<p>I was interested in Penn State at one time, but wrote it off because it isn't in, or any where near a big city. How do you guys get over that ? and do people take road trips to Philly often?</p>
<p>Good, Happy valley is better without you.</p>
<p>Downtown has many bars, restaurants and shopping. It’s very scenic and clean. The college itself has many activities to keep you busy if you want. Football weekends are the best. I’m taking classes here right now and last weekend my roommate went to Philly. The buses take you to all the major cities around like Philly, New York, and Pitt. I’m very happy to be here. :)</p>
<p>Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you, but I mean you guys are some 200 miles from a major city on either end. I was just wondering if it was borring (other than the parties) or if you guys have a lot to do, and more specificly, what? I didn’t mean to insult penn state.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about offending cabhax. Ask him/her how long the bus trip is one way to Philly, New York, and Pitt.</p>
<p>The buses also take you to Seattle and San Diego. It isn’t a question of can you get out of happy valley, it is a matter of whether you are willing to spend half of your life getting to civilization?</p>
<p>I really haven’t had the need to travel to any of the major cities. State College has all that you really need to stay occupied when you are bored and have nothing to do (a rarity in college). Lots of shows stop downtown and at the BJC, there are several theaters, there are really need farmer’s markets during the year downtown and then the arts fest during the summer. I feel like there is always a PSU sports game going on somewhere too! </p>
<p>Then there are always parties happening- in frats, apts, and some on campus places. The HUB late night does a great job of give things to do as well. If you HAVE to travel, SC offers many discounted bus trips to NYC, Philly, and Pitt. Since my two years of being a student year I had to travel to a “major city” once to claim a scholarship. I drove there and was back for class the next day.</p>
<p>Personally I LOVED going to pretty big school in a college town … my social focused on friends, school activiites (games, movies, playing sports, playing cards, hangin out), and going to cheap student-centric places off campus. I had the rest of my life to live in cities which I have done … for me I didn’t have the money to take advantage of a city as a student and also preferred the closer community in college towns. Of course YMMV.</p>
<p>@sclindsay: Yes, we’re pretty far from big cities. But State College has its perks. There’s an endless variety of state parks to explore, lots of hiking, beautiful scenery, and plenty of whitewater within half an hour by car. And if you don’t have a car, you can get to those same places by bike.</p>
<p>Also, while they don’t come around as often as they might in cities, we have plenty of shows and concerts at the State Theatre and Bryce Jordan Center.</p>
<p>I think students are generally so busy with classes and what’s going on around campus they don’t mind being away from the city for months at a time. I also have one son who goes to school in Boston and he rarely gets away from his campus or the neighboring shopping/restaurant area. Most of the kids who are headed out of town are going to visit friends or family, which would be the case anywhere.</p>
<p>Dear sclindsay-my son just finished his first year at psu and he too had similar worries to yours. But he loved it. He said there was always something to do day and nite. Made tons of friends. He is now home for the summer and he actually says being home is a little boring. By the way we live on Long Island which is just a train ride from New York City- so dont give up on Penn state because of it’s location-you might be surprised. good luck no matter what your choice and no matter where you go-Work hard-get involved- join clubs and be open to new opportunities- and I am sure you will enjoy your college experience.</p>
<p>I guess it all depends on how you define “the middle of nowhere.”<br>
Having recently lived in an overseas location that my sons referred to as “beyond the middle of nowhere” - State College looks pretty good!</p>