Pittsfield Township has similar amenities and accessibility as its neighboring city
Pittsfield Township is a suburban extension of Ann Arbor, with the same easy access to downtown hot spots and top-rated schools. The township also has open stretches of nature, offering a sense of quiet and seclusion the nearby city cannot. The township has a mix of farmlands and industrial plazas, and subdivisions on the western and eastern ends accommodate the growing population. "You're getting amenities, community, stability and open space here, but you're also getting lower Pittsfield taxes," says Trish Reilly, Pittsfield Township supervisor. The area has an expansive park system, and with many places to dine and shop, Pittsfield Township is a top Ann Arbor suburb for homebuyers wanting a quiet, close-to-downtown location at a lower price.
A large area with diverse housing styles and prices
"There's a cross-section of housing in the area that serves a range of needs and lifestyles," says Matt Dejanovich, a Realtor with Real Estate One. Townhouses and condos range from $150,000 to $730,000. Older homes, like Cape Cods, ranch-style and split-level homes from the early- to mid-1900s are spread out around the area's farmland or in older subdivisions, selling between $240,000 and $400,000. Colonial Revival, new traditional and modern Craftsman homes have a much wider range, selling between $420,000 and $1.5 million. Price depends on a home's square footage, age, lot size and location. The new traditional homes offer a turnkey experience and plenty of square footage. "Neighborhoods like that just don't exist in downtown Ann Arbor," Dejanovich says. While the median price in Pittsfield Township is about $50,000 more than the national median, homes are less expensive than in Ann Arbor, and property taxes are lower in the township than in the city.
Known for its parks and outdoor recreation opportunities
Sprawling parks and nature preserves provide open space that some local housing developments lack. "We're pretty much known for our parks," Reilly says. The township has clusters of dense woods, each part of the Pittsfield Preserve or the Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Preserve. The Lohr-Textile Greenway spans 4 miles through the township, passing a few parks and natural areas. "It's a nice stretch of paved pathway where people can walk and ride their bikes away from the roads," Dejanovich says. "It goes all the way into Downtown Ann Arbor, too." Lillie Park has soccer, lacrosse and multi-use fields. The park also has a playground and walking trails around ponds and through the dense woods of the Johnson Nature Preserve. Dogs get their energy out at Swift Run Dog Park across the street from Lillie Park.
Three well-rated school districts serve the area
Most children attend Ann Arbor Public Schools, the top-rated district in Washtenaw County, according to Niche. Depending on where they live, students may attend one of four Ann Arbor elementary schools and one of three middle schools. Many east side students are zoned to attend A-plus-rated Huron High School, known for its athletic programs and International Baccalaureate coursework. Students in the western half of the neighborhood usually attend Bryant/Pattengill Elementary, rated B-plus. The school feeds into Tappan Middle School, followed by Pioneer High School, rated A and A-plus, respectively. Most other students attend Saline Area Schools, an A-rated district. Milan Area Schools is rated B-plus and serves a small township section.
Locally owned restaurants and fast-food chains are near big-box retailers
Shopping plazas with big-name stores, grocers and home improvement centers are near fast-food and locally owned restaurants. Target, Meijer and Costco are just a few of the options. Many food-related businesses with the Zingerman name are in the industrial plaza by Costco, including Zingerman's Bakehouse, Creamery and Coffee Company. Breads, pies and cakes come from the bakery adorned with giant whisk sculptures outside. With downtown Ann Arbor only 4 miles away, many locals head there for date-night restaurants, farmers markets and city-hosted events.
Employers are nearby, and Ann Arbor is a short drive north
Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 23 intersect in Pittsfield, continuing east to Detroit and south to Toledo. Many residents commute 4 miles north to downtown Ann Arbor for work and weekend activities. There are also some large employers in the area's research centers, industrial parks and office buildings. Ann Arbor Municipal Airport is in the neighborhood. While it does not service the public with regularly scheduled flights, it does bring some noise to the area. Detroit Metropolitan Airport is 23 miles east along I-94.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
