With excellent public schools, globally inspired dining, unique retail, world-class arts and culture, and low crime rates, Ann Arbor is a very attractive place to live for students.

Make the college town your home by booking one of the student apartments in Ann Arbor listed by Student.com. We offer off-campus housing that is modern and affordable. Our apartments near campus are also located close to downtown Ann Arbor’s main attractions and shopping.

If you want more information on how you can find cheap apartments or more luxurious studios in Ann Arbor, give us a call or message us on live chat.

Get to know Ann Arbor

Vibrant, entertaining, full of charm, and loaded with cool arts, culture, and exciting college sports, Ann Arbor might just be the perfect student town.

The quintessential American college town has a lot to offer an energetic student population.

Enjoy a charming, historic main street lined with a variety of top-notch fine dining, bookstores, gift shops, and taverns, shop or explore the quirky stores and cobbled streets of historic Kerrytown, visit a diverse selection of museums and galleries, unwind with electrifying nightlife, or head to an American football game at the massive Michigan Stadium.

With a population of more than 120,000, Ann Arbor is one of the most populous areas in the state of Michigan. Blessed with strong public schools and a vast variety of cultural and recreational attractions, it is a desirable place for students and foreigners alike. This blend of cultural diversity has led to the development of strong student and international communities.

A city of contrasts

Best known as the home of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is more than a bustling university town, a culinary hotspot, or a tech hub with a walkable downtown.

Rural and urban, sporty and smart, outdoorsy and high-tech, counterculture and high society, and a healthy mix of long-time residents and shorter-term passers-through, it is also a city of contrasts.

Discover all that awaits in the outdoors

While vibrant and cosmopolitan, “Tree Town” is also blessed with stunning areas of natural beauty perfect for finding some peace and tranquillity from the buzz of the area’s dynamic nightlife, music, public events, and art and culture scenes.

With more than 50,000 trees and a plethora of parks, the city earned the nickname by virtue of the dense forestation of its parks and residential areas.

Situated amid rolling hills and bisected by the Huron River, Ann Arbor presents several options for outdoor recreation throughout the year.

Due to a robust public parks system, most of Ann Arbor’s residents live within a 10-minute walk of a public park. And they come in all shapes and sizes, from playgrounds, baseball diamonds, skate parks, canoe liveries, and disc golf courses.

From kayaking and mountain biking in warmer months to snowshoeing and ice skating in the winter, there will be plenty of ways to experience an adventure by celebrating the outdoors in all four seasons.

Student life in Ann Arbor 

In between study breaks, there are plenty of opportunities for students to get engulfed in all the trappings of a stereotypical Midwestern college town.

Regardless of why you travel to Ann Arbor, there is something to grab your attention, from engaging events, enticing nightlife, interesting art and music, amazing food, and world-class attractions to unique retail.

And it usually begins on Main Street, the beating heart of Ann Arbor’s dynamic downtown area.

Main Street

Bursting at the seams with vibrant music venues, progressive restaurants, creative cocktail bars, unique meeting spaces, and inspiring art galleries, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic and exciting area of Ann Arbor than Main Street.

Dining

Perhaps what most defines the Main Street area is its award-winning, top-notch fine dining.

Located in one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the nation, Ann Arbor serves up mouth-watering dishes that will lighten up your taste buds.

Whether a five-star international meal or a local favourite, the flavours are as varied as the communities that serve them up. Enjoy the steaks at The Chop House, the Asian-inspired menu at Pacific Rim, the Cuban-inspired cuisine at Frita Batidos, and fast-casual Greek food at Kouzina.

Savour some fresh farm-to-table delights from Grange Kitchen & Bar, known for its unwavering commitment to local farmers. Break your fast with healthful comfort food at Avalon Cafe & Kitchen and the crepes and waffles at Cafe Zola.

Nightlife

The bar scene is another highlight of Main Street. For pre-prohibition-style cocktails and great food, check out The Last Word, the speakeasy-style underground hidden gem.

If you are more of a wine drinker, the wine list at The Earle is second-to-none.

For casual drinks or to sample a martini made with Michigan spirits, you can always check out one of Michigan’s trendy clubs. The state’s nightlife is great for unwinding and celebrating study breaks. Enjoy live music, or dance the night away in nightclubs, bars, music halls, and entertainment hot spots throughout the state.

Events

Whether you want to immerse yourself in local culture or celebrate the seasons, you are certain to find events or festivals that interest you in Ann Arbor or across the state from world-class events to small-town festivals and everything in between.

Events are frequently held in the Main Street area, especially in the summer. Wander down Main Street during the Rolling Sculpture Car Show for a look at the past and present in automotive awesomeness in July.

