Alcalá 1987

OFF CAMPUS

Tiredof livinginasardinecan, sharing public restrooms,waiting in line just to take a shower? Although living on campus has some advantages, many upperclassmen prefer tohave aplace of their own — their own sanctuary without R.A.'s or neighbors behind thin walls, USDstudents canbe foundinall areas of San Diego county. They are most prevalent in two areas-Dogpatch, an areabelow campus on theother sideof Linda Vista Road, and anywherewith the zip code 92109-thebeach. Dogpatch is close to school and studentsget great exercise walking up steep hills to get to class.Thearea also has a very high concentration of USD students. It is almost like living in the dorms except youhave topay monthly rent and supply your own toilet paper. The beaches are the reason why many students choose to come to San Diego. Missionand Pacific Beach offer many apartments with semester and year-round leases. A student can enjoy the surf and sun while mingling with other students from USDand SDSU. Life at the beach is laid-backwhich can sometimes interfere with studying. It can also bea transient life. It is not un­ usual for students tochangeapartments and roommates several times a year. Forthose students who like the security

Dogpatch resident, Blaine Townsend,does not have to worry about R.A.s telling himto turn down the volume.

of the dorms but prefer being closer to shore, USD offersan alternative. Theoff- campusOakwoodapartment complex isaffiliated with the university.Each year the management reserves a certain number of apartmentsfor USDstudents. The complex has a lot tooffer including a pool, jacuzzui and volleyball court. The ever popular jacuzzi is a local hangout for students after ahardday of

classes. Living off-campus does not take away from your social life as some studentsmay fear. Sometimes it brings students closer as they develop their own close-knit communities.It is having thebest of both worlds.Going toa great school andhavingaplace you can call home away from the classroom.

10 Student Life