With 73% of University of Michigan students living off campus, much of the U-M college experience isn’t happening in the Diag, but around it. This might sound like an overstatement, especially when it seems like we spend so much time on campus. However, where you choose to live in Ann Arbor is perhaps the most important decision you’ll make as a U-M student if you want the campus social scene to be attainable.
The idea that where you live impacts your life is a bit of a no-brainer. Obviously, living in a Vic Village apartment is a lot different from living in an eight-person Kerrytown house. But students too often underestimate the impact of where they live, particularly in relation to the University’s culture. Members of the U-M community tend to look at its culture in holistic terms, referring to the student body’s “work hard, play hard” mantra or the infectious school spirit that enthralls Ann Arbor. In reality, the University’s culture is far more fractionalized, with unique subcultures in various parts of town that reflect the diversity of the U-M community. This fractionalization allows students to find communities that resonate with their individual needs and preferences.
Within the broad scope of the University of Michigan, two specific areas surrounding Central Campus stand out: north of the Diag and south of the Diag. These regions are where most U-M students reside and they’re only separated by a five to 10 minute walk. Yet, they’re separated by a lot more than geography. The students living in these areas seem to have vastly different academic focuses, social preferences and lifestyles. In order to assess the differences in student perspective on this debate, I conducted a survey on current sentiments on housing options on campus. I sought to catalog this idea by polling 20 U-M students: 10 living north of the Diag and 10 living south of it.
Let’s start with north of the Diag. This area is known for its close proximity to essential locations like Kerrytown, downtown Ann Arbor and Central Campus. Here, you’ll find the majority of Ann Arbor’s quality restaurants and shopping options, specifically on State Street and Main Street. While north of the Diag provides a lot of opportunities for monetary indulgence, it offers little for social indulgence. The students I polled gave this area a low average social rating of 2.78 out of 5, indicating that the environment north of the Diag is indifferent to one’s social experience in college. This might appeal to students who prefer a quieter, more focused environment, but a lacking social atmosphere definitely isn’t for everyone. There’s fewer parties and less emphasis on interacting with neighbors — and when football season rolls around, there are a lot less tailgates and school spirit.
In contrast, south of the Diag, known for the South University area, Greenwood and Burns Park, was given a social rating of 4.7, significantly higher than its northern counterpart. With close proximity to South U bars and frat row, this area is known for being an extremely social environment. People are always out and about — partying, dartying and everything in between — and this is where you’ll find almost all the tailgates during football season.
This liveliness, however, can be a double-edged sword. Noisy parties are common, with music playing loudly during weekends and at night. Students are often running around this area at all hours, which can be annoying for those who prefer a more chill atmosphere. Furthermore, if you like this area, be prepared to walk. A lot of the houses south of the Diag are farther from campus and from most of the restaurants on Main Street and in Kerrytown.
When only thinking about the fractionalization of Ann Arbor in terms of contrast or division, it seems untenable with the idea of a greater, unified U-M culture. It’s hard to claim that we value togetherness when we unknowingly separate ourselves based on our lifestyles or personal backgrounds. This separation limits how often we interact with people different from us, and also makes it harder for students to experience different aspects of the Ann Arbor experience.
Yet, we must realize that it is impossible for any one student to engage with all that the college experience has to offer. So while a divided Ann Arbor might inhibit students from experiencing the full breadth of University life, it can also promote a deeper, more personalized experience in the scope of one’s individuality.
For starters, just as students can choose different schools within the University to attend or different majors to study, a fractured Ann Arbor allows students to choose where they want to live based on their academic and personal background. In an interview with the daily, LSA senior Kristen Toporski, who lives north of the Diag, explained this phenomenon.
“For people who are majoring in something that is going to have them on North Campus, North Quad or at the hospital, north of the Diag is a prime location for quick travel to class,” Toporski said.
This kind of autonomy in housing is crucial to a student’s academic life, as it empowers them to find a living environment that best assists them in their journey toward academic success and personal well-being. A student who thrives in a quiet, study-oriented atmosphere would likely prefer northern areas, while someone who prefers a more socially active and diverse atmosphere would find the southern neighborhoods more appealing. Where we are witnessing education become more and more of a personalized experience, it is nice to know that the housing situation in Ann Arbor similarly supports individualism and the opportunity for choice.
Moreover, the difference between north and south of the Diag demonstrates the beauty of how diverse our U-M community really is. With students coming from all over the country and around the world, it would be absurd to only have one singular type of living environment for everybody. This makes the availability of different living options more representative of the world at large and, therefore, more representative of the student body.
College offers a mosaic of cultures, interests and academic focuses, and you cannot go about higher education with a one-size-fits-all mindset. Students don’t need to fit into one specific box for what it means to go to the University — and the variety of our off-campus housing opportunities reflects that. A fractured Ann Arbor is therefore not detrimental to our culture; rather, it’s a symbolic recognition of how diverse a group the U-M community really is.
Ann Arbor’s fractionalization also proves especially useful when it comes to social and emotional development. When students arrive on campus, they are coming in with drastically different social skills, emotional IQs and networking abilities. Enabling students to reside in areas that match with their developmental stage is beneficial, as it provides a sense of comfort and security through which they can grow. A supportive environment is vital to preparing students for post-grad life.
Regardless of which area is best for you, it’s clear that your choice of neighborhood is not just about finding a convenient place to sleep and store your books. Your decision will influence your academic focus, social interactions and overall well-being. So, as you consider your housing options, think beyond the physical space. Reflect on your personal and academic goals and remember that the place you call home during your college years is more than just an address — it’s a crucial part of your college experience. Your housing choice is not just about where you’ll live; it’s about how you’ll live during your time at Michigan.
Max Feldman is an Opinion Columnist who writes about culture, at the University and elsewhere. He can be reached at maxfeld@umich.edu.