Essentials
- City
- Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Population
- 123,851 (2020 Census)
- Internet Speed
- Average 450 Mbps (Xfinity and AT&T Fiber widely available)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar ($). 1 USD = 0.92 EUR (approximate)
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink (monitored by City of Ann Arbor Water Treatment)
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T. Prepaid plans approx. $40-$60/month
- Banking for Expats
- Chase Bank, Bank of America, University of Michigan Credit Union (UMCU)
- Accommodation
- University rentals, high-rise apartments, and Airbnb
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay/Google Pay) accepted everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, Landing (furnished apartments)
- Budget Accommodation
- Baxter House Bed & Breakfast ($140/night), Microtel by Wyndham ($100/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Main Street/Downtown (near restaurants and nightlife)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Old West Side or Kerrytown (walkable, quiet, and historic)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Workile ($35 day pass, 214 S Main St) or Officentre
- Best Cafe for Work
- RoosRoast Coffee (1155 Rosewood St) or Comet Coffee (Nickels Arcade)
- Networking Events
- Ann Arbor New Tech Meetup (at Spark Central)
- Social Events for Expats
- Ann Arbor Expats & International Friends Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Lyft
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Spin Electric Scooters (App-based), Wheels in Motion (Local bike shop)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Silver Lake (Pinckney Recreation Area, 25 mins away)
- Top Regional Airline
- Delta Air Lines (Hub at nearby DTW)
- Top International Airline
- Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, Air France (serving DTW)
- Highway Access
- I-94 (East-West to Detroit/Chicago) and US-23 (North-South)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Ann Arbor Amtrak Station (325 Depot St)
- Public Transport Passes
- TheRide (AAATA) - $1.50 per ride or $58 for a 30-day pass
- Regional Travel
- Michigan Flyer (Bus to DTW Airport/East Lansing), Amtrak
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- University of Michigan Health (Michigan Medicine), 1500 E Medical Center Dr
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Room Ann Arbor, Citizen Yoga (500 E Washington St)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Crunch Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, YMCA of Ann Arbor
- Laundry Services
- Mr. Stadium Laundromat (1300 S Main St)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash, UberEats, Grubhub
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Zingerman's Reuben Sandwich ($18-$25, 422 Detroit St)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Detroit Street Filling Station, Seva Ann Arbor
- Best Dessert Spots
- Blank Slate Creamery (Ice Cream), Washtenaw Dairy (Donuts)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Ann Arbor Farmers Market (Kerrytown), Aldi
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.com, Target.com
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart, Shipt, Whole Foods (via Amazon)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Main Street (Upscale) and South University (Student-focused)
- Local Brewery
- Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery, Wolverine State Brewing Co
- Wine Bars
- The Last Word, Vinology
- Street Food Stalls
- Mark’s Carts (Courtyard food trucks, seasonal)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Frita Batidos (Cuban), Jerusalem Garden (Middle Eastern)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- University of Michigan Law Quad, Michigan Stadium (The Big House)
- Museums & Art Venues
- UM Museum of Art (UMMA), Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
- Historical Sites
- Kempf House Museum, Cobblestone Farm
- Religious Sites
- St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Beth Israel Congregation
- Annual Events
- Ann Arbor Art Fair (July), Ann Arbor Film Festival (March)
- Cultural Districts
- Kerrytown District
- Theater Venues
- Michigan Theater, State Theatre, Hill Auditorium
- Local Markets
- Ann Arbor Farmers Market (Wed/Sat)
- Music Scene
- The Ark (Folk/Acoustic), Blind Pig (Indie/Rock)
- Street Art
- Liberty Street Graffiti Alley
- Cooking Classes
- Zingerman’s Bakehouse (BAKE!)
- Art Galleries
- Graphite Editorial, WSG Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Michigan Union, Burton Memorial Tower
- Local Heritage
- German heritage of early settlers (Old West Side architectural style)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Nichols Arboretum ('The Arb'), Matthei Botanical Gardens
- National Parks Nearby
- Isle Royale (Regional distance), Sleeping Bear Dunes (4 hours)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail, Huron River Water Trail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Cedar Bend Nature Area (Overlooking the Huron River)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Gallup Park, Parker Mill County Park
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Island Lake State Recreation Area (Designated fire rings)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- FedEx Office Ship Center, UPS Store, USPS Post Office (Liberty St)
- Tech Repair Services
- Apple Store (Briarwood Mall), CPR Cell Phone Repair
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ann Arbor Table Tennis Club
- Language Classes
- Michigan Language Center
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Ann Arbor District Library (Downtown Branch), Hatcher Graduate Library
- Community Centers
- Ann Arbor Community Center, Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor
- Gaming Lounges
- Digital Ops (LAN/Gaming Center)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- MGM Grand Detroit (45 mins away)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $260,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $152,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $360,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $210,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $440,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% Federal + 6% Michigan Corporate Income Tax
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for domestic, up to 30% for non-resident aliens (treaty dependent)
- Tax System
- Federal: Worldwide income; State: Residency-based (4.25% flat); City: None
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% Federal + 4.25% Michigan flat tax
- VAT
- 6% State Sales Tax (No City Sales Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, complex US tax code (GILTI/Subpart F)
- Property Tax
- Yes, high rates in Washtenaw County (Approx. 1.8% - 2.2% of market value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax approx. $8.60 per $1,000 of sale price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; standard US tax obligations apply