I Moved to Ann Arbor — Now What? Starting a New Life in A2

I did it. I packed the boxes, changed my address, and landed in Ann Arbor, Michigan — a city small enough to feel cozy, yet dynamic enough to never get boring. Whether you’re here for school, a job, a fresh start, or you just followed a gut feeling, you might be wondering: Now what?

Here’s what I’ve learned (and what I wish I knew sooner) about starting a new life in Ann Arbor.

1. Get Oriented Without Getting Overwhelmed

First things first — Ann Arbor is walkable, bikeable, and surprisingly easy to navigate for a town with so many little pockets. Downtown is the heartbeat, and you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the Kerrytown District, Main Street, and the U-M campus area early on. Google Maps will help, but just walking around with no agenda is the best way to start building your internal map.

💡 Pro tip: Walk the length of Liberty Street from west to east. You’ll see the indie bookstores, vintage shops, coffee spots, and start to feel the city’s rhythm.

2. Plug Into the Local Culture

Ann Arbor loves its traditions — from the Ann Arbor Art Fair to Hash Bash, it seems there’s always something happening. Follow venues like The Ark for music, Michigan Theater for film, and the Ann Arbor District Library for unexpected community events (and free stuff).

Looking for something weirder or more underground? Check out zine fairs at the Neutral Zone or poetry readings tucked into wine bars. This town rewards curiosity.

3. Eat Local, Drink Local

Forget the chains — this is a city where you can build your routine around food. Find your go-to coffee shop (I started at Vertex on Liberty, then fell for Comet Coffee in the Nickels Arcade). Try Zingerman’s at least once (yes, it’s worth the hype), and don’t miss the late-night magic of Fleetwood Diner.

More hidden gems? Explore spots like Frita Batidos, Miss Kim, and Taste Kitchen. Or go ultra-local with the Kerrytown Farmers Market on Saturdays.

4. Get Outside — Yes, Even in Winter

People love to say “Ann Arbor is beautiful in the fall,” but let’s not stop there. You can kayak the Huron River in the summer, skate at Buhr Park in the winter, and hike trails in Bird Hills, Nichols Arboretum, and Dolph Nature Area year-round.

Don’t underestimate the power of nature here. It’s often the best remedy for homesickness or stress.

5. Make the First Move (Socially Speaking)

This part is tough in any new city. Ann Arbor has a ton of transplants and students, so you’re not alone in being new. Start with recurring events — trivia nights, yoga classes, or meetups via the library, Meetup.com, or local coffee shop cork boards.

Whether it’s joining a co-op grocery store like People’s Food Co-op or volunteering at Food Gatherers, the best way to feel like you belong is to show up.

6. Figure Out Your Own “A2 Pace”

Ann Arbor isn’t quite fast-paced urban, but it’s not sleepy either. It exists in this liminal space between a college town and a mid-sized city. Some people bike to campus every day, others telecommute from cozy homes with backyard gardens. Some go out nightly; others retreat into book clubs and birdwatching.

The beauty is that you get to find your own rhythm.

Moving somewhere new is always jarring. There are days you’ll feel out of place, and others where you’ll catch a golden-hour light hitting the Diag and think: Oh. I live here now. This is mine too.

Ann Arbor isn’t loud about welcoming you. But if you stay curious, stay open, and give it a little time — it starts to feel like home.