Commuting between Ann Arbor/Detroit and commuting in general

[WallowaWanderer]

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Are there any Detroit residents out there who commute from Ann Arbor? It looks like it would be a stretch but I was wondering if anyone has personal experience with this.

And on a more general note . . . Commuting in residency - who does it? How far is too far?

 

[katrinadams9]

I commute from Livonia, which is between Detroit and Ann Arbor. There are quite a few residents at the Detroit programs who live here, most with families. The singles seem to congregate in Royal Oak because it's got the hip bar and coffee house scene. I like living in Livonia. Very quiet neighborhoods, nice parks, great rec center, nice golf courses. It's about a 25 minute commute to most of the programs from here. The closest is Sinai Grace, which is about 15 minutes away.

To answer your specific question, Ann Arbor would be do-able. It would probably be more like a 35-40 minute drive (depending on traffic). It's also a little more expensive to live in AA because it's a college town, so you might want to factor that in as well.

 

[Jeff698]

Commuting in general...

I drive about 20 miles to and from. That puts me in the middle of the country where I am. 🙂 That's about a 25 minute drive, including stop lights.

I listen to my iPod loaded with CME stuff from EMRAPs, EM:Abstracts and CMEDownload.com. It keeps me occupied, speeds the drive and I learn something from time to time. Very doable. In fact, I'd prefer it over being 5 minutes away. It gives me some time to unwind before getting home.

Take care,
Jeff

 

[NKMU]

I asked a similar question last year:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=391794

I ended up with the ~27 minute drive I mentioned. Most others at my program live within 10 or 15 minutes, so they think I have a terrible commute, but I have no problem with it. I'd drive even further to live where I live. I think my personal cutoff would be about 45 minutes. The great thing about living in the semi-rural southeastern united states is that a 45 minute drive can take you really far (compared to a 45 minute drive across the city in a more urban area).

 

[Dr.Evil1]

Yes people commute from Ann Arbor to Detroit on a regular basis. One of our assistant PDs lives in Ann Arbor and one of the toxicologists lives in Ann Arbor as well. It is really easy to do but has it's disadvantages as well, it all comes down to personal choice. Whatever the case you could always rent a place wherever and if you were unhappy with it move. I have a nice place in Royal Oak that I may be renting as a result of the weak housing market 😡.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

i'm not in a detroit area residency, but i was born and raised in metro detroit, and lived in ann arbor for 6 years. i have the following opinion....

I wouldn't live in ann arbor if i was planning on working in detroit. ann arbor to downtown detroit (i.e. Henry Ford, DRH) is pushing an hour commute, despite what others say. Sinai-Grace may be in the 45 minute range. Plus, if there is an accident or incliment weather, you're looking at even longer.

now this begs the question, why would you want to live so far away? do you have a sig other or something in ann arbor?

i know of plenty of couples where one matched at UM and the other downtown. they tend to live in canton, livonia, plymouth, etc. they're basically midpoint between the two towns with easy freeway access along the M-14, I-275, I-96 corridor.

and a general opinion on commuting...i hate it. i live 12 minutes from my hospital and its too long sometimes. time spent in the car, even if its spent decompressing or listening to EMRAP or whatever, is not as good spent at home or actually doing something. i think anything longer than 20 minutes just ain't worth it.

 

[joeG]

The only thing you want to do after a long - late night shift - is get home. It is much nicer living close to the hospital where you work.

 

[Greenbbs]

My wife is a resident in Akron, and I'm a resident in Cleveland. Her commute is about 30 mins, and mine is about 40. We chose our location based on highway access and affordability.

It's worth the extra couple of minutes for a better living space and neighborhood and you really get used to the drive.