Earlier this year, HomeSnacks, a Raleigh, NC-based data analysis firm, identified the 10 best Michigan cities for singles. I won’t argue with whatever data they used, but improbably, this is one of the rare lists on which Ypsilanti bested Ann Arbor. In this particular ranking, Washtenaw County scored a 1-2 punch, with two of our fair cities landing right at the top.
It’s not hard to see why the data would point to college towns as great places for singles. Seven of the ten cities are, in fact, home to higher education institutions, although that might not entirely explain why these cities made the list. The entire list and some supporting rationale, which you can also see here, features:
- Ypsilanti
- Ann Arbor
- East Lansing
- Kalamazoo
- Hazel Park
- Ferndale
- Lansing
- Lincoln Park
- Grand Rapids
- Mount Pleasant
I believe there’s another reason places like Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor landed on the “singles” list. The cost of living here is so expensive and job opportunities are limited, that most people can’t afford to have families here.
High median rents make it very difficult to buy a home – a hallmark of family life. Renting in Washtenaw County consumes about 40% of the average renter’s income, so setting aside money for a down payment is not a realistic goal. Ironically, owning a home is often less expensive than renting, although that also depends on where the home is and its age.
Additionally, young adults often have other debts that prevent them from saving for a permanent home. This permanent impermanence makes it a lot easier for them to pull up stakes and leave for what they perceive to be greener pastures.
High cost of living in Washtenaw County costs us young adult workers
Recently, I spoke to a couple of acquaintances who separately told me the same story. Their adult children – both of whom are married with young children work in Washtenaw County but moved to Monroe County because they could not afford to buy a home here. As a result, they commute to work daily. How long will it be before these young workers decide that they no longer want the grinding drive every morning and evening? My guess is that by the time their children reach school age, Mom and Dad will want to work closer to the schools their children attend. Once that happens, they will never return.
The cost of living here is driving our prime age workers away. Their inability to afford housing here is setting Washtenaw County up for an epic population disaster. We need to do better in terms of providing educational opportunities that enable young adults to find gainful employment here in Washtenaw County. That also means developing new industries here that will support, attract, and retain young adult workers well into the future.
Photo Credit: Christy Frink
