HOUSING

Your first and most important agenda item as an incoming Knight-Wallace Fellow should be to find housing for the fellowship year (because, no, Fellows don’t live at Wallace House). Ann Arbor is a surprisingly expensive and competitive housing/rental market, comparable with a big city. Much of the inventory of affordable housing options gets snapped up by students by early spring. If you are flexible, there should still be good options available to suit your requirements, but you should start your search as soon as possible if you haven’t done so already.

Before beginning your housing search, please consult with Wallace House Associate Director Ashley Bates (asbates@umich.edu), who will guide you through the process and recommend options that best suite your needs and priorities.

On average, 1-bedroom apartments with reasonable amenities for older students will run you upward $1,700 or more a month. 2-bedrooms will generally be $2,400 and up. Small homes with 2-3 bedrooms can be anywhere from $2,400 - $4,000 per month depending on neighborhood.

You are responsible for making your own housing arrangements, but the Wallace House staff will assist you in this process by identifying resources that have been helpful to Fellows in the past, passing along information about available units, connecting you with landlords who have rented to previous Fellows, and answering your questions about neighborhoods, schools, parks, etc.

In helping you with your housing search, we will refer to “on-campus” housing (located within a reasonable walk to Central Campus and/or Wallace House) and “off-campus” housing (which would require you to use public transportation or have transportation to get to campus). The neighborhoods closest to Central Campus are Downtown, The Old West Side, Kerrytown and Burns Park. (Technically, only University-owned properties such as residence halls/dorms are considered “on- campus” housing, but we’ve broadened that definition for your purposes).

Here are some things to keep in mind during your search:

• The address for Wallace House is 620 Oxford Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. You should do a Google maps search to see how far your prospective housing is from Wallace House, since you’ll be there multiple times a week.

• Our program begins with Orientation on Monday, August 19, 2024, through Thursday, August 22. We ask that you’re fully moved-in by Monday, August 12, so that you’re settled and ready to begin on the first day of Orientation. Classes begin on Monday, August 26. Make sure your leases fit this schedule, and, if need be, ask your landlords for an early move-in date.

• Many leases in Ann Arbor are for 12 months. Some management companies/landlords will offer 8, 9, or 10-month leases, but in some cases, they will add a monthly fee to your base rent. If you are interested in a place with a 12-month lease, make sure you ask about the possibility of a shorter lease.

• As a general rule, the closer to campus the housing is, the more expensive it will be.

• If you decide to live further away from campus, or just outside of Ann Arbor (Ypsilanti is a neighboring city with lower costs) consider looking for a place that is located near a University commuter lot, which allows you to park for free and take a free U-M bus to campus, or on the AAATA bus line (Ann Arbor Area Transit Authority, aka “TheRide”). Your U-M ID card allows you to ride for free on AAATA buses.

  • • Free U-M commuter lots

    • AAATA Bus routes 

• Parking on campus is also not easy. If you plan on driving to campus every day, you might need to factor in the cost of a $200 or $300 parking pass to your monthly budget, but even those can be difficult to get.

• Once you have finalized your housing arrangements, please let us know your local address, telephone number and your anticipated arrival date.

Below are a wide range of housing resources. We know that it is an overwhelming amount of information. Again, please consult first with Wallace House Associate Director Ashley Bates (asbates@umich.edu). Now, for the full list of resources: 

Helpful Housing Resources

Sabbatical Homes: A very helpful housing search platform that caters specifically to people in working in academic settings (professors, researchers, fellows) in search of temporary housing. Many previous fellows have found their housing through this site. Keep in mind that homes for families - places with 3 or more bedrooms, and homes that allow pets -  typically rent for $2500 - $4,000 per month.

U-M Off-Campus Housing Portal: This is a University service that collects listings of available rentals from landlords currently registered with the Off-Campus Housing program. (The University refers to all non-University housing as “off-campus,” but some of these listings are located within walking distance of campus). The site lists both furnished and unfurnished units. 

Zillow Rentals: The Zillow real estate site also lists rental properties. Narrow your search to Ann Arbor and its main zip codes: 48103, 48104, 48105, 48108, 48109 

Reinhart Realtors: This local company has a rental department to help locate a house or apartment in Ann Arbor. Contact the director for relocation and corporate services Susan Kellam (direct line: 734-669-5804 or office:1-800-422-4404 and 734-747-7888). Tell her you are a Knight-Wallace Fellow when you call. 

Academic Homes: Similar service as Sabbatical Homes, focusing on the academic community. 

Craig’s List: You never know! 

