<p>I lived on O Hill freshman year. Prepare for the elements, the previous post is correct. Prepare to curse the Hill. I recommend eating in Worcester, slightly better food, much better atmosphere, it’s the other DC easily accessible from OHill (and where I feel like I run into OHill people at least as frequently as Franklin (I think Franklin smells like a dying old man whereas Worcester <em>has sushi</em>, but that’s my opinion, and I’ve used it (when I lived in Central and it was convenient)…) to grab a bagel or have an omelette (there’s a good station) in the morning). OHill gets kind of weird and clique-y after freshman year, and the people who love it don’t notice because they Are the cliques, so I’ve heard it can be alienating to get put on a floor with a bunch of repeat-OHillers, and not be “in” already.</p>
<p>Oh, and I’d say the only gym worth hitting up is the new rec center, free to all undergrads. 
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<p>Hmm, I never even remember considering running back up the hill to grab something… you’ll go up and down for meals anyways… I never made more than two trips in a day, three maybe if I was stupid and forgot something. Also, I’ve never found it as easy to carve out my schedule as one of the previous posters makes it sound like it is to, but I don’t think you’ll be dragging around a huge load in any case.
I also recommend Northeast, because even though there are the jokes (I’ve heard it called “Asia,” “Pokemon Stadium,” etc.) and the Asian people to justify the jokes, I think that that area can also offer you everything you’re looking for, just closer. …Otherwise, Central is nice too (but was a little too “hey, you know what’s good? weeeeed and duuubsteppp!!” for my tastes, though to be fair it really is still balanced like OH & NE), Southwest is too… loud/imbalanced in favor of partying. and Sylvan is too… depressing, is maybe the word (though it can be alright if you have an established friend group).
Between Central and OHill there is a large area covered in grass and it’s a really nice place to hang out, and I know that that can be a huge pull for upper-Central and OHill for some people who want the area to meet friends, sunbathe, kick/toss around a ball/frisbee/whatever, canoodle, play guitar, hang out, etc. </p>
<p>Any more ?s --let me know… I wish someone had told me about the areas back in the day. I’d say OHill or Northeast. 
Good luck!</p>