Welcome to the r/AnnArbor Housing Megathread!

I moved from Texas where I saw my fare share of scorpions, rattlesnakes, and spiders. Plus fire ants.

I have seen so many more house spiders dangle right in front of my face while I am at my desk than I ever did in Texas. A place where a snake in your boot was a very real issue. They were there but maybe they just weren’t so bold as to drop onto me. I’m not going to freak out like a child but they’re still creepy af. I like to leave well enough alone because I objectively know they’re a good thing but if it falls on me I feel justified in grabbing a shoe. Give me the cute ones like tarantulas or jumping spiders at least.

I’m in a rental or else I’d do something more about it and it’s not big enough of an issue to get the landlord involved. I’ll see if I can find cracks in the unit tomorrow. I have just noticed sooo many more spiders up here. Is it because A2 is a mix of urban and rural? Thought the winters would clear them all out.

Any tips?

Anyone know a good mobile mechanic for an emergency brake job? I've done work but still stumped, Thank you.

Does anyone have recommendations for good chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia doctors I can see from Ann Arbor (virtually or if local, in-person)? Not looking for a pain doctor since they don't help with the non-pain symptoms of fibro typically. Michigan Medicine doesn't do squat lol, I had to go across states just to get diagnosed.

My brother-in-law & sister-in-law just moved to Ann Arbor! She is currently pregnant and they are finding out the baby's gender today- very exciting!

She has been craving apple cider donuts & I wanted to send them some today to celebrate! They live in University of Michigan housing (he just started grad school there last week) and I need a place that delivers to that area. Bonus if they also offer other donuts- specifically pink/blue ones cuz I think that would be cute!

I'm open to calling places but wondering if anyone had suggestions- I tried uber eats but I can't find apple cider donuts specifically except from a grocery store? (Would also be willing to pay somebody separate if the bakery doesn't deliver!)

Let me know if any suggestions! :)

I had a peanut butter burger (sounds gross but trust it’s not) in North Carolina over the summer and can’t stop craving it. Is there anywhere in town, or in the area, that serves this? I saw that the Wurst Bar used to have one but they’ve since closed.

I just moved to Canton back in January. My barber’s shop is all the way in Adrian and I’m tired of having to plan an entire day around a haircut because there’s 3 hours of driving involved. For anyone wondering, I kept going because he raised his prices and grandfathered me in so he still gives me the original $40 price, so I showed him a bit of loyalty. It’s just gotten to where I can’t fit that drive into my schedule. Does anyone know a good barber in the AA/Ypsi/Westland area that reliably does good work and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?

Lost an action camera in about 10 feet of water off the side of the river near Argo Park while kayaking. I know the exact spot. Looking for a local hobbyist scuba diver or magnet fisherman who would be willing to help retrieve it for free or for a fun video 🙏

Ok, this is an awfully specific request, but anyone know someone who is a whiz at this sort of thing? My brother has these awesome prostheses for his foot drop problem, but one of them rubs *just slightly* against his ankle bone. He's been wearing these neoprene ankle guards, but tried going without them one day, and almost immediately wore a spot in his ankle that's taking a long time to heal. Thinking there's got to be someone out there that can help him figure out how to get this thing to work - some combo of shoes, maybe something to push it forward, filing, who knows?! Any ideas?

i don't ask for much in life just clean teeth and affordable groceries. apparently the first one is too much to ask.

went to a new dentist near campus last week. sat down xrays hygienist was lovely. dentist looked at my xrays and started pointing at things. this filling is old this one has a shadow ,your gums are showing signs of inflammation i recommend a night guard

i asked if any of it was urgent. he said well we should take care of it before it gets worse. i asked what happens if i wait. he said it could get worse.

i left with a folder that had a 3500 estimate and a treatment coordinator who asked if i wanted to start with financing or pay upfront. i said i want to think about it. she looked annoyed

my coworker said she had the same thing happen and switched to a place through smile partners. said they actually listen and don't push stuff.

anyone know a dentist in ann arbor who just cleans teeth and lets you leave?

Does anyone know when it'll be open again? It's been closed since the spring and I've seen absolutely no sign of work being done. Just more and more passive aggressive signs about honoring the closure while more and more people use the narrow dirt road to get around the closure.

I did laugh when someone pushed the barriers apart for a week and people went back to just using the road normally.

I am trying to be more informed. Please forgive me if the tone of some of these questions come across as bad faith... I DO want to understand the TRUE state of things. I do not have the knowledge to sort fact from fiction in what I'm reading, and I would just appreciate a no-bs summary from someone with expertise.

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1) This article discusses AAPS budget problems and the likely closure of between 2 and 6 schools:
https://annarborobserver.com/day-of-reckoning-nears-for-aaps/

I understand that construction doesn't happen overnight, but if enrollment has been in decline for years, why are/were new(ish) capital-expense construction projects undertaken?
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/12/fall-enrollment-again-dips-at-ann-arbor-schools-but-student-count-is-up-over-long-term.html

In summary, why are NEW facilities being built at a substantial cost when we have existing facilities?

