Resident Life

Ann Arbor combines a small-town atmosphere with the diverse educational, cultural and recreational opportunities of a big city.

he performing arts, recreational activities on land and water, an array of restaurants, shops, add to Ann Arbor's charm and distinction.

Special events include the Ann Arbor Art Fair, the weekly Farmer's Market, antiques shows during spring and early fall, and annual events like the Ann Arbor Film Festival, Ann Arbor Folk Festival, Ann Arbor Restaurant Week, and the Summer Festival.

Residents Recommend

  • Restaurants. More than 300 to choose from in a variety of cuisines and price ranges.
  • Running. Plenty of trails, including many near campus.
  • Huron River. Right in our backyard, this nationally designated water trail offers endless recreation, including kayaking and fishing.
  • College sports. Football Saturdays at the Big House are just the beginning.
  • Downtown. It’s easy to navigate Ann Arbor’s vibrant scene.
  • Golf. House officers may play golf at one of the University's two golf courses or at one of the city's two municipal courses.
  • Cultural events all year long, in any season — both on campus and off campus.

Housing

The majority of house officers choose to rent homes or apartments near the medical center. There are many resources to find housing on or close to campus. Many residents find that the House Officer compensation package makes the cost of living in Ann Arbor very manageable.

Explore Ann Arbor

 

Residents Say

“Ann Arbor has been a wonderful place to live throughout my entire medical training. It is a young, progressive, diverse small city with walkable neighborhoods, great architecture and plentiful green space. When COVID shut down indoor dining, the city expanded outdoor seating, and a thriving pop-up scene emerged. Our local concert venues are re-opening, and I’m looking forward to going back to basement shows and basketball and hockey games. Ann Arbor is only 40 minutes away from Detroit, with myriad cultural activities, museums, professional sports and restaurants. I also have two young children, and the City of Ann Arbor offers endless activities, parks and phenomenal public schools.” -John Greco, MD PhD, Class of 2022"

"I love living in the Ann Arbor area because there are limitless, easily accessible ways to decompress after work, whether it's biking on the B2B trail, paddleboarding on the Huron River, reading in the Arb, or meeting my co-residents for milkshakes at Pizza House." -Emily Ager, MD, Class of 2024

“Ann Arbor truly offers something for everybody: fantastic restaurants and bars to try with new ones cropping up all the time, easy access to trails, parks, and the Huron river for nature lovers, the largest football stadium in the country for sports fans, and so much more. The university attracts people from all over the world and the city has a charm that makes them glad they came.” - Jake Hirschl, MD, Class of 2025