Let’s face it, there is not much fun in moving. Whether you’re moving an hour away or across the country, moving to a new city can be overwhelming. We’re here to help you with some of the questions you may have before moving to Columbus. Here are the top five questions we’ve been asked by prospective students, and our best advice for each.
- How do I find a roommate?
This one can be tricky, and there are a few options. Some students defer finding a roommate and choose to live alone for their first year. This allows students to meet others in the program and decide if they’d be compatible roommates. This was an option many of my classmates chose for their first year. Another option is joining your class Facebook group and talking to your classmates before the school year starts. A number of students find roommates doing this, and I’ve also heard of students joining the Facebook groups of other professional schools (dental, medical, law, etc.) to find potential roommates. You can also look into living at the EYE House! The EYE house can be a great opportunity to save a bit on cost while also getting a chance to live with (and get study help or tips from) optometry students from all class years. For more information about the EYE House, you can contact Justin Griest (griest.6@osu.edu) and he can put you in contact with the current house manager.
- Where in Columbus should I live?
The answer to this question depends on your wants and needs. If you prefer to live within walking distance of the school, you will likely find yourself in an environment semi-filled with undergraduate students. There are pros and cons to this: short, easy access to the school but it also can be tough to “get away” from school. If you prefer to live in a more young professional environment, living a mile or two away from the school is a nice option. I am biased toward the Grandview area, because this is where I have called home for the past two years. Grandview is a quaint little place and is very family friendly. There are many charming restaurants, places to shop, and it’s a very quiet area. Taking the COTA bus or cycling to school have been options, as well as driving (although paying to park on campus is quite expensive!) Another option is living a few more miles away and driving to school every day. This option is great for people who don’t mind getting up a bit earlier, riding OSU’s own bus system (CABS), and having a commute of about 20-30 minutes. Also, living a little bit away from campus allows you to “get away” and enjoy other parts of Columbus.
- Will I need a car?
From personal experience, I would say if you have a car, and it’s convenient, bring it. Although most everything on campus is within walking distance, it is nice to have a car for trips to the grocery store, mall, or the occasional sporting event/concert. If you bring a car and plan on driving to school every day, there are parking lot passes available at a multitude of locations around campus. However, they can get a little pricey, so check them out here to see which one would work for you: http://osu.campusparc.com/home/permits.
- If I don’t have a car, what are my transportation options?
The CABS (Campus Area Bus Service) and COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority) buses are a convenient option for students. The CABS buses run all throughout campus and even to west campus. You can check their routes here: https://ttm.osu.edu/cabs. The COTA buses are also an option, as they serve the rest of Columbus. A few of the routes go right to OSU, so if you live off campus, but near a bus stop, this is a great option! And as an OSU student, riding COTA is free anytime with your student ID. http://www.cota.com/Riding-COTA/Pass-Programs/The-Ohio-State-University/Lines-Around-Campus.aspx. Cycling to school is another option I have enjoyed! A nice brisk ride in the morning is a great start to my day 🙂
- What do you do in Columbus (when you have free time)?
Columbus has a ton of options for whatever you’re interested in! Concert buff? A large number of shows of all sizes come through Columbus at the LC Pavilion, Newport, or Nationwide Arena. Newport is right near the student union and the LC and Nationwide are very easy to get to on the COTA as well. Foodie? The Short North is where you’ll want to hang out, it’s full of little bars, restaurants, art galleries, you name it. You’re always bound to find something new in the Short North that is unique and the area is always bustling on Fridays and Saturdays. Into sports? Columbus is home of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, MLS’s Columbus Crew and the AAA minor league baseball team the Columbus Clippers. Clippers games are great in the summer and usually there is an organized outing or two to a game by the school or area optometrists. Columbus has a lot else to offer as well so if you’re moving here for school or coming for a visit or interview, budget some time to check out the town!