Can any current students chime in on what the housing situation is like in Columbia? Is there a lot of overlap with the undergrads?
Soon-to-be-second-year here. There's so many choices in Columbia as far as housing and the cost-of-living is very reasonable. Most places will overlap with undergrads unfortunately. There are a few places that are only for graduate students, one place with a 21+ age restriction and another one with 22+ age restriction. One place I'm thinking of that is grad-only is called Ashley Ridge (
http://www.denice.com/ashley-ridge-luxury-condos/). This place is within walking distance of the med school. Another place that is 21+ is called Katy Place Apartments (
http://www.katyplaceapts.com/home.asp). This place is relatively close to school and is nice. The other place that is 22+ is Deer Valley Apartments (
http://www.deervalleyapts.com/). This place is very close to school and is very nice. I have lived in Deer Valley for two years and just signed on for a third. Another place that is 22+ is Broadway Village Apartments (
http://www.apt4u.com/). Decent place but a bit outdated but is close to school.
There are many places I would stay away from as a med student if you're not into listening to noise from undergrads. These would include: The Reserve, Campus Lodge, Copper Beech, Grindstone Canyon, anything Brookside (they're building these apartments all over town), The Cottages, Ashwood Apartments and Campus View. These are the ones I can think of at the moment. Check out apartmentratings.com for more info on all these. These are just my personal opinion. Some med students have lived here and might have enjoyed it but I've been in Columbia for six years and have lived/experienced the aforementioned apartments and have had negative experiences. I can't stand the parties, thumping music, yelling at night, etc and you're likely to get that with the undergrad places.
Another place to consider that is open to anyone but isn't specific for a single population is The Links/The Greens. It's nice and has a variety of people. Some undergrads here but they tend to be the more quiet ones. I lived here for two years and it was ok. Definitely read the apartmentratings.com here though and see what you think ( a lot of negative reviews).