Other rental companies in town are: 

• CMB Management: 734-741-9300 (They manage the “Geddes Hill” apartments which is one block from Wallace House, but it’s often fully leased) 

• Michigan Rental: 734-260-7215 or 734-327-0529

• Old Town Realty: 734-663-8989 

• Arbor Properties (nice rentals in Burns Park and on the Old West Side): 734-649-8637

• Wickfield Properties: 734-369-2100 

UM Housing (these houses options attract mostly UM graduate students and are open to Knight-Wallace Fellows too)

Martha Cook Building: 906 S. University Ave., Ann Arbor MI 48104

The Martha Cook residence hall is for women only (no pets), and it has furnished, private two-room suites with a private bath and the Martha Cook meal plan (cafeteria-style). The location is at the heart of campus and within walking distance from Wallace House (about a 15 minute walk). The suites are available for rent for the academic year (and shorter lengths are possible). The rooms come with a kitchenette (but not a full kitchen) and there are many community spaces open to all residents. Contact Patricia Mullaney (734-647-2203; pmullan@umich.edu).

Northwood Housing Townhouses (Northwood IV & V): 1000 McIntyre, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Northwood Housing is the primary on-campus housing location for graduate students (and fellows!) with families. It is located on a commuter line with a free and frequent bus shuttle to campus. The shuttle service drops off right in front of Wallace House. The units are unfurnished and have two or three bedrooms. There is an active and kid-friendly social scene lead by the Residential Staff. The large Community Center has lounge areas, games, and hosts events all season long. Outside you’ll find playground areas, basketball and volleyball courts, and softball and soccer fields. The unfurnished townhouses of Northwood IV & V feature a main floor living space, upstairs sleeping spaces and a basement room for storage. Each unit comes with a washer and dryer. For an additional fee, residents can park on-site.

Low-Rise Apartment Buildings: On-Campus

International House: 921 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104

International House Ann Arbor (IHAA) is within walking distance from Wallace House (about a 12 minute walk) and Ann Arbor’s downtown. It welcomes students and scholars from around the world to form an international, intercultural, interspiritual living learning community. Their Resident and Educational Program, events and activities deepen respect for differences and affirm identities among the students and scholars from 25 different cultures who make IHAA their home away from home every year. Furnished one-bedroom apartments are available for $$1800ish per month; see here for details on their housing options. Contact: info@ihouseaa.org; 734-662-5529

400 Maynard: 400 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

Small apartment building located in the heart of campus. Popular with former fellows because of its location. Units are small but furnished and recently renovated. 

Tower Plaza: 555 East William St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

Tower Plaza is a condo complex with some units available for rent by the individual owners. It’s the tallest building in Ann Arbor with beautiful views of the campus, including Michigan Stadium. Located in the heart of campus, across from 400 Maynard. 

The Standard: 425 S Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

Ann Arbor’s newest high-rise apartment building located in the popular Main Street downtown corridor. Furnished. Garage parking extra. In-unit washer/dryer. Recently confirmed availability of studios and 1-bedroom apartments. Lease period: 8/27/23 thru 7/31/24; may allow early move-in. (One Fellow has signed a lease here so far) 

The Yard: 615 S Main St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

Furnished. Pet-friendly. Leases begin August 26, but early move-in possible. 12-month leases only. 

High-rise Apartment Complexes on Campus 

In the last several years, a number of high-rise apartment complexes have gone up in the heart of campus. Like other on-campus and near-campus options, they tend to be expensive, fill up quickly, and are targeted mostly to undergraduates. The units tend to be furnished, modern, and come with in-unit washer/dryer and sometimes garage parking for an additional fee, as well as community amenities. Many of these buildings are already fully leased for Fall 2023, but we’ve listed several of them here in case you want to do your own research. 

• The Landmark: 1300 S University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

• Sterling Arbor Blu: 624 Church St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

• Six11: 611 E University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

• Vic Village North: 1107 S University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

• Zaragon Place (Z Place): 619 E University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

• Zaragon West: 401 Thompson St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

• The Hub: 603 E Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

• The Foundry Lofts: 413 E Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

Apartment Buildings: Off-Campus (requires transportation) 

Woodbury Gardens Apartments & Townhomes: 1245 Astor Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

Unfurnished with option to rent from Cort Furniture. Flexible leases. Lots of amenities and services available including free uncovered parking (carport $25/mo), shuttle service to U-M, free breakfast on Wednesdays. See attachment for full details. 

The George: 2502 Packard St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

Modern apartment community with many amenities, including Ann Arbor’s largest residential swimming pool. Pet-friendly. Unfurnished, but furniture can be rented through Cort Furniture with student packages available. Studio apartments in the high $1500s to mid $1600s. 1-bedrooms: high $1700s to high $1900s. Free outdoor uncovered parking. Outdoor carport parking: $35/month. Indoor garage parking: $75/month. Unlike many on-campus apartment complexes, The George does not run on an academic calendar, so apartments are only available as people move out. Residents must provide 60-day notice before moving out, so the property manager suggests you contact them in early to mid-June for August availability. You can also sign up for alerts for specific floorplan availabilities on their website. 

The Ponds at Georgetown: 2511 Packard St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 

Hidden Valley Club: 600 Hidden Valley Club Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 

Located near the U-M commuter lot, which means you could walk to the bus stop and commute to campus daily. 

ReNew Ann Arbor (formerly “Harbor House”): 275 Harbor Way, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 

Manchester West: 1900 W Liberty St., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103