There's no question Ypsilanti,
with its longstanding blue-collar reputation, has sat too long in the shadow
of its better-known neighbor, Ann Arbor. Though it's home to its own highly
regarded state university (Eastern, 'natch) and a storied automotive past, the
city, named after Demetrius
Ypsilanti, has struggled to compete with the rabid loyalty of "Go Blue"
alumni, U-M's international fame and A2's soaring tax base. In the past it
wasn't uncommon to hear Ypsi locals fib to out-of-towners that they actually
lived in Ann Arbor.
But as Bob Dylan once sang, "
The times, they are a–changin'… ." Area transplants and U-M refugees
alike are starting to tune into Ypsilanti's down-to-earth, authentic vibe
as more and more musicians, artists, bloggers and other creative types
start proudly calling the city home. Blessed with a core of caring, active
people who work hard to make it a good place to live and work, this
community of nearly 50,000 people is becoming, as one local calls it "the
Brooklyn to Ann Arbor's Manhattan."
Read full story as featured in Metromode - By: Amy Kuras,
1/24/2008
