My Kind of Elitist Town, Ann Arbor Is
A2 or Chicago? A prospective medical student asks for relocation advice on the Student Doctor Network forums. Well, Ann Arbor is something of a “stuck up elitist town,” according to one response. Isn’t it, though? Oh wait, the poster is actually referring to a preponderance of “tons of people from New York and the East Coast that kind of wish they weren’t in the Midwest,” giving as an example a certain website. For the last time — we are not a stuck-up elitist from the East Coast. We are a stuck-up elitist from the Chicago suburbs.
But Chicago’s alleged selling points, according to this poster, include seeing a lot of babies everywhere you go and everyone waking up by 8. Makes us appreciate A2 just a little more.
Referring to yourself as “we” sure causes you to write some strange sentences.
posted by tom on November 30th, 2004 at 7:59 am“Stuck-up and elitistist”? Ann Arbor? I am certain that it’s closer to “backwater and provincial with pretension”. There’s a difference.
posted by Anna on November 30th, 2004 at 9:26 amAnother poster: “Oh yes! there is the Urban Outfitters in the middle of the school… and the mall at Troy is only like 45 minutes away. You will never want for great European-made jeans!”
Damn, I guess I’ve got it good!
posted by Brandon on November 30th, 2004 at 9:45 amAn ex of mine used to refer to it as: “A small town that thinks it’s hot shit…”
Or something to that effect.
It’s not bad as towns go. You’ve got most of the anemeties and that what Ann Arbor doesn’t have, you can find relatively close by.
Or something like that..
posted by Kozzie on November 30th, 2004 at 12:52 pmYeah, I’ve unfortunately concluded that (if you can afford it) (Central) Ann Arbor is indeed the most livable city in the state. Its got a high concentration of commercial and cultural amenities per capita in a walkable core, a pretty good bus system, and a lot of cultural diversity (if not as much economic). Yeah, it’s yuppified and getting moreso, but that’s a more superficial complaint. So… the main issue, once again, seems to be affordability (and a larger grocery store downtown)… and of course, there’s the sprawl just beyond. It’s not Chicago, obviously. But it does a lot better than most cities its size, even if it isn’t cool to admit it. I’ve got a feeling Erie, Peoria, Sioux Falls, Allentown, Cedar Rapids, and Albany have more good dive bars and fewer Starbucks than we do, but they also probably have fewer decent record stores and bands, more empty storefronts, and and fewer Indian restaurants. Overrated, but passable… if you can afford it.
posted by Brandon on November 30th, 2004 at 2:32 pmIt doesn’t matter. It’s medical school. You won’t have time for anything else. If in Ann Arbor, you won’t notice you’re surrounded by stuck-up East Coast elitists. If in Chicago, you won’t notice you’re surrounded by babies.
posted by Doogie Howser, MD on November 30th, 2004 at 6:21 pm“Backwater and provincial with pretension.”
Excellent formulation.
Although I do agree with the med-school poster that it’s weird that you never see children in Ann Arbor, particularly on Main. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, but it’s definitely weird.
Also, having gone to a different school prior to here for grad, the person who posted on the med board about the students here being “frickin’ hot” must have done their undergraduate work at Deformed Hunchback State. The people here are hideous.
posted by Ally McBeal, JD on November 30th, 2004 at 8:32 pmEria, PA is easily, hands-down, the asshole of the universe. Yes, you heard me correctly: it’s even worse than Ann Arbor! Although Presque Isle kicks it East Coast style (meaning it’s rad).
As for those who make snide comments about East Coast elitists, I will point you to www.fuckthesouth.com
posted by Alex(andra) on November 30th, 2004 at 9:39 pmI don’t know about that, Alex - have you ever been to Allentown? (where they’re closing all the factories down?). You’re likely to get caught in a gun battle on the main drag through town.
