N/A

Background: Recently my fiancé accepted a spot in a Master's program at U of M starting this fall, which means we're leaving St. Louis and moving to Ann Arbor! While I grew up nearby, I've never actually lived in Ann Arbor so I don't really know what to expect. I've been stressing out the last few days trying to figure out housing and work stuff from afar, when I realized the MGoBoard could probably help point me in the right direction on a few things.

Housing: This is where I'm struggling the most right now. Since I can't see any places myself, I'm basically relying on Google+ reviews of various complexes to determine if they're livable. It's also difficult because I can't drive around neighborhoods I like looking for "For Rent" signs, and I don't really know any of the realty companies in the area. If anyone here knows of any good apartment complexes that aren't too expensive, I'd love to hear about them. Better yet, it you know of a realty company that rents a lot of units in the downtown/campus area, or on the West side of town, I'd really like find out.

Work: I've still got a little time to figure this out, but I'm starting now because doing a job hunt in a small city from 8 hours away is probably not going to be fun. I'm a web developer, so I'm not too worried about being able to find something, but I have a job I really enjoy now, so I'd like to be able to find something like that again. I don't really know what the programming/development situation is in Ann Arbor, so if anyone has some insight on that I'd appreciate it. Are there any web development consulting companies based in Ann Arbor? What about just general programming/development consulting firms?

Other: Is there anything else I should be aware of or look for? Any good online resources to get familiar with the city, or just general advice you may have accumulated over your time in Ann Arbor? I'd appreciate anything you can give me.

Thanks for your help, and I look forward to going to a Michigan hockey game for the first time in probably 10 years. Go Blue!

Update

I just wanted to thank everyone who's contributed here. I got pulled into a couple of unexpected meetings so I wasn't able to follow this thread much in the last couple of hours, but I really appreciate all the help and advice. There's been more than a few useful suggestions that I'm certainly going to use in this moving process. Thanks again, you guys are great.

My hockey days have caught up to me. Diagnosis of trigger finger with pain in knuckle. On a slow day maybe some opinions to avoid the knife?

Because who has better mothers on tv than Game of Thrones? (I mean, if you're a dragon. Human, not so much.)

So what are you and your Ma going to be drinking tonight?

The Red Wings tried to blow Game 6 but came back in OT to force Game 7! Also the Tigers beat the Indians and Miggy went yard. I'm drinking some Leinenkugels Summer Shandy. What are you drinking to celebrate?

With Stanford about to pass Michigan in the Directors' Cup because of Women's Water Polo, it made me think of a topic I frequently think about.  What sports would you like Michigan to add?  As of current Michigan has 26 varsity sports (27 with Women's Lacrosse), all of which participate in the NCAA.  They are:

Men's Sports:

Baseball
Basketball
Cross Country
Football
Gymnastics
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Wrestling

Women's Sports:

Basketball
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Lacrosse (2013–14)
Rowing
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
Water Polo

 

The NCAA sports that are sponsored that Michigan does not have are:

Men's Sports: 

Water Polo

Volleyball

 

Women's Sports:

Bowling

Ice Hockey

CoEd:

Fencing

Skiing

Rifle

 

And a few non-NCAA Sports:

Pistol

Men's Rowing

Rugby

 

 

I am going to ignore the non-NCAA sports, as they do not seem practical and the expense could not potentially help Michigan in the Directors' Cup.  I personally would love Michigan to add all of these sports, partially because Ohio State has nearly all of them, which bothers me greatly. However, realistically all of the sports could be added, but skiing may be dificult.  If I had to choose a few, I would say add Women's Ice Hockey, Men's Volleyball, Bowling, and Fencing.  However, that is just one man's opinion.  So, MGoBloggers, what do you think Michigan should add next?