I've noticed that a lot of my fellow bloggers live in residence hall dorms and have much to say about using Buck ID swipes and the oft' times bothersome room mate. I'd like to offer a different perspective for those reading who would like to consider other living situations at Ohio State.

I've lived in Columbus for the entirety of my existence. My extended family is a product of Columbus. You could say I know it like the back of my hand. This played a major role in my decision to go to school here. I like Columbus. I am comfortable here. I know that at as a student at Ohio State and a resident of Columbus, I have access to anything I could ever need right in this city in walking/bike ride/bus ride/car ride distance. Other schools I applied to had little convenience, and friends of mine that go to such schools often have difficult times even getting to a grocery store and wouldn't dream of going shopping at a mall or taking a leisurely stroll through a unique and cultural commercial area such as Columbus' Short North .......... and that seems absurd to me!!

The possibilities at Ohio State are endless. Should transportation become an issue while living off campus, never fear! For those without their own vehicle, there is an array of options. Some students that do not walk or drive to class opt to rollerblade or skateboard, and many students ride bikes to class which is an earth-friendly, budget conscious, and health conscious mode of travel. And yet, there are still two popular and widely used bus services - COTA & CABS (both of which are free for students) - that provide transportation around the city of Columbus and the campus itself, respectively. The websites I've linked have information regarding the areas they service, and I highly reccomend taking a look. And I will note, the buses save my life. I hop on a CABS bus to make my way around the campus at least twice a day if not more, and I use the COTA buses to get down High Street when I'm in a hurry and without my car. And for those already scheduled to move in to the dorms in the fall, or are thinking about living in them - do not worry about not having a car! You'll make friends that have cars, and the buses are available to all students at all times!

My personal testimonial to living off campus is one that I hope will allow you to consider off-campus living in a positive manner. I've lived completely off of campus for the past two years and have maintained good grades and have been involved. I was unhappy living at home at first, but through participation in groups and classes, and getting to know people through social events, I've made more friends than I ever thought possible. I have privacy at home and I live comfortably. I have a job off campus and have a variety of ways of getting to and from it. I have saved money. I've not felt a loss of experience at Ohio State, because this school has so many opportunities that it would be impossible to be excluded based on the location of my home. I am still near the school, just not directly on the campus.

So, I've not felt hindered in any way by living at home, and I am on the hunt for my first apartment! Just to give an idea, I'm looking at an apartment complex that is within walking distance of the West Campus parking lot (where the buses make their rounds) and other bus stops. It's nice and is maintained by landlords frequently, is affordable for my monthly income, isn't far from school, has a workout facility, and a pool! When I return home from Bonnaroo, I'm hoping to finally reserve a place and put down first month's rent!

I encourage you to visit Ohio State's Off-Campus Student Services website for information regarding living off campus.