neighborhoods before winging it.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I did the same route this summer. Unless your driving, try taking the Greyhound bus from Ann Arbor to Chicago.</p>
<p>Amtrak also goes from AA to Chicago. Train station is just north of central campus near the river.</p>
<p>Good to know.</p>
<p>How about nice areas to live southeast of the main campus?</p>
<p>are you a grad student, faculty or what?</p>
<p>yep. grad student with wife and baby :)</p>
<p>2nd question:</p>
<p>what is the best way to get from Detroit airport to campus?</p>
<p>Probably cab or bus I think. I recall seeing a cab from airport to campus being advertised on campus (Just left a few hours ago)</p>
<p>As a grad student w/ a family, you'll want to check out Northwood III as that's the resident apt for families, and that's on North Campus. </p>
<p>You'll probably want to check out State Street (for something to do) as there's a lot of pretty good places to eat in that area. Also downtown area in AA has some good places to visit.</p>
<p>Northwood III is for undergrads. Northwood I, II, IV and V are for grad students and students with families. Off campus, there's not much in terms of apartments that's within walking distance and suitable for a family. Even though Northwood is also not within walking distance of Central Campus, the buses are free and run frequently. Also, you'll be with other grad students. You could try to rent a house, but I doubt you'd find anything for $1100 that would be close to campus. What program are you in?</p>
<p>Ann Arbor is a great place for families with young children! I became a parent while a grad student.</p>
<p>As stated above, Amtrak is a great way to get to Ann Arbor from Chicago (and vice versa) but if you're renting a car anyway, the car trip is faster. I also find pretty decent airfares between Detroit and Chicago sometimes, so checking into that might make some sense.</p>
<p>As for where to live, a lot of the rental options closest to campus are oriented towards groups of students living together, not families, but there are exceptions. Some apartment communities are great for families, and are right on bus lines. The Housing office has some information, and your program might as well (depending on what it is).</p>
<p>snorky,</p>
<p>im getting my MSW (central campus, just east of law school). </p>
<p>Thanks for all of the good advice. My visit this week will be a good barometer for the rental market.</p>
<p>When you're looking at rentals, keep in mind that parking on campus is very difficult and graduate students are able to buy parking permits only for lots located on the far edge of North and South campus - from where you will need to take a bus.</p>
<p>I spent a year doing the "park at Crisler, take the bus" gig and it's not bad. Then I moved closer to campus and walked. Well, and racked up parking tickets galore. Before they went to the gated thing on the parking structures, you could sneak in and take your chances. Bad hoedown.</p>
<p>That sucks! You would think that grad students would get more parking options, not less :)</p>
<p>I've been checking out craigslist and the rentals near where I will be studying are pricey: ballpark is $1200-1400 a month for a modest 2bd apt.</p>
<p>Probably better than craigslist as far as searching for housing/apartments near campus. It is geared more towards younger students, so it might be hard to find something more appropiate for a family. Northwood is also a good option. My first home was up on Northwood while my parents were in the process of moving from Whitmore Lake to Saline :).</p>
<p>Also, pretty much nobody gets good parking options. The only way you can get good parking options on campus is if you're faculty/staff and drop a lot of coin for a blue/gold parking pass, which lets you into the structures/various university lots. If you're not within walking distance, bus is definitely the way to go (get straight if you live near a stop or, like hoedown said, drive to one of the commuter lots).</p>
<p>Seriously, I can't think of any apartment housing near the School of Social Work that would be appropriate for a family. It's mostly single students -- loud parties, sofas on the front porch, beer pong, etc. Maybe you could find a flat or a duplex within walking distance, but I think you're better to either live in Northwood or find an apartment on the city bus line. City bus transportation is free to U-M students. If you have a car, you could try to get an orange permit for one of the remote lots -- but if you have to get on a bus anyway, why not just skip the middle man and take the bus right from your apartment. I think Northwood is a really good option for young families -- there are many families with young kids, they have playgrounds, a preschool - and you know your neighbors are all U-M grad students and student families.</p>
<p>I just took a look at the Northwood virtual tours. They look pretty nice. </p>
<p>I appreciate everyone's input :D</p>
<p>Just saw this in the Daily:</p>
<p>I just got back from Ann Arbor and had a great time. The campus blew me away. Im in Chicago right now at U of C and cant get over how much more impressive the Michigan campus is. </p>
<p>The huge selection of cafes, cheap eats, and bookstores makes for an overall very livable city.</p>
<p>Ann Arbor is unique. I love Chicago too...but for college students, Ann Arbor is hard to match, let alone beat.</p>