Temple area. - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

bradjl2009 · 10-20-2008, 02:51 PM

Thanks for the help. Philadelphia looks like a pretty interesting city even though a lot of my Pittsburgh friends are telling me to stay local. University City seems like a good neighborhood, but I'd rather be close to campus. If Temple wouldn't let freshman live off campus then I guess I will be in the dorm as I know no one in Philly what is part of the possible excitement I suppose.

newmarlig · 10-20-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

Thanks for the help. Philadelphia looks like a pretty interesting city even though a lot of my Pittsburgh friends are telling me to stay local. University City seems like a good neighborhood, but I'd rather be close to campus. If Temple wouldn't let freshman live off campus then I guess I will be in the dorm as I know no one in Philly what is part of the possible excitement I suppose.

Being in the dorm might be the best thing even if they let freshman live off campus. You can get a feel for the city and possibly hookup with a roommate (or roommates) for the following years. Then you will be able to afford something in center city (which is most likely where you will want to be).

Orlando Nigerian · 10-25-2008, 11:36 AM

Sounds ridiculous and probably not true if you ask me? A college that requires its students, even if they're freshmen, to live on campus? The university I went to here in Orlando was built in 1963 and the older dorms STILL look and seem horrible. I remember hearing so many students saying, "I'm definitely not living on-campus next year." You're forced to go out if you want to eat. I don't know how the dorms are at Temple, but at UCF there were no stoves, no washer or dryers in the apts. themselves, and no real living room (just a small common room you could call a lobby). I'm glad I never lived on-campus and can't imagine any school REQUIRING you to. If Temple has an Off Campus Housing center, they most likely have records of people searching for roommates, like UCF did.

Tone509 · 10-25-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando Nigerian

Sounds ridiculous and probably not true if you ask me? A college that requires its students, even if they're freshmen, to live on campus? The university I went to here in Orlando was built in 1963 and the older dorms STILL look and seem horrible. I remember hearing so many students saying, "I'm definitely not living on-campus next year." You're forced to go out if you want to eat. I don't know how the dorms are at Temple, but at UCF there were no stoves, no washer or dryers in the apts. themselves, and no real living room (just a small common room you could call a lobby). I'm glad I never lived on-campus and can't imagine any school REQUIRING you to. If Temple has an Off Campus Housing center, they most likely have records of people searching for roommates, like UCF did.

I don't know what the neighborhood immediately surrounding U. of Central Florida looks like but the immediate vicinity around Temple, despite some upgrades on the Broad Street thoroughfar, is still rather challenged. Spring Garden, the northern fringe of Center City, is perhaps a 5-7 minute ride south of Temple... but it's not so lively for a student. Further down in Center City is more fun but also more expensive. Adding a trip west to University City would be a pain for a new student adjusting to a new city.

Temple used to be known as a "commuter school" - and probably still is to some extent - but I believe they do encourage if not expect young adults from outside the area to live in the dorms at least one year to acclimate themselves to both the city and college environment. If social networking is part of what the OP expects out of their college experience, it would be harder if they had to retreat a few miles south every day of their freshman year... IMO.

toobusytoday · 10-25-2008, 06:55 PM

I've probably visited at least a dozen colleges with my two kids and all of them required freshman to live on campus unless their family lived nearby. Dorms can vary widely from college to college and even within a college. The reason behind it is to get the kids to integrate into the school community. The trend now is to make the dorms better and better so kids will choose to stay on campus after they are not required to. My college junior son had a single dorm room last year (as a sophomore) within a suite set up. Strangely enough, he has the same set up at his study abroad University in England right now. Kids shared a couple of bathrooms, had a nice size kitchen and a huge family room with a wide screen tv. My kids actually chose to do their laundry in their dorms (no charge) before they would come home for breaks.

JHG722 · 10-26-2008, 12:02 AM

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Originally Posted by Tone509

Temple used to be known as a "commuter school" - and probably still is to some extent

No we're not, thank you very much.

Tone509 · 10-26-2008, 09:03 AM

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Originally Posted by JHG722

No we're not, thank you very much.

... says the current Temple student. I happily stand corrected.

pcity · 10-26-2008, 05:43 PM

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Originally Posted by toobusytoday

I've probably visited at least a dozen colleges with my two kids and all of them required freshman to live on campus unless their family lived nearby.

This was my experience when I was looking at colleges as well (about 10 years ago). If the college has enough on-campus housing, they almost always require freshmen to live on campus, unless they're commuting from home.

pcity · 10-26-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando Nigerian

You're forced to go out if you want to eat. I don't know how the dorms are at Temple, but at UCF there were no stoves, no washer or dryers in the apts. themselves, and no real living room (just a small common room you could call a lobby).

That's how it is at every school... that's just dorm living.

Schools are now also offering more upscale apartments with kitchens and bathrooms and such, but those are for generally for the upperclassmen. Freshmen have to pay their dues in the dorms first.

JHG722 · 10-26-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcity

That's how it is at every school... that's just dorm living.

Schools are now also offering more upscale apartments with kitchens and bathrooms and such, but those are for generally for the upperclassmen. Freshmen have to pay their dues in the dorms first.

I have that as a Sophomore, and as a Freshman, shared a bathroom with 3 other people.