Save Big With These Apartments Near North Campus Ann Arbor
If you work at University of Michigan's North Campus, the VA Hospital, or Michigan Medicine, you don't have to live inside Ann Arbor's city limits to have an easy commute. Chestnut Hills in Whitmore Lake sits directly off US-23, about a 15 minute drive from North Campus without the downtown congestion or the downtown price tag.
In this guide, we'll cover how close Whitmore Lake actually is to North Campus, why the drive beats what you'd expect from a suburb outside city limits, and what's currently available if you're ready to look at homes.
What Counts as "Near" North Campus?
North Campus sits on the north side of Ann Arbor, along Plymouth Road, which makes it the closest major University of Michigan destination for anyone commuting down US-23 from the north. Unlike Central Campus or the hospital complex near downtown, North Campus doesn't require navigating through the city's core. That single detail matters more than raw mileage: a commute that avoids downtown traffic can beat a shorter commute that doesn't.
The Drive From Whitmore Lake
Whitmore Lake sits roughly 13 miles from Ann Arbor, a typical driving time of about 14 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Because North Campus is accessed from the Plymouth Road exit off US-23, which is the first major exit reached when heading south from Whitmore Lake, commuters get to campus before ever reaching downtown traffic. The University of Michigan's own driving directions to North Campus confirm this Plymouth Road routing as the standard approach from the north.
Why Renters Choose Whitmore Lake Over Downtown Ann Arbor
For medical staff, researchers, and university employees who don't need to live within walking distance of Central Campus, the calculation often comes down to three things: commute time, cost, and space. Whitmore Lake keeps the first one short, the second one lower than city-limit rents, and the third one larger. That combination is a big part of why communities along the northern US-23 corridor have become an alternative for people who work at, but don't want to live inside, Ann Arbor.
What You Get at Chestnut Hills
Chestnut Hills offers single-level 2 and 3 bedroom apartment homes, so there are no interior stairs to navigate after a long shift. Every apartment home includes a direct-access two-car garage, in-home laundry, and a personal patio. The community sits on 20 acres of green space with ponds and trails, and includes a dog park with no weight restrictions for pet owners.
As of this writing, three 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment homes are currently available at 1,365 square feet, starting at $2,350 per month. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath floor plan is currently full with a waitlist. Availability and pricing change regularly, so the fastest way to confirm current options is to check the floor plans page directly.
What's Around Chestnut Hills in Whitmore Lake
Whitmore Lake isn't just a quieter, cheaper stop on the way to Ann Arbor. It has its own small-town Main Street with local shops and restaurants, and a community calendar that includes the annual Fourth of July celebration and the Whitmore Lake Harvest Festival. For outdoor time, Huron Meadows Metropark and several nearby golf courses are minutes away, and the lake itself offers fishing, kayaking, and ice fishing depending on the season.
At Chestnut Hills specifically, that same outdoor access continues right at home. The community sits on 20 acres of green space with ponds and walking trails, so you don't have to drive anywhere to get outside after work. Combined with the dog park, it's a setup that works whether you're coming home from a shift at the hospital or just want somewhere quiet to decompress that isn't a downtown apartment courtyard.
Ready to see what's available? Contact the Chestnut Hills leasing team or explore current floor plans and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Chestnut Hills from University of Michigan's North Campus? Chestnut Hills sits in Whitmore Lake, about 13 miles from Ann Arbor via US-23. Because North Campus is accessed from the Plymouth Road exit, it's typically the fastest University of Michigan destination to reach from Whitmore Lake, ahead of Central Campus or downtown.
Is Whitmore Lake a good option for Michigan Medicine or VA Hospital employees? Yes. Both are accessible via the same US-23 corridor used to reach North Campus, and living outside city limits typically means lower rent for more space compared to apartments closer to the hospital complex.
Does Chestnut Hills have single-story apartments? Yes. All floor plans at Chestnut Hills are single-level, with no interior stairs, plus a direct-access two-car garage attached to every apartment home.
What apartments are currently available at Chestnut Hills? Availability changes regularly. As of this writing, 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment homes are available starting at $2,350 per month. Check the floor plans page for current units and pricing.
Is Chestnut Hills pet-friendly? Yes. Chestnut Hills has a dedicated dog park and no weight restrictions on pets.
