Neighborhood comparison
Scio Hills vs Polo Fields: which is the better commute to Google Ann Arbor?
The decision between Scio Hills and Polo Fields for buyers working at Google Ann Arbor usually comes down to Scio Township value options for Google staff. Here is the head-to-head breakdown, starting with the commute math and ending with the character tradeoffs.
The commute, side by side
From Scio Hills
- Distance
- 3.9 mi
- Direction
- east
- Primary route
- Washtenaw Avenue
- Drive time
- 8-12 min
From Polo Fields
- Distance
- 5.2 mi
- Direction
- east
- Primary route
- Washtenaw Avenue
- Drive time
- 10-16 min
On raw distance, Scio Hills wins the commute by about 1.2 miles. In practical terms, that is rarely the decisive factor once you layer in rush-hour behavior on the actual routes.
What the drive actually feels like
From Scio Hills
Commuters in Scio Hills approach Google Ann Arbor from the west, about 3.9 miles in total. Free-flow drive time is near 8 minutes; typical weekday mornings run 12. The most reliable corridor is Washtenaw Avenue. Flexible hybrid schedules at Google Ann Arbor have thinned the classic rush hour; true bottlenecks are now Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
From Polo Fields
Commuters in Polo Fields approach Google Ann Arbor from the west, around 5.2 miles, mostly on arterials. Free-flow drive time is near 10 minutes; typical weekday mornings run 16. The most reliable corridor is Washtenaw Avenue. Parking at Google Ann Arbor is plentiful and free in most cases, a quiet selling point against employers in downtown garages.
Neighborhood character
Scio Hills
Scio Township subdivision of 1990s and 2000s colonials on rolling terrain west of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor schools, easy M-14 access.
Polo Fields
Scio Township golf-community with 2000s custom homes along two courses, clubhouse amenities, and a reliable pick for physicians and executives.
Which should you pick?
The honest answer: this is less a commute question than a lifestyle question. If the decision is Scio Township value options for Google staff, the two neighborhoods sit at different points on that spectrum, and the commute difference to Google Ann Arbor is small enough that it should not be the tie-breaker.
Our default recommendation: pick the neighborhood you would be happy living in even if you changed jobs tomorrow. Homes are a 15-year bet; commutes are a 5-year contract. The neighborhood fit outlasts the commute math every time.