clg5017

For family housing, I would highly recommend the Park Forest area, located a few miles north of a campus to the west of North Atherton Street. (The Wegmans/Target shopping plaza is on the other side of N. Atherton Street.) I know some grad students who own/rent houses in Park Forest, but I would say about 90% of the Park Forest residents are families, including many professors. Some of the houses are older but still well maintained. There are sidewalks, parks with playsets, and access to the buses. (See the CATA A, N, and V bus routes.) You may also want to check out the College Heights neighborhood, which is directly north of campus and mostly zoned to keep out undergraduates. It is within easy walking distance to campus, and many professors and their families also live there. However, College Heights is definitely pricier than Park Forest. Onto graduate student housing: I am still looking for a place actually. Generally, I would recommend staying away from downtown apartment complexes. I would classify downtown as starting at College Ave. and going about 4 blocks south and between Atherton Street on the west and University Drive on the east. Also, many undergraduates rent houses west of Atherton Street on W. College and W. Beaver Ave, and it can get pretty noisy. There are some downtown apartment buildings that are strictly graduate/professional (Glennland Building, Regency Square), but they tend to be pricey for the quality due to location. I know that the apartments/townhouses along the R bus route south of campus (Waupelani Dr.) are popular among the grad students. I am also looking at apartments in Toftrees on the H bus route and more convenient to commuter parking at the stadium. Anyone want to be my roommate? Obviously, cost is my motivation. I would estimate $700-800 for a single apartment versus $450-550 for a two-bedroom. I also want to address the issues of diversity/tolerance and the "middle of nowhere" location: Statistically, State College is not an extremely diverse town, especially with regard to Hispanics and African Americans. Also, we have the "Willard Preacher" who stands outside of one of the on-campus classroom buildings as well as travelling preachers from time to time. That being said, I truly believe State College is an extremely tolerant town, and I do not think minorities should be concerned for their safety. There is a very active atheist/agnostic student organization, and I urge you to check out Webster's Cafe or Zeno's Pub while you are in town for an open-minded crowd. Several of my best friends who I met as an undergraduate are gay, and I do not think they ever felt threatened. However, you will find students from conservative, rural hometowns who will make a derogatory, gay joke. I usually say something to the effect that their comments are inappropriate and/or intolerant, and they become embarrassed and do not respond. Furthermore, most people in State College are just very nice and friendly. After spending a summer in Washington D.C. for an internship, I was very happy to return to State College where strangers are kind and willing to help with recommendations/directions. Let's get two things cleared up about location and social culture. First, do not entertain grandiose ideas about travelling to NYC or DC for weekend getaways. Yes, it is possible by bus or by car. No, you will probably not do it more than once each semester. Instead, please please please check out the shows, musicals, plays, concerts, movies, famous speakers, and sporting events that occur all the freaking time at Penn State. Google: State Theater, Eisenhower Auditorium, Bryce Jordan Center. My favorite event last year was the Emanuel Ax, Itzhak Perlman, and Yo-Yo Ma concert. The only other venue where this trio performed? Carnegie Hall in NYC. My favorite event this year was hearing Maya Angelou speak...for free! Second, alcohol abounds. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing as decent live music and good cheap food usually accompany the alcohol. There are a multitude of bars that cater to different crowds. You will learn which ones have the laid-back, chill atmosphere where you can have intellectual (or not) conversations with fellow grad students. You will learn which ones are good for dancing. You will learn which ones have trivia where you are the stud because you actually know all of the answers. And, of course, you will learn which ones cater to the just turned 21-year-olds who like to hook up with each other - and I would hope you will avoid these ones.

I will be starting in the graduate program for math at Penn State in the fall. I am currently finishing my undergraduate degrees at Penn State, and I just like the town so much that I decided to stay! That being said, let me know if you have any questions about the area. Also, I am looking for roommates/housing next year since most of my friends have graduated. Let me know if you are interested at all. (I am female but am open to male or female roommates.)

I realize you have probably taken care of your problem, but I was wondering why a U.S. phone number is required to make an international post on Craigslist. I am only required to confirm my post through an email address (from within the U.S.). Also, I hope you enjoy living in Ithaca! I love visiting my brother there, especially during the summer.