State College/PSU (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington: apartment, home, neighborhoods)

[Stockholmaren]

I was wondering what your opinions are about living in State College and the surrounding area? I'm thinking of going to grad school at Penn State, but it seems so far out there :-) It would be nice to be in a college town though, but since we're a couple moving and my wife will be working, we are a bit concern of the ruralness.
Also, how is the culture there (liberal/conservative)? What are some pros and cons of the area? And if anybody has gone to Penn State, I would like to hear what they thought of it. Thanks!

[psugrl24]

I lived in State College for 2 years and really enjoyed it. My boyfriend currently goes to PSU as an adult learner (he's 26) and lives in Boalsburg. It's a nice area to live in to get away from the typical college students. The nice thing about going to PSU is the location. It's easy to travel to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. The culture on-campus tends to be liberal while Central PA as a whole is rather conservative. Penn State has a lot to offer, especially if you like college athletics. If you decide to visit the campus, go on a home football weekend. That's the best experience. Good luck with your decision!

[Musial]

I live about 3 hours East of Penn State U but I've been there many times as my cousin played football for them.

They've got this massive street art festival every summer, in July.

There's a lot to do, it's a wonderful college town. A lot more built up than it used to be, at least they have a couple of malls now. But it's still a pretty rural drive to get there, for me at least.

My nephew will be heading there next September so I'll probably be getting down there more.

I recommend it.

[Stockholmaren]

Thanks for your response psugrl24. It sounds like you would recommend it. I'm 27 myself, and I'm looking at attending the MBA program, so I'm not that young myself :-) I'm also glad to hear that you don't think the drive to nearby cities aren't too daunting. I guess it's a bit "scary" with the ruralness if you've lived in or close to a bigger size city all your life.
I would have to try my best to embrace the Nittany Lions, even though that may be difficult with a Ohio State Buckeye heart, but who can't like JoePa?

Originally Posted by psugrl24

I lived in State College for 2 years and really enjoyed it. My boyfriend currently goes to PSU as an adult learner (he's 26) and lives in Boalsburg. It's a nice area to live in to get away from the typical college students. The nice thing about going to PSU is the location. It's easy to travel to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. The culture on-campus tends to be liberal while Central PA as a whole is rather conservative. Penn State has a lot to offer, especially if you like college athletics. If you decide to visit the campus, go on a home football weekend. That's the best experience. Good luck with your decision!

[Ex-Ithacan]

Glad to hear you'd be willing to don the Blue & White.

State College is a fairly typical college town for a big university. It is centrally isolated, but there has been a recent effort to build more freeways to make the trip to SC easier.
Boalsburg is a nice option to escape some of the undergrad enthusiams. Much partying in State College itself. Another alternative is Bellefonte. Charming Victorian town (and the county seat), just a short drive from campus. Check it out, it's just off I-80.

Good luck and I hope you find what you're looking for.

[psugrl24]

Penn State has an awesome MBA program. They just built a new business building that opened this year. Arts Fest is one event that everyone looks forward to each year. There are hundreds of vendors lined up through town and around campus to sell their unique art. It's also the one weekend during the summer that students try to return to school for some major partying. Oh, and you have to love JoePa. I was fortunate enough to run next to his car as he was leaving Beaver Stadium after the Michigan game this season. haha Good luck with your decision!

[Stockholmaren]

That's good to hear about the MBA program. I saw some pictures of the new business building and it looks rather impressive, and I hope to get a chance to visit soon.

Penn State's football team doesn't look as strong this year as last year when they handed the Buckeye a crushing defeat... at least they got their revenge this year in Columbus, but if I end up at Penn State, I'll be the first in line for my blue and white apparel :-)

Yes, we're probably not that much in to all of the undergraduate college life (wow, I'm really getting old), so I appreciate the tips of surrounding areas. It's also good to hear that the roads are being built out for better access since we have family on the east coast.

I assume you (ex-ithacan) used to live in Ithaca before? Any input on Cornell and Ithaca by the way?

[Ex-Ithacan]

^ I went to school at PSU, but I grew up in Ithaca. Kind of brings a different perspective for me of both places. I actually lived in the Collegetown neighborhood of Ithaca. My folks owned a small apartment bldg where we lived on the first floor and rented out the other two floors. It was a great place to grow up (even during the turbulent 60's. Ithaca is quite different from SC PA, it's much more liberal and kind of gritty in some areas. Cornell is obviously one of the top schools in the country, but also very expensive. The winters in Ithaca are a bit more brutal than State College, though neither are fun.
Ithaca does have a more cosmopolitan and diverse feel to it than SC. Since there is about 10-15% of the population in Ithaca which is considered in poverty, there are a few places where it's a good idea not to wander around at night. I can't think of one area in the State College metro that I would consider unsafe (except for a couple of the rowdier bars perhaps).
btw, Ithaca is even more isolated than State College, but that seems to be the way most of the permanent residents like it.

[Stockholmaren]

Thanks for the insight about Ithaca and State College, Ex-Ithacan! it helps out a great deal when trying to make such a decision. I also noticed you live in MD outside DC, so I'll have to ask you what you think of that area as well? University of MD at College Park is another school that I'll be applying to, so I would appreciate any insight you have on that as well.

By the way, does anybody know the views on interracial couple in these areas?

[Ex-Ithacan]

U of MD College Park is a great campus. I understand it's improved quite a bit academically in the last 15 years or so. I guess it offers most of the same amenities as any big state school. The proximity to DC also affords plenty of activities outside of school (distractions?). I know it has gotten a lot more difficult to get in for undergrads (and more expensive also). Sorry, but I have no info about the grad programs.

On the down side, the campus is located in an area that has seen its share of crime. I don't think most students worry too much about safety on campus (though incidents have occurred), but some of the nearby residential and commercial areas are a bit sketchy. The other minus is the cost of living in the DC area = high. Affordable housing is not plentiful, and often in neighborhoods you probably wouldn't consider too safe.

Hope this helps some.