I don't usually make advice wanting blogs, but after seeing the Ann Arbor LAN thread, I thought it might be worth a shot. My gf is going to the Ford School of Public Public Policy in the fall so we're moving to Ann Arbor.The two big contenders right now are:

Brown Street
and
Division St

Division is closer to where grad students apparently hang out, but lacks ammenities (washer, ac, laundry) and doesn't seem to be in the best neighborhood.

Brown is a really nice place, but seems to be fairly remote from where stuff happens (except her actual school).

I don't know exactly what I'm asking, but any insight into these two options/tips on housing at all would be much appreciated!

EDIT: Link fixed

LosingID8

CA10824 Posts

May 20 2011 03:16 GMT

just an fyi your division st links to adrian, MI not ann arbor

pullarius1

United States522 Posts

May 20 2011 03:18 GMT

Ack, thanks! Fixed.

distant_voice

Germany2521 Posts

May 20 2011 04:03 GMT

unless you need to be "where stuff happens" permanently and unconditionally there doesn't seem to be much competition between your two choices. Brown it is.

Stratoss

Czech Republic129 Posts

May 20 2011 04:20 GMT

I'd go for Brown St., just by watching the google photos of the street. There goes the insight.

decafchicken

United States19917 Posts

May 20 2011 04:34 GMT

Depends how much you care about going out and stuff, division is a great location for that. But if you're not too concerned about that then go for the nicer place at brown. I'm actually going to be hitting up the bars in AA for my buddy's bday tomorrow! :D

imPERSONater

United States1324 Posts

May 20 2011 04:39 GMT

I live in Ann Arbor right now (UofM student). It's an amazing place! Most of the bars people frequent are on South University, but the dining is on Main (close to Division). Not sure where brown is, but the awesome thing about A2 is most everything is in walking distance. Good luck!

AcrossFiveJulys

United States3612 Posts

May 20 2011 05:41 GMT

I'm a grad student at UM. The brown street place is located in a fairly undergrad heavy area, so you can expect parties on your block and the noise that comes with that on the weekends (doubly so when there are home games, as it's close to the stadium). It's not an ideal location in terms of where the action is at, but it's still within 15 minutes walking distance from the bars (though kerrytown, the grad student area, where the farmers market and other good stuff is located, is roughly a 20 minute walk north from that location).

I think the division property is actually one I looked at when I was in the housing market a few months ago. Although the location is pretty good, I wasn't very impressed with the quality of the property for its price and the street outside is very loud (you won't want to keep your window open if this bothers you).

If I had to choose one of these given your position, I'd go with the brown property. But honestly you should keep looking; if you want to be close to the school of public policy but in a less undergrad dense area (and not right next to the stadium) you can try looking at properties west of main street (landlords typically only lease these to grad students and professionals), preferably a bit north of where the brown location is. If you don't mind the noise, the brown location is fine.

pullarius1

United States522 Posts

May 20 2011 13:34 GMT

Thanks for all the advice everyone :-)

Pawsom

United States928 Posts

May 20 2011 14:44 GMT

#10

I have a friend who lived on main street, pretty much just on the other side of the block from your house on brown. It's a very nice location, you're a quick walk to anywhere downtown. I don't think it'll be too loud either. There's definately parties, but last yaer it never got too rowdy.

kezaron

United States5 Posts

May 28 2011 22:45 GMT

#11

OMG OMG OMG OMG LOL LOLOLOL :D :D :D :D

My mom owns 800 Brown, which is the building on the corner of hill and brown, and what the 820 brown appears like on the map.

I personally recommend 800 Brown. We've had some problems with 820 before though. :D

BTW If you do go with the green building, don't park in our parking lot please.

Pawsom

United States928 Posts

May 29 2011 01:11 GMT

#12

On May 29 2011 07:45 kezaron wrote:
OMG OMG OMG OMG LOL LOLOLOL :D :D :D :D

My mom owns 800 Brown, which is the building on the corner of hill and brown, and what the 820 brown appears like on the map.

I personally recommend 800 Brown. We've had some problems with 820 before though. :D

BTW If you do go with the green building, don't park in our parking lot please.

It's a small world.

Hot_Bid

Braavos36362 Posts

May 29 2011 01:17 GMT

#13

i lived in ann arbor for 3 years for school

zingermanssss

kezaron

United States5 Posts

May 29 2011 01:34 GMT

#14

On May 29 2011 10:17 Hot_Bid wrote:
zingermanssss

yum

pullarius1

United States522 Posts

May 29 2011 18:01 GMT

#15

Ha, thanks for all the extra responses. We applied for a lease at the Brown location but the landpeoples are either a)very lazy or b)stringing us along, so we have started looking at other places. The search/stress begins again :-(

pullarius1

United States522 Posts

June 24 2011 04:56 GMT

#16

Just an quick update:
Finally signed our lease for an apartment near the corner of Hill and Brown

It will be interesting to live so close to the field/stadium, but Woohoo! My long, personal nightmare is over.Thanks to everyone for their advice.

And now for a job...