America's best places to live & visit: Top 10 college towns 2012

Ann Arbor, MI, features a mix of restaurants, bars, local shops, art museums and parks that make it instantly appealing to both college students and those who are not pursuing a degree. While football dominates the fall entertainment lineup – more than 114,000 show up to the University of Michigan's stadium on game days – the city's amenities make it a vibrant and interesting place to live.

Nearly one out of every two residents here is a student, making it a true college town. But you don't have to be a student to enjoy what the university has to offer. There is a range of musical, theater and dance productions that anyone can attend. Open to non-students at various times throughout the year are a collection of museums and libraries, including the Museum of Natural History, which offers an array of educational programs for the general community.


City population (2010 Census): 113,934

Student population: 59,000

College(s): University of Michigan, Concordia University – Michigan, Washtenaw Community College

Don't miss: Nickels Arcade for shopping, Dominick's for drinks, Cavern Club for music