Columbia University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

New York City has something for everyone, and it does not take much for the staunchest suburbanite to find their niche somewhere in Manhattan. Some students consider it to be their home, and they rarely leave the Morningside Heights campus. The immediate area is full of restaurants, shops, bars and cafés, so those who stay close to Columbia do have access to a slice of New York’s offerings, though it’s clear that the rest of the city offers many more diversions for the more adventurous souls.

The urban locale is part of the draw for many Columbia students, but those who prefer the quiet life can find comfort in some of the other geographic regions within the city. The trendy hipsters flock to Soho or Williamsburg in Brooklyn. Art lovers have the galleries in Chelsea, and those wishing to catch the newest play have Broadway and off-Broadway and off-off Broadway at their disposal. There’s always the Village, Central Park and midnight walks across the Brooklyn Bridge. After a little exploring, it is possible for anyone to find their happy place somewhere in New York. Sometimes, students feel like the city is going to eat them alive, but after making some friends and getting to know the environment, New York City becomes more inviting and less scary for those unfamiliar with the über-urban life.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Here’s a valuable New York... Here’s a valuable New York survival tip: if you ever see a crowd running away from something, don’t be an individual; join the crowd, get out of the street, and run away with them! 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

There are tons of things to do in... There are tons of things to do in New York City, especially if you have the willpower, money, or the right people with you. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

I love living in New York because... I love living in New York because you can taste and see all levels of status. You can walk off of the campus after getting a bad grade on a test and see a man begging for food. You remember how lucky you are; it just keeps things in perspective. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The campus is beautiful, and you... The campus is beautiful, and you will have so much fun on and off campus. You have the whole city to travel. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

It’s New York City. Isn’t that... It’s New York City. Isn’t that enough said? There’s New York University downtown, and there are tons of things to do over there in the village such as museums and clubs. You name it; New York has it. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Five Fun Facts about New York:
• Two of its many nicknames are “The Big Apple” and “The City that Never Sleeps.”
• It used to be called New Amsterdam.
• New York City has 722 miles of subway track.
• The New York Post was founded in 1803 by Alexander Hamilton and is the oldest newspaper in the United States.
• George Washington was sworn in to the presidency in New York City. Back then, it was the capital of the United States of America.

Local Slang:
The subway is referred to as New Yorkers by the train. That’s all you need to know.

Famous People from New York City:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Humphrey Bogart
Vince Lombardi
Theodore Roosevelt
Barbra Streisand
Edith Wharton

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Alexandre Millet
Hometown: Washington D.C., Geneva
Major: Economics and Computer Science

Fun Fact: Alexandre has been to Antarctica!

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