Home to a vibrant culinary scene, growing technology industry, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is a city with a lot to offer. “Dismissing Ann Arbor as just another college town would do this southeast Michigan city — often called ‘Tree Town’ — a huge disservice,” says Money. “Well-designed trail systems, a passion for the arts, worldly restaurants, plus friendly, smart residents who are civically engaged are also among the reasons Ann Arbor is one of the best cities to live in the U.S,” adds Livability. Among the many benefits of life in Ann Arbor is the sheer variety that the city offers. “Ann Arbor is a mix of the rural and urban, sporty and smart, outdoorsy and high-tech city,” says MovingWaldo. “Ann Arbor boasts excellent public schools, an increasingly diverse job market, a culturally diverse community, a robust public park system, and low crime rates.” The Ann Arbor area, overall, is a friendly community with big-city sophistication; a world-class educational and high-tech research center nestled in a quintessential college town; a close-knit community of charming neighborhoods with a rich mix of cultures. The Ann Arbor campus has plenty to inspire and entertain. Arbor and the University of Michigan go together like Maize and Blue! With more than 43,000 undergrad and graduate students, campus life is interwoven with city life. Ann Arbor is a successful tech hub, attracting entrepreneurs, start-ups and tech giants such as Google. The talent pool and resources rival that of Silicon Valley but with a Midwestern culture and relatively lower cost of living than the Bay Area or New York City. Ann Arbor is the perfect climate for tech companies to find success, stability and growth. Although geographically small, the area is perhaps most renowned for its entertainment, athletics, cultural offerings, dining experiences and nightlife. On almost any given weekend, a visit to Ann Arbor will coincide with one of the many festivals and special events hosted in Ann Arbor. Two of the most recognizable traditions are the Ann Arbor Art Fair and University of Michigan football. Every July, the award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fair transforms the downtown streets into an art gallery featuring thousands of juried artists. In the fall, each football Saturday brings more than 100,000 people to town for tailgating and fill "The Big House" to watch the University of Michigan Wolverines. In the winter, holiday light festivals and the Ann Arbor Folk Festival are always crowd pleasers. April brings the thaw and a weekend unlike any other as we celebrate whimsy during FoolMoon and FestiFools. Described as an urban oasis, the Ann Arbor area is also the perfect four season destination for outdoor enthusiasts. You'll discover golf courses, trails groomed for hiking and cross-country skiing, some of the best canoeing and kayaking in southeastern Michigan along the twelfth nationally recognized water trail — the Huron River.