“We live by the Costco,” I tell people about our home located in Pittsfield Township, and they know exactly where we are. This part of Bryant Pattengill West is also conveniently located near Meijer, Target, Whole Foods, Party City, REI, and other stores that become necessities when you are raising a family.
Back when I fell in love with Ann Arbor in 2007 as a twenty-something traveler, suburban comfort wasn’t on my mind. Even after an insider’s tour of the university, Zola’s for brunch, Zingerman’s Deli (of course), selfies in the Matthaei Conservatory, Dominick’s for my first sangria, and even Necto for dancing, I never imagined I would end up living here. Then I met my Michigan-born husband in grad school and over a decade later, when we began talking about moving to the Mitten State with our child, I declared, “Ann Arbor or bust!”
The dream home we found was zoned for Bryant and Pattengill elementary schools, which are uniquely split between grades K–2 and 3–5 to better serve student needs. As a mixed-race family, my husband and I were immediately attracted to the diversity of the student body and the strong leadership of the administrators. We also soon found the school bus system to be a working parent’s dream. Next year, Bryant and Pattengill are set to launch the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, becoming only the second elementary schools in the district to do so.
When we began talking about moving to the Mitten State with our child, I declared, “Ann Arbor or bust!” Family-friendly attractions in our development in Bryant Pattengill West include a catch-and-release fishing lake and a visit from a petting zoo.
But we did not understand any of that when we started house searching. We were instead captivated by the neighborhood’s mature landscaping and peaceful grounds. Stonebridge, Lake Forest, Pines, and Lakewood developments as well as the condos and apartments around us all offer this quiet benefit. Our particular development features a small private park with a catch-and-release fishing lake, a playground, and a sledding hill where all the neighborhood children gather on snow days. The Lot Owners Association throws an annual start-of-summer party with a petting zoo and snow cones.
Many of our neighbors take advantage of the golf clubs at Lake Forest and Stonebridge, as well as Travis Pointe Country Club. Myfamily enjoys the easy access to Zingerman’s Southside—bakery, café, creamery, and all—as well as Knight’s Southside Market. While our privileged life is not representative of all of the large Bryant/Pattengill area, we are grateful.
Above all, my family loves our convenient location to three different towns: Ann Arbor, Saline, and Ypsilanti. We’re fifteen minutes from downtown Ann Arbor and all it has to offer. Just a few minutes away is the Creature Conservancy, a nonprofit that is home to many rescued former pets like sloths, turtles, and alligators. Our kiddo loves going to camp at Saline’s Whitepine Studios, and we all enjoy the excellent Fine Print Bookstore and the old-timey Eleanor’s Sweets and Sodas.
Our son also attends Ypsi’s Moo-Duk Martial Arts Studio twice a week, a nonprofit with stellar leadership and instruction from Master Mark Fancher, so we’re regularly treated to Ypsi’s vibrant scene. Our regular stops along Washtenaw Ave. include two of our favorite local restaurants, Lan City Noodles and Miny’s Mexican Restaurant.
For our family, living in Bryant Pattengill West isn’t about any one particular highlight. It’s the relaxing, centrally located homebase that allows us to live in three delightfully different towns at once, and that’s pretty darn special.