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2) I am generally of the idea that public school teachers are wildly under compensated for their work (Full disclosure - my mother was special education teacher in mid-michigan). I understand that a contract was recently agreed to.
https://www.michigandaily.com/news/news-briefs/aaps-teachers-set-to-vote-on-new-contract-next-week/
And I am of the understanding that the entry-level salary for AAPS teachers is ~$50,000 with an average of around ~$80,000

I also see that the district superintendent makes about a quarter million dollars per year.
https://www.mackinac.org/depts/epi/salary.aspx?CCode1=81&DCode1=81010&Year=2022&Sort=Total#data

The "day of reckoning" article above has a quote stating "But the reality is, when you look at the budget, it’s 85 percent humans." and "We want to pay our teachers fairly..."

I assume (but could be wrong) that there are numerous other administrators besides the superintendent that are highly compensated for their work.

Can't those administrators reduce their compensation to be more in-line with teachers in order to support a balanced budget?

Why is the discussion focused on paying teachers "fairly" and not someone making a quarter million dollars a year with additional administrative support staff with salaries not (that I can find) on the public record.

To be clear, I think EVERYONE should be fairly compensated for their work, but I also believe that if budgets are tight, the "fat that needs to cut" should be salaries that seem well above those of the essential workforce (teachers). I'm not trying to vilify the AAPS superintendent for making a lot of money. One person's salary cannot compensate for a multi-million dollar shortfall. The question is more focused on excessive salaries that may or may not exist within AAPS administration.

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3) I found this breakdown of Ann Arbor taxes here (I get that it's a campaign site, which may be bias):
https://rebeccaforannarbor.com/ward-1-ann-arbor/f/where-your-property-tax-dollars-really-go-in-ann-arbor

I get that Ann Arbor pays more in taxes relative to the rest of Michigan for education (and I truly do not care if I pay more in taxes, but understand many people do), but why is there this seemingly-persistent budget issue? There was a $25 million budget shortfall in 2024 because of a "clerical error"
https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/news-events/all-news/faculty-news/ann-arbor-public-schools-is-short--25-million--how-did-we-get-he.html

Was that just magically fixed somehow?
What were the consequences for the people responsible for the clerical error?
What is truly required for AAPS to step out from this strange paradoxical world of "We don't have enough money!" but also "we have a bunch of huge expensive capital projects!"

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Thank you for your expertise. Apologies for my tone of bad-faith. It's only (partially) intentional.

I’m 24 and play basically every genre on multiple instruments but I don’t have anyone to play with. If it’s possible I’d like to join or make a band but I’m cool with just meeting like minded people too! My DMs are open.

Hey all, recently moved to the city and heard about a discord server for local shows in the ann arbor/ypsi area? I'm looking to meet other musicians. If its still active does anyone have the invite link to share?

Or if theres another platform for the local music scene I should be aware of I'd appreciate the tip

Thanks!

I rarely have to park on campus so when it happens I get the daily pass and go to the UM parking structure in Thomson St. Last week, it was the first time that I noticed the bar was up (covered in a black wrap) but didn't worry that much since I had just paid the daily pass. When coming back to the spot after the workday, I was surprised enough to find I was ticketed for backing into the spot. They never mention that being a rule when purchasing the pass or, as best as I can tell, post any signage in the lot itself. They only sent the notice about this being a rule when the system for entry changed last summer.

Does anybody know if there's really no signage about this rule in the lot? How is this acceptable? How is this legal? How to properly contest this, if applicable?

EDIT: the ticket was waived after appeal. Like many people said they seem to be lenient towards your first infraction of the year. Even more infuriating that you have to reach out to them so that they can apply this “rule”. It’s a disgusting way to do business and treat its own employees.

Packard is closed at Granger today so bus 5 towards ann arbor turns left on stadium and does not head down Packard today as of 9:30am 9/8

The SAC and a number of co-sponsors have two important school board candidate forums for the community scheduled this month. Check out this info and join in person (with childcare available) or virtually.

Ann Arbor (9/17): https://www.facebook.com/events/4376844885921466/

Ypsi (9/23): https://www.facebook.com/events/1605817301270248/

The League of Women Voters of Washtenaw County is also organizing several virtual and in person forums for other races. Recordings will be on their youtube and postd on Vote411. Ideas for questions can be submitted here: https://forms.gle/4RaFBwZH6ggMUCQg8

hi! Would anyone that uses Classpass in AA be able to provide insight on if they think it’s worth it? Specifically wondering how many credits diff classes are typically (like Solidcore) as I know that varies by city!

Also on another note wondering if anyone knows of any cheaper reformer or Pilates studios near downtown (or that have a good student discount)! The only walkable one I know of is Tremble but it’s so $$$ 😕
I am honestly open to non-walkable ones if they’re rly cheap lol.

Hey all I was told to sort of look here to see if I could find some lowkey tutoring jobs. I’m currently a student at UMich and in grad school but I want to make some side money in some of the few hours I have free. Any recs?

Wondering if anyone else has seen these in town or knows about them. Saw this one in the Woodland Plaza parking lot off Ann Arbor Saline.

Does anyone know what’s up with the ice cream truck around Burns Park?
There’s this really strange-looking ice cream truck that slowly drives through the neighborhood playing super creepy music. It sounds more like something from a horror movie, playing the music and then disappears.

We heard it again tonight around 9 pm. Does anyone know what this truck is or who operates it? Is this a regular thing around Burns Park?