And whoever hasn’t seen kids on Main Street has obviously never been there after a Keith Hafner’s Karate class.
posted by Lehigh Valley Refugee on December 1st, 2004 at 8:43 amA book I had rating the different law schools had a complaint from one student to the effect that Ann Arbor “has no legitimate theater.” A real howler, considering how often the average law student would rather go to the “theater” instead of the bar to drink away rejection letters.
posted by Personality on December 1st, 2004 at 10:25 amNever see kids in Ann Arbor? I live a few blocks off Main and see them all the time. On Main itself, well, maybe 10 year olds just don’t do a lot of pub and restaurant crawling.
posted by Dave on December 1st, 2004 at 1:02 pmAnybody ever live in Richmond, Indiana? What do you think?
posted by Anonymous on December 1st, 2004 at 5:53 pmWeather permitting, the fertile Ann Arborites just load up the strollers and parade their brats and pooches (or maybe those are children too?) around the Diag at a pace of about 0.0002 miles per hour. When I’m on my way to class I just want to scream, “Get out of my way, you stupid breeders!”
And the best part is when they look all shocked if there’s something not-quite-G-rated going on. How inconsiderate of the student community not to refrain from smoking, swearing, heavy petting, cross dressing, etc, in case the locals mistook the campus for a park or playground.
posted by JT on December 1st, 2004 at 7:26 pmI don’t know what all the grumpy gus nay-sayers are talking about. If it’s kids you’re after, check out the illustrious Keith Hafner’s Karate Studio and Corn Doggerie. It’s right on Main and there are lots of rambunctious kids there all day. Just shout out “Jacob!” or “Ashley!” or “Madison!” and see how many little tykes turn their heads! And as for younger kids, why there are always plenty of double-decker recumbent strollers to be seen rambling down State St, especially through the Arcade! It’s a great place where kids can hang out… and do whatever!
In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that Ann Arbor is Kid Krazy! It’s fun-tastic!
Boris the Booster
posted by Boris on December 2nd, 2004 at 2:46 amLet’s not forget the Hands on Museum! Another kid-tastic, elitist Ann Arbor institution. That’s another feather in Ann Arbor’s proverbial cap.
posted by Dr. Howser on December 2nd, 2004 at 7:53 amWe grill them up and serve them with a nice chardonnay at the annual OFW bash at Ray’s.
posted by OFW insurgent on December 2nd, 2004 at 10:09 amOh yeah, I love those SUV-equivalent strollers blocking entire sidewalks, especially when the kids in the stroller look like they’re old enough to drive a car, never mind walk on their own two feet.
I suppose I could/would be more sympathetic if I had kids of my own, but I don’t so… I’ll be a bastard.
posted by Dave on December 2nd, 2004 at 2:39 pmAnyone ever see that free local paper called Ann Arbor Family?
posted by Brandon on December 2nd, 2004 at 3:13 pmI actually enjoy the Hands-On museum. Never a better playground for geeky druggies. (”Dude, I can make my voice go whooooaah!”).
And Brandon- Ann Arbor Family is part of a conglomo called Metro Parent. They’re fuckers, they steal our racks and make assholes out of themselves to the point where businesses don’t want any free papers at all.
posted by js on December 2nd, 2004 at 4:15 pmDicks.
I’m a student at U of M, and the only elitist feel I get is from out of state students, not the locals. I love seeing out of state students driving their expensive SUVs around campus… I hardly notice locals while around campus. Not to mention some of the nicest people I have met around here are locals who don’t even attend the U. So elitist… maybe people should think about who they refer to as elitist, because it’s not necessarily the locals.
posted by confused on December 3rd, 2004 at 11:30 am“I’m a student at U of M,”
Well, there’s your problem right there.
posted by Ally McBeal, JD on December 4th, 2004 at 11:13 amWow, Ally, that sure was a zinger! ‘Course, for someone who takes their nick from the vanguard of dramedy, we shouldn’t expect anything less than non-stop razor-sharp witticisms! Tell me again about the one with Lucy Liu!
posted by js on December 6th, 2004 at 8:35 pm