Joining Vanderbilt Univ...need help in relocating

[shuchita]

Hi

I am joining Vanderbilt University (Vandy) for an MBA and would be coming over to Nashville in June end or July 1st week.

- First, please tell me where in Nashville is Vandy located and how far is it from the International Airport...How can I get to the campus from the airport?

- If I want to spend a few days in a motel before I look for a place to stay then which are the cheap yet efficient and decent motels/hotels to stay in? Especially safe for women since I am travelling alone.

Also I need to know the following things asap so as to find a decent and affordable permanent place for myself:

1) If I wish to commute to Vandy by walking then which are the areas that I should target staying over which are nearest to the Owen School of the University?
2) Related to 1, Are there any grocery stores, restaurants, pubs etc...places to hang out in or do some shopping there in the vicinity of the University / school?
3) My rent budget is for US$500-750 max including for utilities, should I look for one room apts or for efficiency bachelor pads? What is good or bad about them over there?
4) Are the buildings there of older construction wherein they might be infested with rodents, leaking-squeaking places...generally a nuisance to stay in and an embarrassment to invite people in!!! Should I opt for newer constructed places even if I am far off from the campus? How much more would new construction cost than old construction for rent? I am looking at having a hassles free experience.
5) Supposingly I find an affordable place but distant from the Campus then should I buy a car for myself there or is there any affordable public transport right upto or into the university campus that obviates the need for a car?
6) I am from India (female/26 yrs young...I like to say it that way! ) and a complete vegetarian, are there any economical but decent dining options in Nashville? Where can I purchase Indian grocery or food items? Any good Indian restaurants there?
7) Are there bargain stores or other economical stores from where I can purchase clothes, shoes etc...My point is...Is Nashville going to be as expensive as say New York / Boston etc....Can I hope to build a decent professional wardrobe (including formal business suits, shirts, trousers etc.) with a US$1000 budget as I am a student and on a pretty tight, shoe string budget.

Any inputs on these queries shall be highly appreciated...as I am sure you all are aware of when u r a student and that too self financed...things can be a tad too difficult and the boat a tad too rocky!!!

Thanks

[Jojo]

Thank you for joining the Nashville.com Forum! I came across a website I think may answer a lot of your questions - go to: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/via/about_nash.html

I have also e-mailed some of their student council members to see if they can also assist you. Good luck & keep us posted on your big adventure! We look forward to hearing from you again on the Nashville.com Forum!

[Arundhati]

Hi Shuchita,

I'm Arundhati, and I'm a Masters student in the Computer Science Department at Vanderbilt. Glad to hear that you'll be joining Vandy! Please find my answers below:

- First, please tell me where in Nashville is Vandy located and how far is it from the International Airport...How can I get to the campus from the airport?

Vanderbilt is located at 2201 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37235. You can find the directions to campus from the international airport at the following link: http://www.vanderbilt.edu/map/vicinity.html#airport.

The Vanderbilt India Association (VIA) arranges for student pick-ups. Please make sure to fill in the Airport Pick-Up Request Form at the VIA website (http://www.vanderbilt.edu/via) as soon as possible.

- If I want to spend a few days in a motel before I look for a place to stay then which are the cheap yet efficient and decent motels/hotels to stay in? Especially safe for women since I am travelling alone.

We usually don't advise the incoming students to stay in a motel, since the decent ones near campus tend to be expensive. Usually, new students stay with the old students temporarily while they search for apartments. We'll arrange this temporary accomodation and help you find apartments and room-mates.

Also I need to know the following things asap so as to find a decent and affordable permanent place for myself:

1) If I wish to commute to Vandy by walking then which are the areas that I should target staying over which are nearest to the Owen School of the University?

Apartments near 17th 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st Avenue South are really close to Owen. However, these are expensive. There are a few apartments near West End Avenue which are not as close, but are still within walking distance.

2) Related to 1, Are there any grocery stores, restaurants, pubs etc...places to hang out in or do some shopping there in the vicinity of the University / school?

Harris Teeter on 21st Avenue is the closest near campus for groceries. Kroger's is also close. Walmart is a bit further away. There are quite a few pubs and restaurants in the downtown area or on 21st avenue.

3) My rent budget is for US$500-750 max including for utilities, should I look for one room apts or for efficiency bachelor pads? What is good or bad about them over there?

With this budget you should get a good 1-room apartment near campus. When you get here we'll help you find one. In case you want to start your apartment search from India you can visit www.rent.com or http://www.apartmentratings.com/. We'll upload a list to the VIA website shortly.

4) Are the buildings there of older construction wherein they might be infested with rodents, leaking-squeaking places...generally a nuisance to stay in and an embarrassment to invite people in!!! Should I opt for newer constructed places even if I am far off from the campus? How much more would new construction cost than old construction for rent? I am looking at having a hassles free experience.

The buildings near campus are mostly very old and quite a few are bug-infested. However, if you do decide to stay away from campus, you will definitely need a car. The public transport system here is infrequent and inconvenient, especially for students. You can find the bus routes and schedules at http://www.nashvillemta.org. The MTA buses are free for Vanderbilt students.

5) Supposingly I find an affordable place but distant from the Campus then should I buy a car for myself there or is there any affordable public transport right upto or into the university campus that obviates the need for a car?

Please see my reply to the previous question.

6) I am from India (female/26 yrs young...I like to say it that way! ) and a complete vegetarian, are there any economical but decent dining options in Nashville? Where can I purchase Indian grocery or food items? Any good Indian restaurants there?

Please see the VIA website (http://www.vanderbilt.edu/via) for a list of Indian restaurants and grocery stores.

7) Are there bargain stores or other economical stores from where I can purchase clothes, shoes etc...My point is...Is Nashville going to be as expensive as say New York / Boston etc....Can I hope to build a decent professional wardrobe (including formal business suits, shirts, trousers etc.) with a US$1000 budget as I am a student and on a pretty tight, shoe string budget.

Nashville is definitely cheaper than New York or Boston. I think $1000 will be enough for a decent wardrobe. Of course, it depends on which brands you choose .

Any inputs on these queries shall be highly appreciated...as I am sure you all are aware of when u r a student and that too self financed...things can be a tad too difficult and the boat a tad too rocky!!!

Hope this helps! Please post any other questions you might have at the VIA Fall 2006 group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Vanderbilt_Fall2006) so that other incoming Indian students could also benefit from them.

Thanks,
Arundhati