Where to live as sophomore transfer?

<p>I’m attending UVa next year as a sophomore transfer from the U of Minnesota. I’m a social person and would preferably live somewhere close to campus where there is generally a lot going on. I got an email from admissions about where to live, and they had a few suggestions. I would like to know (from some current students) where ya’ll might suggest I live next year. I’m a socially normal person and generally have no trouble making friends. I don’t necessarily want to be alienated as “transfer kid” and don’t really want to live in the transfer community if it means I’ll only meet transfer while I’m on campus. Please offer some suggestions! I’ll post part of the email here.</p>

<p>NEW Residential Community for Transfers</p>

<p>The University of Virginia is pleased to offer a new residential community (Johnson, Malone, and Weedon) specifically designed to provide new transfer students to the University with a supportive and engaging residential experience. Clusters of incoming transfers will live on floors with returning upper-class students, thereby providing the dual benefit of the support of fellow transfer students who are also experiencing the transition, and of experienced U.Va. students who can help new transfers to engage with the broader University community. Resident Advisors and Transfer Student Peer Advisors will collaborate to provide a breadth of residential programming designed to assist transfer students with academic planning, University community involvement, meeting peers, and taking advantage of all that the University has to offer. Located on the UVA bus line and adjacent to the Hereford Residential College, this residential community features easy access to both Runk and Observatory Hill dining halls, the Aquatic and Fitness Center, Scott Stadium and other great resources.</p>

<p>Hereford Residential College</p>

<p>Adjacent to the transfer student residential community is the Hereford Residential College which provides another a unique living experience. Hereford College was founded in 1992, and comprises 250 residents living in neighboring Norris and Whyburn Halls. Students, joined by a community of dedicated Faculty Fellows, build community through a calendar of social, recreational and intellectual activities.</p>

<p>In addition to these two neighboring communities, you may also elect to live in available spaces in a variety of other residential communities. For more information on all of your housing options, visit: [Undergraduate</a> Transfer Students, Housing Division, U.Va.](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/housing/transfer.php]Undergraduate”>http://www.virginia.edu/housing/transfer.php)</p>

<p>don’t live in hereford (or the “transfer community” which used to be part of hereford). try to live in bice or lambeth or go off grounds otherwise</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. Do you have any particular reasons as to why I should do that? I know that bice and lambeth are apartments (which is ideal obviously) but what about hereford makes it so horrible?</p>

<p>It’s 99% singles, and it looks like a medieval prison inside.</p>

<p>And if I do get into Lambeth or bice, would I essentially be put into an apartment with returning guys who need another roommate?</p>

<p>yeah, that would be the situation. but i still think a single in far away dungeon land is worse. and you said yourself you’re sociable so you’d make a way to fit in with them i’m sure, or find others to fit in with.</p>

<p>Do you need to live on grounds or in an apartment off grounds.</p>

<p>if you are on grounds, then lambeth and bice are your best options, and I would stick with staying on grounds for the time being. It’ll just be easier as you transition in. Bice is really really close to central grounds and is actually a little closer to the corner than lambeth. Upperclass housing is not built for being extremely social the way first year dorms are, so I can see the merits of Hereford if you are a transfer student.</p>

<p>If your looking off-grounds, then grandmarc probably has a few spots open, but it is expensive if you’re getting your own room. $735 per month + electricity + parking (if need be, $85 per month). Also check [Uloop</a> College Classifieds - Jobs, Apartments, Textbooks, Carpools, Roommates, Tickets, Furniture, Scholarships, Travel](<a href=“http://www.uloop.com%5DUloop”>http://www.uloop.com) The only people that can post on there are UVa students, so some people may still be looking for a roommate.</p>

<p>I’m looking for some input on Brown College. How are the facilities and how competitive is it for transfers/upperclassmen to get in? Are the programs really geared towards freshmen or is there some emphasis on upperclassmen as well? If you live there currently, would you recommend it to a friend?</p>

<p>In the mean time, if anyone is trying to get out of their Lambeth or Bice housing contracts, let me know, since judging by the opinion of this board those two are really the way to go. Thanks!</p>

<p>Brown is amazing and a GREAT place for transfers if you 1. can get in and 2. like the somewhat atypical atmosphere. It is 1/6 first years and 5/6 upperclassmen so I think that answers your question: it is geared towards “Brown” which has its own unique personality, consisting of first years and upperclassmen. I lived there for 4 years and I recommend it to everyone who thinks they will fit in with the atypical mindset. It is not for everyone but if you think you will like it, you probably will. Closest place to live on grounds besides the Lawn (and they don’t have indoor bathrooms).</p>

<p>The room setup is also atypical, you kind of have a roommate and kind of have a single. If you look on the housing website at the floorplans you will see that it is basically like you have a roommate, with a door going out of the room and a door going to the 4-8 person bathroom, except there is a door in between your room and your roommate’s room so in that way it is kind of like a single. Again you still have to go through your roommate’s room to get to the door not on your side of the room, and all of the closets are in one of the rooms.</p>

<p>Brown is also cool because we have a $30k budget to spend on social stuff. So that is a lot of fun. But it’s not “UVA”; there is a significant amount of animosity towards the greek system (even though there are some people in Brown who do that too) and things like role playing games and re-enacting gladiator with foam weaponry (“melee”) and other odd things take precidence over typical UVA activities, whatever those might be. That is what I mean by atypical. HTH</p>

<p>Oh also transfers getting in over the summer, that is kind of a dice roll, and you need to apply by next Friday if you want to be considered for the fall.</p>

<p>hey…
Go to hoohasit.com if you trying to take over a contract. There are plenty of people there willing to pay you to take over their contract.</p>

<p>Thanks hazelorb and lovely90! I really appreciate the comments and the help! Brown sounds fantastic.</p>