If you’re a ‘foodie’, you can eat your way through festivals in Ann Arbor and across the state. Don’t miss Taste of Ann Arbor for small bites from many local restaurants, or the discounted meals and special menus from dozens of restaurants during ‘Ann Arbor Restaurant Week’.

Shopping

Retail is such a big deal in Ann Arbor that the Main Street area hosts several annual events to celebrate the retailers in the district.

Find unique imported goods at Ten Thousand Villages and The Himalayan Bazaar or grab Detroit-made luxury items at Shinola.

Find all the University of Michigan sports gear you need at the Main Street M Den, or general athletic apparel, footwear, and accessories for sports and outdoor recreation at Moosejaw and Running Fit.

Getting around

The growing population of downtown Ann Arbor enjoys the same level of walkability as New York or San Francisco.

If walking is too exhaustive for you, cycling is big in Ann Arbor. The city’s “People-Friendly Streets” initiative has implemented a more extensive network of protected bike lanes through the city’s popular downtown core.

For travel outside of the city’s core, the public bus system offers a viable transit alternative to virtually anywhere within Ann Arbor and neighbouring Ypsilanti.

When you need a getaway, there’s no shortage of options for out-of-town travel. Ann Arbor is a one-hour drive from downtown Detroit, and five hours or less from Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, and Cleveland. The city is served by air through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which is an easy 20-minute drive from most points in town.

If you prefer to travel by train, catch the Amtrak line on the north side of downtown to destinations including Chicago to the west and Detroit to the east.

Where to study in Ann Arbor?

There are several educational institutions in Ann Arbor: two private universities, two public universities, and one community college offering two-year degrees.

The most well known of all is easily the University of Michigan.

University of Michigan

A public university founded in 1817, the University of Michigan is a top-ranked, and one of the most prestigious, public universities in the United States. It’s ranked as the 23rd best university in the world, 11th in the USA and the best public university in the USA in the 2022 QS World University Rankings.

An institution with deep traditions, the University of Michigan has a tradition of excellence in research, learning, teaching, sports, and the arts.

Lauded for having high standards of research, Michigan is well respected for its graduate and undergraduate programs, placing 1st and 12th in the 2022 QS Subject Rankings, respectively.

It offers over 250 undergraduate majors, 100 doctoral, and 200 master’s programmes. The university offers its undergraduate degree programs across 15 of U-M’s 19 schools and colleges. Its comprehensive graduate program offers doctoral degrees in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), social sciences, and the humanities.

The institution also offers professional degrees in architecture, business, medicine, law, pharmacy, nursing, social work, public health, and dentistry to its large student body of around 46,000.

With a body of living alumni surpassing half a million people, Michigan has one of the largest alumni bases of any university in the world.

Frequently asked questions about student apartments in Ann Arbor

How do I apply for off-campus housing in Ann Arbor on Student.com?

To apply for one of the prime student housing options in Ann Arbor that we offer, you can use our search and location features to compare properties based on things like budget, amenities, and locations.

After choosing the property you want to book, go to the property page by clicking ‘View rooms’. On the property page you’ll need to choose your preferred room type. Once you’ve chosen, click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now’. One of our booking consultants will be in touch with you to complete the booking process.

What are the different types of student rooms you offer?

Student.com offers three types of rooms in Ann Arbor. Do note however, that not all properties listed offer all three room types.

Shared Rooms allow two people to share a bedroom. Other living facilities are shared with your roommate as well as with other students.

Private Rooms allow you to have a bedroom just for yourself. Your bathroom might be either private or shared depending on the property. Other facilities are shared with other students.

Entire Place is a fully self-contained studio property with completely private living facilities. You’ll have your own bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette and won’t have to share anything with others. The perfect choice if you love your privacy!

Do you offer apartments near campus and in the downtown area?

Yes, we offer housing both in downtown Ann Arbor as well as right next to the University of Michigan Central Campus, with good links to other UMich campuses as well.

Are bills included in the rent?

This will depend on the property you want to rent. A few properties we currently list in Ann Arbor include at least some of the bills, but in others you’ll have to also pay bills on top of your rent. You can check the property page of any property you’re interested in to see what bills are included in that particular apartment.

Are the apartments fully furnished?

Currently most of the student properties we list in Ann Arbor are fully furnished. Make sure to check on the property page if this is the case with the property you want to rent though.

Will I need a visa to study in the USA?

Yes, if you’re not a US citizen, you’ll need to acquire a student visa issued by a US Embassy or consulate.

You can find more information on a US student visa here.