Ann Arbor

[kdm31091]

I've heard Ann Arbor is beautiful, gay friendly, not expensive to rent, and all the things I like!

Do they get a good amount of snow? I know what the stats say - but in general - do they get a reliable amount every year?

Also, how's the job market? I can't find any beauty schools in the area, which could be an issue - are there any?

[Wyody]

There are ski resorts near Ann Arbor - or, at least one - haven't been there in some time.
You can ice-skate on frozen ponds and small lakes.
Michigan gets plenty of snow - even farther south and has beautiful seasons and remains less humid than states south.
Even in the 70's, Ann Arbor had a gazillion people all over. UM is there. Ypsilanti is just over the bridge a mile away.
East Lansing is not too far away and it has been a steady, popular spot to live.
Like tornados?

[rd2007]

I spent most of my childhood in Ann Arbor and it gets quite a bit of snow, but fluctuates year to year. I used to ski @ Brighton which is a hill more or less, but quite a bit of fun. Definitely not Colorado though... cross country skiing was more my thing anyhow

and yes, Ann Arbor is quite liberal, which I would probably have an issue with if I ever returned to live there...

[Wyody]

I recall when they had the First Annual Hash Festival in Ann Arbor - can't recall the park. That was some 35 years ago. Every now and then, somewhere across the country, I'll hear somebody bring up that they're going to or just went to that festival ... and I get quite the chuckle just remembering those days as I head off to another nap.
Now, actually, the town isn't that liberal ... it's just something that started when hashhish was still legal and carried on every year since ... kinda like the Rainbow Gathering folks trying to keep the "Woodstock" images alive - it's still illegal there ... since whenever they made it so ... and the folks ain't all for it I'd suppose ... but it is a college town and perhaps still a fairly wealthy town ... which breeds a heart-felt conservative atmosphere with an intelligently resistant liberal faction. Nice to hear from a 'Gander.

[rd2007]

The Hash Bash takes place in the Diag in the Law Quad. I think only a person from Ann Arbor would understand that though...

Ann Arbor is very expensive and that's why I'm here and not there. However, if I ever happened to inherit my parents house there I'd definitely move. I'd probably have to sell it and move into something smaller, but it's worth over $1 million, so I'd still do pretty good...

[Wyody]

I don't think they'd even invented the term "Quad" when I was there - can't remember for sure - think it was '74 - first one. I'm pretty sure I remember it just being in a park though at that time. Could be my remembery is broken.
Even then, many folks lived in Ypsi or another couple of smaller towns around there because of the cost and relative size of Ann Arbor. I learned to ice-skate in Ann Arbor. I've always wanted to come back to try it again and maybe this time, somebody could teach me how to turn!