University of Michigan Housing Situation

[ajmataz]

So, is it faux pas that I'm not going to U Mich. medical school, but rather the college of pharmacy? Will I be flamed and taken to the gallows?

I was premed in undergrad, will that count?

Oh, well. I still need help.

I'm looking to buy a house rather then renting. My girlfriend is moving with me with our dog, and we're tired of living in an apartment.

What areas around Ann Arbor are close enough for a comfortable commute? I've heard Yspsilanti is a sweet area and cheaper - any other suggestions from veterans?

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[mayoree]

Well, I just graduated from UM undergrad, but I can give you the basics on finding someplace to live. If you're in the school of Pharmacy, you'll either need to ride the bus in or drive to campus everyday because there aren't any condos or apartments for sale in that area. Moving further out to find a condo, or house, you have two options: the ****ty houses in the student ghetto of Ann Arbor (which are very pricey) or the nice condos (which are also pricey). Move out even further, and you have a choice of living in Ypsilanti: much lower taxes, gas prices, and housing prices. Only problem is that it is a good 15 minute drive from campus (on a good day without a lot of traffic (hahahahah, like that exists)). If I were you, I would try to find a condo near the mall in Ann Arbor. That would put you close enough to drive to the commuter lot (free parking!!) and take a bus (also free with your ID) that will park you right at the door of the School of Pharmacy. Those condos will run you about $100k to about $250k. The trick is to get a realtor who can show you houses in your price range. I'm getting out of Ann Arbor and heading to Baltimore (a whole new level of expensive), but I know all this because my sister is a d-student and owns a condo in that area. Good Luck! 🙂

So, is it faux pas that I'm not going to U Mich. medical school, but rather the college of pharmacy? Will I be flamed and taken to the gallows?

I was premed in undergrad, will that count?

Oh, well. I still need help.

I'm looking to buy a house rather then renting. My girlfriend is moving with me with our dog, and we're tired of living in an apartment.

What areas around Ann Arbor are close enough for a comfortable commute? I've heard Yspsilanti is a sweet area and cheaper - any other suggestions from veterans?

 

[bugmenot]

Ypsi isn't particularly nice, especially the east side and the area around Eastern Michigan University. There are lots of condos and smaller houses on the southeast side of Ann Arbor in the Washtenaw-Huron Parkway area (south of Washtenaw especially) that can be bought for under $100,000. The Northside neighborhood on the north side (obviously) of town also has inexpensive houses. Geddes Lakes condos on the northeast side are also pretty nice and in the neighborhood of $125-$135k. You could get buses from either of these areas to campus. Alternatively, as was previously stated, the area around Briarwood mall has lots of condos. The traffic on that side of town particularly sucks but you could buy the parking pass for the Chrysler Arena lot and take the commuter bus to campus. Either way, most of these areas are a lot nicer than Ypsi and the places are more likely to hold their value in the Michigan economy.

 

[ajmataz]

Thanks for the comments. One of the med. students at U.Mich is going to pass the name of her realtor and help me look for a place.

 

[judgehopkins]

The absolute best option is to commute from EL!

 

[clowden]

I went to undergrad at UM and my sister went to undergrad and grad there...so I know a little. Ypsi is cheap and close, but not too exciting, working class, and you would need to take the Ann Arbor bus in. There aren't many (any?) commuter lots on that side of town to park and take the UM bus in.

I would highly recommend the condos/townhouses on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. There are MANY out by Briarwood Mall on Eisenhower and surrounding areas (Eisenhower between State and Ann Arbor Saline Rd. and also Main between Eisenhower and Ann Arbor Saline) on the South side. Plus you could park at the Tennis Center commuter lot and take the bus in every morning. There isn't so much on the North Side, but there is a little bit in terms of condos.

If you want to find a house house then definitely look around. Ann Arbor is expensive, but I think there are decent houses to be found in the 200k range. Good luck and PM me if you have any questions.

 

[ajmataz]

The absolute best option is to commute from EL!

where?