"Quality of Life" is a critical factor in helping Ann Abor achieve its consistent inclusion in "Top Cities" lists. By any standard, Ann Arbor is uncommonly blessed with the elements that make for a full and enriching life, whether its looking at arts and cultural events, recreational activities, educational resources, or opportunities to explore the traditions and lifestyles of people of diverse nationalities and cultures.

Arts and cultural resources abound in Ann Arbor, ranging from nationally recognized institutions to locally based organizations. Theater is a vibrant part of the community, both on the national scale and through small theater groups offering community involvement.

Opportunities to experience music, the visual arts and other art forms are endless; the town is a regular stop on the circuit for nationally known folk singers and jazz musicians as well as an exciting venue for emerging artists. Over a dozen museums explore art, science, and history with professionalism and innovation.

Festivals and fairs are an important part of communal life in Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor Art Fairs, for example, are a four-day extravaganza that fills the city's streets with over 500,000 people drawn to fine arts and craft items, produced by more than 1000 artists from all over the country.

Public schools that rank among the top ten in the nation, outstanding area libraries, the unparallelled resoucres of the University of Michigan and other insitutions of higher learning in our area such as Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College all add luster to the richness of Ann Arbor. 

Recreational enthusiasts enjoy the more than 140 parks, nature area and recreational facilities in the area. Whether bicycling, jogging, skating, or enjoying the view from a park bench, the oppotunities are endless. The Huron River also allows residents to enjoying activites such as kayaking, canoeing, paddle boating and fishing.

All these activities serve a community that reflects and celebrates the diversity of the larger world. Area restaurants and specialty food shops offer a dizzying selection of European, Indian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, African and South American cuisines. In fact, Ann Arbor was recently named a 2006 vegetarian-friendly city by PETA.

It is quite common to hear people comment that there are so many things to do in the Ann Arbor area that it's hard to choose. That plenitude is what makes the Ann Arbor area such a desirable place to be.