<p>I am thinking about applying to UMD. I definitely want to live in DC if I attend UMD, at least for the last 3 years. Is the commute horrible? How much time is the least it takes to get to CP from DC and vice versa? Should I drive a car or take the metro?
Should I live in DC from the start or should I live on campus the first semester or year to get comfortable with the school?
I've heard bad things about the UMD area. It is a beautiful campus, but the neighborhood seems to be boring and dangerous, so it's not somewhere I want to live in for 4 years.
I appreciate the advice!</p>
<p>You might want to try living on campus the first year. DC can be a very expensive place to live and your commute can be easy or terrible depending on where you live in DC. </p>
<p>I will echo what SoofDad says. Also, it’s hard to get a feel for the campus if you are living off campus…especially in DC. If you decide that you are in fact going to live in DC, I would suggest using the Metro rather than driving. Often times cars are a hassle both on campus and in DC. As for the surrounding area being unsafe and boring, people should use common sense when walking at night just like they would in many college cities. I’m not sure if you are male or female, but if female…just don’t walk alone at night. I have a daughter there and I feel confident she is safe. She lived in a dorm last year but was off campus more than she was on. Boring? What are you looking for? It is certainly not as culturally rich as most of DC, but I think most of the students find plenty to do. It kind of is what you make of it. What precisely are you looking for out of your college experience besides of course strong academics? What type of setting are you looking for to live? I know you aren’t about the party scene from your other post. There is so much more to UMD than parties. There are groups and clubs for just about everyone. Yes, there are parties and lots of partiers, but that is just one part of it. Have you been on an overnight visit there or talked to current students? I think they can probably fill you in on the wide varieties of things to do there.
It is a great school that has so much to offer. Good luck with your college search.</p>
<p>The DC MVA area follows a pretty straight forward microeconomics housing model if you choose to live off campus. Basically the more money you have to spend on housing/transportation, the more convenient your daily life. That said, living on campus is probably your best option unless you’re an older non-traditional or grad student.</p>
<p>Clearly u don’t believe u will like a campus with school spirit, and or any social activities. I’d suggest strongly ttht u consider the directonal state u or commuter school closest to u rather than waste your money on a long commute to a school with a social component. </p>
<p>If u want to live in DC, then wouldn’t it make more sense to go to a school in DC?</p>
<p>You’re saying the area around college park is dangerous, yet it seems like you’ve never been here and you want to live in DC…LOL. This is coming from someone who grew up in DC, and I lived in the nice part of NW</p>