Southeast Michigan Cities: Ann Arbor vs Ypsi

There are two very interesting neighboring cities in southeast Michigan, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. There are many things similar about the two, but there are major differences as well.

Defining the AA/Ypsi Divide: Geography and University Presence

Ann Arbor is the seat of Washtenaw County and is famously the home of the University of Michigan. Ypsilanti sits just to the east and is home to Eastern Michigan University.

Get our free mobile app

It's worth noting that the two cities don't share a border. The corporate limits of the town are separated by roughly two miles from both Pittsfield and Ypsilanti Townships.

So, what similarities do the two share,e and where are they different?

The question came up on the Michigan subreddit of Reddit from someone looking to move to Michigan from Ohio (always a solid choice) and considering the two communities.

The top comments come from Ypsi residents offering a realistic opinion on the two locations.

Political Leanings and Affluence: Ann Arbor's Shifting Identity

While they are both largely liberal and progressive in the political leanings of their residents, Ann Arbor is the more affluent community, and those with the "hippie vibes" one might expect in a college town have been pushed out due to exorbitant rent/home buying costs.

Ypsi's brand of liberalism is more blue-collar and punk rock. And there's a caution on the cost of housing, as those who can't afford AA and are looking to Ypsi and driving up costs there are well.

Ypsi's Unique Charm: Blue-Collar Roots and Alternative Lifestyles

The Ypsi residents were much more strongly in favor of a move there than up the road to Ann Arbor:

Former Ypsi worker. Fun funky town. Much more than preppy AA
Ypsilanti is really cool. There's a lot of acceptance for alternative lifestyles.

👇🏼BELOW: What Michigan Cities Have a Big Sibling-Little Sibling Relationship? + Ranking Every Mid-American Conference College Town - Where Does Michigan Land?👇🏼

It's an interesting part of Michigan, and the choice is not too far removed from some looking at Lansing vs East Lansing.

What Michigan Cities Have a Big Sibling - Little Sibling Relationship?

There are many cities around the country and around the world that can be thought of as having a big brother/little brother or big sister/little sister relationship. How many of those big/little cities exist in Michigan?

Gallery Credit: Eric Meier

Ranking Every Mid-American Conference College Town - Where Does Michigan Land?

The Mid-American Conference (MAC) is without dispute the confrere of the Great Lakes. With core and historic membership of schools from Michigan and Ohio, the rivalries are classic and many of the towns hold a similar feel. So how would they rank.

*Note this survey leaves off DeKalb as Northern Illinois is departing the MAC and includes Amherst as UMass is set to join the conference.

Can Michigan Residents Access the State's Public University Libraries? The Answer is Quite Complicated

Public libraries are generally founded on the premise they are free and open to all. After all, it's in the Michigan Constitution that all state residents have access to a local library. But what about the state's public universities? Access to these institution by residents of Michigan varies greatly.

Here's a look at the borrowing policies of every public university library in Michigan.

Gallery Credit: Eric Meier