1. Whenever There’s a U of M Football Game, Ann Arborites Turn Into a Pack of Rabid Wolverines
For the most part, you can get away with a general awareness of football downtown, (as long as you’re anti-Ohio) but if there’s a game on, your veins better run blue and maize. I’m saying this for your safety.
The college culture rules everything in the city, and when the Wolverines come out to play, a general sense of local pride morphs into a rabid frenzy.
Just don’t mention Brady Hoke or “dumpster fire” in the same sentence for now if you don’t plan on entering into some kind of fierce debate which may or not lead to an excess of personal damages.
2. Everyone In Ann Arbor Embodies The ’60s, Even If They Weren’t There
Way, way back in the 1960s, in the middle of Vietnam-era anti-war America, a lot of hippies were very angry over the violence overseas. Much like it’s West Coast counterpart, Berkeley, Ann Arbor was the site of many cultural events (mostly oriented around freeing this one stoner poet John Sinclair that John Lennon actually wrote a song about).
Anyway, that legacy is memorialized in a few ways in Ann Arbor: the hippie hash at Fleetwood Diner, and your mom’s floral sundresses with the weird sleeves.
3. Folks In Ann Arbor Are Smarter Than You… Sorry… Not Sorry
In a study conducted by “The Business Journals” in 2011, Ann Arbor topped the list of the nation’s smartest and most educated cities. Well, duh.
Turns out, the are more power-nerds per capita here than other notoriously brainy towns like, well, any town in Massachusetts.
4. People From Ann Arbor Take “Alternative Transportation” To The Next Level
For a city where it’s illegal to longboard or skateboard within the city or college limits without incurring a $100 fine, everyone seems to do it anyway.
The majority of these illicit skaters are college students, but instead of the typical burnout, you actually get a pretty wide spread in terms of demographics you’ll find bombing hills. So, It’s no strange sight to catch someone suited up, commuting on their longboard. Well I take that back, it’s pretty strange—just not uncommon.
5. Everyone In Ann Arbor Worships At The Altar Of Their Favorite Barista
It’s no secret that every young’un who’s serving up joe to the 9-to-5-ers every morning is driving way out from their parent’s basement out in the ’burbs, and bless them for that.
With coffee culture as strong as it is in this city, you’re more likely to meet a “Cafefarian” (one who worships the great and all-powerful coffee bean) before any traditional denomination.
6. Everyone In Ann Arbor Gets Lunch From A Food Truck
Ann Arbor-ites prefer to have their food come to them, since they love the outdoors so darn much. The primo watering hole (so to speak?), Mark’s Carts, is a collection of trucks offering all kinds of cheap goodies from grilled sandwiches to literally just dumplings.
The variety means you can get whatever you’re craving, but if you’re “down for whatever” sample San Street or Cheese Dream.
7. Ann Arborites Are Super Friendly—Until They Get Behind The Wheel Of Their Tiny Cars
Ann Arbor isn’t just the city; it’s all the suburbs around, so the commuting culture is fierce by default (it doesn’t help that, besides The Ride, the only public transportation is the Amtrak that runs between Chicago and Detroit).
Any edge will be taken when it comes to Ann Arbor parking, like bite-size Smart cars, whose size is inversely proportioned to the blaring of their horns and the viciousness of their drivers.
I mean, no one’s going to get out of their car and confront you, so if you really need that spot, you could go for it. Although, all bets are off on event weekends...
8. Everyone In Ann Arbor Donates To Their Favorite Local Non-Profit
When the City Council regularly gives figures in the millions to the nonprofit sector, and the political climate is as strong as it is (extra-crunchy and grass-fed liberal), there’s little surprise that so many people are hopping on the helping-the-less-fortunate bandwagon.
Not to say that anyone’s complaining—except maybe for the fresh-out-of-college intern who is getting paid diddly to work in a city where studios can run up to $800. But that’s another story.
9. Ann Arborites All Boycott Buckeyes
It’s anyone’s guess how any apparel with gray and scarlet can be seen in the city limits. Announcing any affiliation with Ohio State will be met with anything from instant alienation to looks from linebackers that should (almost) make you fear for your safety.
This rivalry goes all the way back to the 19th century, so while you’ll come to know every nuance bitter contest of the past century, starting at “I Hate Ohio State” will get you far.
10. Folks In Ann Arbor Are Total Snobs—About Ann Arbor
In a town where elementary students are taught “Ann Arbor History,” is there really any surprise that you’ll get a side-glance if you mention you’re from anywhere else?
With the political tension between the city and pretty much the rest of the state, hosting the most esteemed college in Michigan, and, honestly, how downright beautiful the entire city is, Ann Arborites may come off as pretentious—but frankly, they have every right to be. 
