Water Hill: an Ann Arbor neighborhood
An informally named neighborhood just north of downtown Ann Arbor, known today for its colorfully painted houses and its own annual music festival.
A neighborhood with real history
Water Hill sits north of downtown, near the Old West Side. Beginning in the 1930s, it became home to a significant African-American community in Ann Arbor, a history that shaped the neighborhood for decades. Today it's known for a more visible, lighter signature: brightly painted houses along its streets, and the Water Hill Music Fest, an annual neighborhood event where residents host live music on their own porches and lawns.
What buyers are actually looking at
Like the Old West Side next door, Water Hill trades on walkability to downtown and an older housing stock with real character. Specific home condition, size, and price vary block to block and year to year, which is exactly why a neighborhood reputation is a starting point for a search, not a substitute for looking at the actual property.
Frequently asked questions about Water Hill
What is the Water Hill Music Fest?
It's an annual neighborhood event in Ann Arbor's Water Hill area where residents host live music performances on their own porches and lawns, open to the public.
Where is Water Hill in relation to downtown Ann Arbor?
Water Hill sits just north of downtown Ann Arbor, near the Old West Side neighborhood, generally within walking or easy biking distance of Main Street.