Where Do I Live Next Year?

Five apartment locations to suit your style of living

—By Lily Karson, Caitlyn Hocker, and Kahler Tomlin

As the leaves begin to fall, it is crucial to find a place to live for the next school year. Three words come to mind: location, rent, and amenities. Other things can be considered as well. Can I make some new friends? Am I close to the party scene? Can I bring my cat or dog? What can I eat around here? To save you some much-needed time, we have discovered five spots to answer those questions and maybe provide you with some insight into your future home.

Play at The One Ann Arbor

Don’t want to leave your beloved animal at home? Look no further than The One Ann Arbor (2327 Erie Drive). With a full yard to play in, as well as walking trails, this is the total package for you and your pet. You and a maximum of four roommates can choose a house or townhome-style living arrangement. Each residence has laundry, furniture, a balcony (by style), and a TV. Single-room rent begins at about $1,800 a month and will decrease depending on how many roommates you have. Starting with one full bathroom, each roommate on the lease adds a half bath. Even though the three-mile walk from the diag is a bit daunting, shuttle service and keeping your pet during an anxiety-filled semester is a win-win.

Crash at Geddes Hill Apartments (CMB Management)

A little off the beaten path nearby Delta Gamma and Phi Kappa Psi, Geddes Hill (1700 Geddes Avenue) is a prime location for those who prefer to be close to Greek life. CMB Management offers an apartment complex with two living options. The ranch-style houses two bedrooms to accommodate four people with one-and-a-half bathrooms for roughly $2,800 total a month. The bi-level style (two floors) can house three to four tenants with two bedrooms and one-and-a-half bathrooms costing about $2,650 total a month. All residences come with a provided TV, DirecTV, a full kitchen to solve those late-night munchies, a balcony, and ample space to prepare with your friends before heading out. After the weekend comes to an end, you and your friends can enjoy free laundry as well as a lounge for ping-pong and pool. With only a 10-minute walk to the diag, Geddes is an under-appreciated spot for value and living space.

Find good eats at Foundry Lofts

For all of the Ann Arbor foodies, imagine living just steps away from your favorite restaurants. Foundry Lofts (413 E Huron Street), located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor, is only a few minutes away from Wolverine Sushi Bar, Stray Hen Cafe, Condado Tacos, and more. The Foundry is also an eight-minute walk from the Farmers Market, hosted every Saturday and Wednesday from 7 am to 3 pm. Featuring 120 vendors from Michigan and Ohio, the Farmers Market is a key place to explore. Not only is The Foundry a staple spot for food lovers, but it also has quite the list of amenities. Residents enjoy a lounge with games and TVs along with grills and firepits on a rooftop deck. When the time comes to study, utilize a brand-new computer lab and multiple study lounges. The Foundry offers many layouts: studio apartments as well as one to six-bedroom configurations, ranging from $1,009 to $2,419 a month. Taking into account the top-notch restaurants nearby and the vast array of living arrangements, you can’t go wrong with Foundry Lofts.

Network at Six11

Love making new friends and seeing them out and about? Six11 (611 East University Avenue) is the perfect apartment building for you. This 14-floor apartment structure is close to Joe’s, Revive & Replenish, and the diag. The social scene at Six11 congregates on the rooftop, with a 24-hour fitness center as well as a terrace with fire pits and grill stations to entertain guests. For those nights of study, enjoy coffee stations and computer monitors to collaborate with your peers. Although Six11 is a revolving social door, it remains pricier in comparison to other residences, with rent ranging from $1,590 to $2,535 per month. Decide between a studio or a four to six-bedroom layout to expand your social circle. One U-M student, Jessica, a senior who has lived in both Foundry Lofts and Six11, deems Six11 “more practical for college students who love an energetic atmosphere.” Regardless of your social battery, the amenities and apartment layouts of Six11 offer a great way for students to maintain friendships and create new ones. 

Budget at Cabrio Rentals

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Ann Arbor, it is hard to find peace and quiet to unwind after a day of learning without spending a pretty penny. Located by the nursing school, this Cabrio Rentals (727 E Kingsley St) apartment complex features residences with two bedrooms, one bathroom, central heat, and one AC unit. With adjacent parking and brand-new appliances for only $950 a month, this is an absolute steal. While its location to the medical school works conveniently for those studying health, a short walk to downtown makes it accessible for any student. When we asked past residents about their living experience, they shared, “We love it so much because it’s homey, less than 10 minutes to the diag, and on a more chill side of things. It’s also so close to the Farmers Market and the downtown area, and student hotspots like Savas and Scorekeepers are less than a 12-minute walk!” With a calming aesthetic, reasonable rent, and a peaceful location, Cabrio Rentals is an all-around special place to call home.

Finding off-campus housing in Ann Arbor follows the same process: research, phone calls, wait, and research some more until you find out rent is way too much. Unfortunately, this is the reality for most U-M students. Being third and fourth-year students ourselves, the search never gets any easier. Hopefully, our list saved you some time and highlighted some possible places for you and your roommates. If not, happy hunting!

Feature photo by Hunter Staples on Unsplash