While Eagle Rock is lacking for things to do, especially at night, the rest of Los Angeles more than makes up for it. Being in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country has its advantages in terms of entertainment and cultural opportunities, and there’s never a lack of things to do for those willing to try something new. Being sandwiched in between the cities of Glendale and Pasadena is great. The ommunity surrounding Occidental is quiet, while the location between two major cities gives students an option to go in either direction. Pasadena is more upscale and has many good restaurants and clubs, while Glendale has both the Galleria and a large outdoor mall area in the downtown area that has movie theaters, shops, and a wide variety of restaurants.
Branching out beyond that into the rest of Los Angeles can be difficult for those without a car, but it is possible and can be very rewarding. With the many museums and concert halls, the level of culture in LA is remarkable. There is, of course, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Venice Beach as well, all of which are just a small sample of the myriad of entertainment options available. One can not forget about Chinatown, either. Simply put, there is no lack of things to do in Los Angeles, especially for those willing to look for it. Those without a car often find difficulty in getting around town, but the options are still available, albeit they take much longer to get to. These options are ever-increasing, especially with the recent addition of the Metro Gold Line, which makes it easier to get to many areas around the city. The people that seem to get the most from Oxy are those that make the effort to get out.
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Local Atmosphere at Occidental College
mmason
Political Science and Government '15
1.5
D+
Eagle Rock Doesn't Care
The community honestly doesn't care much about Oxy; they're not involved in any Oxy events, and don't take in real pride in the college.
May 28, 2012
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Local Atmosphere at Occidental College
bjr
Environmental Sciences '14
3.5
B
Unique
Eagle Rock consists of many unique shops and good places to eat. Walking back to the school, there is a stretch that gets a little sketchy, especially at night, so as long as you go in groups or in a car, its nice
Dec 21, 2010
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Local Atmosphere at Occidental College
A-
Urban Oasis
Los Angeles is full of amazing sites! The Eagle Rock locals do not like the college though, even though it predates their buying of their homes...
Apr 15, 2010
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User rating for Occidental College - Local Atmosphere is
3.5 out of 5
based on 13 user reviews.