Essential Amenities in Ann Arbor: What Renters Love

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Right in the heart of Michigan, Ann Arbor shines as a place where the energy of the city blends perfectly with the warmth of a small town. This cool mix is exactly why people looking for apartments for rent in Ann Arbor get the best of both worlds: An active, yet cozy living experience with plenty of apartment amenities.

Living in Ann Arbor isn’t just about finding a rental apartment that you like; it’s about diving into a lifestyle that’s rich with different cultures, beautiful parks and top-notch schools. The special features you’ll find when searching for rental apartments here are what tie renters to Ann Arbor’s unique vibe, making everyday life better.

Let’s get straight to it and explore the top 10 amenities that are all the rage in Ann Arbor, guiding you to an apartment that genuinely feels like your own space.

Bike storage and repair stations

Backing up the city’s love for bikes, apartments that provide bike storage and repair facilities are a huge win for all the cyclists out there. This coveted apartment amenity really gets what biking in Ann Arbor is all about, thanks to all the trails and bike lanes around that make it very easy for local renters to choose biking as their main way to get around.

Covered bicycle parking accessible for renters in an apartment community.

Energy-efficient features and solar panels

Reflecting the community’s dedication to sustainability, apartments boasting energy-efficient solutions and solar panels are in high demand in Ann Arbor. These cool perks show the city’s commitment to the environment, giving renters the bonus of lower utility bills and making less of an impact on the planet.

Community gardens

Showing off Ann Arbor’s love for all things green, apartment complexes with community gardens provide renters a lush spot to grow their own veggies and herbs. This cool feature helps people feel more connected to their neighbors and taps into the local scene of organic eating and farming.

Lush and organic community vegetable, fruit and herb garden in summer with wooden sign.

Proximity to public transportation

The value of apartments with seamless access to TheRide city buses and the University of Michigan’s transport services cannot be overstated when renting in Ann Arbor. This convenience ensures renters can effortlessly explore the city’s cultural richness and vibrant social scene.

Indoor and outdoor study spaces

Catering to the student crowd, apartments in Ann Arbor with quiet study spots — both indoors and outdoors — really reflect the city’s academic vibe. These spaces are a welcome amenity for both students and faculty staff, offering the perfect spot to hit the books or get some work done.

Full length portrait of two students sitting on green grass in campus and studying outdoors.

Event and cultural programming

Communities that engage renters with local culture through events like art workshops and music festivals truly enrich the living experience in Ann Arbor. These apartment amenities serve as conduits to the city’s bustling arts and cultural landscape.

On-site or nearby coffee shops

Capitalizing on Ann Arbor’s celebrated coffee culture, apartments with on-site coffee shops or close to coffee shops are a big hit among local renters. This amenity offers residents a slice of the local coffee scene, allowing them to savor top-tier brews without having to go far from home.

Interior of a coffee shop with a barista preparing coffee for a customer.

Eco-friendly transportation options

In line with Ann Arbor’s sustainability ethos, apartments facilitating eco-friendly transportation, including electric vehicle charging stations and shared electric scooters, resonate with environmentally mindful renters.

Winterized amenities

Michigan winters are super cold, so apartments that offer winterized comforts such as heated underground parking and indoor heated pools provide a haven from the cold. These amenities ensure year-round comfort and wellness, no matter how icy it gets outside.

Pet amenities with a local twist

Reflecting the city’s love for pets, apartments that have unique pet amenities — like dog parks with agility equipment or washing stations stocked with local pet care products — truly stand out. These amenities cater to pet owners and also blend the city’s pet-friendly culture into the living experience.

Border Collie running out of a tunnel in a dog park with agility equipment, with his ears flapping.

The apartment amenities in Ann Arbor are a testament to the city’s unique blend of culture, values and lifestyle. From the practicality of bike storage and the community spirit of gardens to the cultural enrichment of local programming and the sustainability of green transportation options, these features significantly elevate the renter’s living experience.

As apartment hunters explore their options in Ann Arbor’s highly competitive rental market, they should weigh the benefits of these hyper-local amenities, which offer more than mere convenience. They represent a deeper connection to the community, transforming a simple apartment into a true home, intertwined with the vibrant life of Ann Arbor.

Contemplating a move to a different city? Check out the unique amenities renters love in Los Angeles; Denver; Detroit; Milwaukee; Cincinnati; Portland, OR; and Arlington, VA.

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Veronica Grecu is a senior creative writer and research analyst for RentCafe. With more than 14 years of experience in the real estate industry, she covers a variety of topics in the apartment market, including rental competitiveness, new construction and other industry trends. Her work has been featured in top publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Miami Herald, CNN, CNBC, and more. Prior to RentCafe, Veronica was involved in producing real estate content for Multi-Housing News, Commercial Property Executive and Yardi Matrix. She holds a B.A. in Applied Modern Languages and an M.A. in Advertising and PR.

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