$662,713Average Value$518Average Price per Sq Ft18Homes For Sale
College-town charm, big-city activity
In 2024, U.S. News and World Report ranked Ann Arbor as the city with the best quality of life in the United States. One of its biggest appeals is a unique blend of college-town charm and big-city activity, which is most apparent in the vibrant downtown district. "I mean, where to start—the nightlife, the restaurants, the walkability to the University of Michigan are all draws," says Dawn Whitford, a Coldwell Banker Realty agent specializing in Ann Arbor. "People who live downtown thrive on the energy there." Demand for housing is so high that homeowners across the city can generally measure their property's worth by its proximity to downtown. For those who do manage to snag a centrally located condo, prices are higher per square foot than anywhere else in Ann Arbor. But nowhere else has such unlimited access to the heartbeat of one of the most desirable communities in the country.
Downtown Ann Arbor has many large street art murals on its buildings.
Cozy lofts and exquisite penthouses are connected to the pulse of Downtown Ann Arbor.
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Upscale restaurants, late-night clubs and locally sourced groceries
Downtown Ann Arbor must cater to a large crowd — from sophisticated retirees to thrill-seeking college kids. So, an upscale place like Spencer, which serves a pre-set menu based on seasonal ingredients, sits right down the street from a high-energy dance club like Necto. Some of the best-known attractions along this buzzy commercial corridor include the homemade ice cream at Blank Slate Creamery, the beer selection at HopCat and the Cuban cuisine at Frita Batidos. Sava's locally sourced food is a popular choice before catching a movie at the Michigan Theater right next door. And Fleetwood's Diner is open 24-7, making it a popular destination for college kids craving for their iconic Hippie Hash. There are artisan shops, little gift stores, and the beloved Literati Bookstore. There are also more practical amenities, like a post office, a public library, and a YMCA. And between the People's Food Co-op, Argus Farm Stop, and the weekly Ann Arbor Farmers Market, locally-grown groceries are just a walk away.
Pacific Rim’s pan-Asian cuisine reflects the chef’s Asian-American roots in Downtown Ann Arbor.
The Fleetwood Diner has been a staple in Downtown Ann Arbor since 1949.
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"The Big House" is the largest stadium in America and the third-largest in the world.
An epicenter for creative city events
Main Street is often closed to traffic in the summer to create a pedestrian-only mall for events. Nearly half a million visitors flood into town for the Ann Arbor Art Fair, a three-day extravaganza in July that includes a race, a block party and plenty of artisan booths. A2SF is a summer festival of outdoor music and movies, and on Thursdays, there's a live music lunch series at Liberty Plaza. There is always something going on, from film festivals to restaurant weeks to pride parades. And, of course, the city gets decked out in maize and blue in the fall to celebrate the University of Michigan's football team. The Big House stadium — the largest arena in the country — is just over a mile away from downtown. On big event days, locals know not to try to drive anywhere, as the city center will be packed with visitors.
Community of all ages around the University of Michigan
The University of Michigan has over 50,000 students, bringing a youthful and transient population that frequents college-focused bars and throws the occasional rowdy party. But non-students who choose to live here often embrace that college-town lifestyle. "I go to University programs, museums and lectures, all for free," says Ann Arbor local Chris Crocket, who has lived about a 10-minute walk from the University for over 40 years. She says that proximity to the college is one of her favorite aspects of living in the heart of the city. "It draws in world-famous orchestras, all sorts of performers and political figures, too — so it's not uncommon to run into famous people." Whitford agrees that downtown isn't solely for students: "I recently closed on a condo there for a couple that was moving from San Antonio to be closer to their kids and grandkids. I think it's an area that is appealing to all ages."
Downtown Ann Arbor is home to the very popular Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is a six-day event showcasing over 180 independent films.
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The Ride bus service is available in and around Downtown Ann Arbor.
No cars are needed to get around the city and beyond
More than anywhere else in the city, living without a car is very doable in downtown Ann Arbor. Almost all of the city's main attractions are within walking distance — including the University and the University Hospital, which are significant employers. Downtown is also a major hub for bus lines that connect to shopping malls and nearby cities. A high-speed commuter bus going out to Ypsilanti was added in 2024, and the Michigan Flyer departs from downtown multiple times a day, going north to East Lansing or east to Detroit Metro Airport. There's an Amtrak train station, and the D2A2 bus offers one-hour trips to Detroit for only a few dollars. As part of an ongoing project, many of downtown's streets now include bike lanes protected from the main road by a median. So, by foot, bus or bike, downtown residents can get around without a car. And it's a good thing, too — because the parking downtown is quite limited.
