Question for current MUSC students

[kmancrx]

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I will be attending MUSC in the Fall of 2005 and I will be new to the Charleston area. I was wondering if anyone had any advice/tips on where to live. I was planning on finding a place in either W. Ashley or on James Island because I hear that rentals are a littel cheaper if you cross the river. Are these decent areas? How bad is the traffic in the mornings/afternoon to get to the University? Where would I park if I had to commute to the hospital? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[kmancrx]

Keeping the thread alive. I know you guys and gals are out there

 

[chemgirl]

W

 

[kmancrx]

W. Ashley is good because it is inexpensive compared to downtown and traffic is not a problem.
As far as parking goes they have a few lots where you park, one is free but spaces fill up fast. In the pay parking lots you are guaranteed a spot and prices are reasonable.

How far are these lots from the school do you have to shuttle in or can you walk? I remember when I was down there for the interview I stayed at the Howard Johnson. There was a lot near the hotel and it appeared to be gated. Is that on of MUSC's lots? Thanks for the help chemgirl

 

[chemgirl]

The two lots that you could have a space at would have the shuttles. The one next to the hotel is the pay lot (around $75/semester) you could walk from there, but the shuttle is faster. Feel free to PM me if you have other questions.

 

[streetdoc]

i lived in west ashley and commuted in each morning. it was fine with traffic (in 2000 anyway). the lots are ok...the shuttle is ok. most of the people i know live near the school (med students have a list of houses that just rent to med students) and these are reasonable if you get a roommate or 2. look around and then decide if you want to commute.
streetdoc

 

[kmancrx]

i lived in west ashley and commuted in each morning. it was fine with traffic (in 2000 anyway). the lots are ok...the shuttle is ok. most of the people i know live near the school (med students have a list of houses that just rent to med students) and these are reasonable if you get a roommate or 2. look around and then decide if you want to commute.
streetdoc

About how long did it take you to get to campus in the mornings?

 

[streetdoc]

hmmm, in the midst of 8 AM traffic, i would allow a good 30 min. and at 5 pm it was another 30min. i lived at Heron Reserve Apts (very nice) which is "deep" in West Ashley near the hospital/walmart.
i would suggest staying just across the bridge if you can find a safe place. honestly, i'd look at staying at one of the med-student rental housees. you are not going to want to waste anytime or risk traffic. most places are walking distance or bike. are you familiar with the area? almost everyone stays around the school and the school can help you out with that (finding safe place).
of course, you could always come join the super cool people here at USC-SOM! we have safe, close housing AND Panera/starbucks/targett etc all close to school....but i'm biased.
let me know if i can help you out,
streetdoc

 

[kmancrx]

The only problem is that I have a dog and most places near the school won't allow pets. Nor will they have a yard for him to run around in.

 

[streetdoc]

oh, i see.
well, if you know charleston, then you know that no one has a yard. if you want space you're looking at being about 20-30mins away for sure. Maybe you could contact the school and see if there is a list of other students that need roommates. most scools have that. that way you could get a nicer place (maybe even a yard) and cut cost.
If cost is no object, go driving around West of the Ashley (that's the way you should refer to it in charleston) or downtown and look for "for rent" signs. as far as i know, there are very limited options for space downtown. maybe even try mt. pleasant. stay away from north charleston.
streetdoc

 

[kmancrx]

So I went down to Charleston last weekend and saw about 5 places. One that would fit me rather well would be near Hampton park. Does anyone know if that area is really dangerous. It is what you would call a "mixed" area. I felt relatively safe there during the day but how is it at night? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[kmancrx]

bump bizzo

 

[Obedeli]

I loved Charleston and MUSC. Ranked them number 2 for residency but got my number 1. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I ranked them number 1.

Anyway, great school and congrats to all who are going. They have the best gym I have ever seen at a medical school. Amazing town! Amazing food! I love the low country. Be sure to check out the J. Crew outlet store by Hilton Head.

I am jealous.

 

[streetdoc]

So I went down to Charleston last weekend and saw about 5 places. One that would fit me rather well would be near Hampton park. Does anyone know if that area is really dangerous. It is what you would call a "mixed" area. I felt relatively safe there during the day but how is it at night? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

it doesn't ring a bell. a close major steet name/intersection would help me out. i'm more than happy to ask around if i don't know it. safety was a pretty big concern for me (female) so i'm up on most parts of chucktown.

streetdoc

 

[kmancrx]

it doesn't ring a bell. a close major steet name/intersection would help me out. i'm more than happy to ask around if i don't know it. safety was a pretty big concern for me (female) so i'm up on most parts of chucktown.

streetdoc

Moutrie street and Rutelege Ave. It's about a 1.2 miles from campus. The house is on Moultrie just down the street from Hampton park. It's really close to Jabbers market which seems kinda sketch. I went in there and all I could find were chicken feet, pork butt, pigs feet and liver. A lot of people "hang out" in front of the store. There was a lady that walked down the street talking to herself. However, all the other people were very friendly and said hello to me while I was walking around the area. During the day it felt safe but at night I do not know. Thanks for the input

 

[kmancrx]

Another question. How is the area around Harmon Park? It's even closer to the school than Hampton Park. Any ideas how safe it is?

 

[kmancrx]

bump