Condo living in an incredibly competitive market
It's mostly condo living in downtown Ann Arbor, and there's a massive demand for housing. Historic buildings feature wrought iron balconies, and modern glass towers get so tall that the Big House scoreboard is visible from the living room. It's rare to see a condo in the city's heart go on the market, and the price per square foot will usually be higher than anywhere else in the greater Ann Arbor area. A condo with 400 square feet can start at around $200,000 and get up to $1 million for 2,000 square feet. Though the initial price could seem like a good deal for such a central location, units come with monthly condo fees that could be anywhere from $300 to over $1,000. Parking varies based on the building, but most offer reserved underground spots. Nearly 90% of the neighborhood rents apartments, and there are plans for new complexes to address the rising demand for housing.
Condos in Downtown Ann Arbor start at $150k for a studio and over a million for a penthouse.
Whether looking for a high-rise home or a stylish mixed-use building, Downtown Ann Arbor has it.
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Public school zoning and popular alternative options
The zoning for public schools can vary based on home location, but most kids start at Bach Elementary, which gets an A rating from Niche. The most likely next step is Slauson Middle and then Pioneer High. Both schools get top grades of A-plus. The magnet school Community High is located just north of downtown and has a highly competitive lottery system to get in. The school promotes independent learning with college-like block scheduling and the chance for students to design their own courses. For preschool through kindergarten, the Doughty Montessori school provides a student-led intro to schooling, but it also has a high demand and limited spaces.
Welcome to Bach Elementary School in the Old Westside neighborhood.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ilze Chesney,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Hanover Square Park
Gallup Park
Fishing
Lake
Events
Liberty Plaza
Multi-Purpose Field
West Park
Basketball
Bike Trails
Lake
North Main Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Sculpture Plaza
Picnic Area
Multi-Purpose Field
Transit
Airport
Detroit Metro Wayne County
39 min drive
Bus
William & Main
Bus
S - Huron East Of 5th
Bus
Blake Transit Center
Bus
Madison & Rail Road Tracks
Bus
E- Fouth & Washington
Bus
E- State South Of William
Bus
East Quad Willard
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Ann Arbor
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor over the last 12 months is $471,795, up 6% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to The Gallery, Urban living on the edge of the popular Old West Side neighborhood. Expansive windows flood light into this 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo with 9 foot ceilings. The open great room, dining and kitchen offers the best entertainment space for all types of gatherings large and small. The chef's kitchen has stunning porcelain countertops with full backsplash and top of the line
Come and enjoy furnished one bedroom units in beautiful Ashley Terrace, a beautiful condominium building just steps from downtown Ann Arbor and few minutes to the University of Michigan hospital and campus. Open the door to granite countertop kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wood cabinets, and breakfast bar which opens to dining area and living room, and half bathroom for guests. The
Come and enjoy one of the largest one bedroom units to be found in Ashley Terrace, a beautiful condominium building just steps from downtown Ann Arbor and few minutes to the University of Michigan hospital and campus. Open the door to a large granite countertop kitchen with stainless steel appliances, wood cabinets, and breakfast bar which opens to a spacious dining area and living room with
::UofM Student Housing Property::NOW LEASING FOR FALL 2025!Secure Your Spot Early: By signing a lease now, you can ensure your choice of apartment style. This means you won't have to compromise on your living situation.Avoid the Dorm Experience: University Towers provides a more independent lifestyle compared to traditional dorms. Enjoy the freedom of having your own space
Beautiful 2 bedroom plus flex room, 2 full bath condo in popular Ashley Terrace. Very spacious meticulously maintained unit with hardwood floors throughout and thoughful, well-designed floor plan with bedrooms located on either side of main living space. Kitchen has 42 inch cabinets, granite counters and stainless appliances. Primary bedroom has extensive closet system and large, nicely
Six11 provides fully furnished, modern apartments equipped with stainless steel kitchen appliances, granite counter tops, hardwood-style flooring, in-unit washer & dryer, and a 50-inch living room TV. Located steps from University of Michigan, residents enjoy state-of-the-art amenities such as a penthouse lounge with panoramic views, rooftop terrace with fire pits and grill stations, and a
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ilze Chesney,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
9,192
Median Age
25
Population Density
45 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
3%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$37,848
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$57,990
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.3%
College Graduates
67.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
31.7%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
54.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
54''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
87/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
97/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
78/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
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