Quote:
Originally Posted by Buff
The best place to watch waitresses is Shark Club. I can't say I remember any of their faces though.
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I would give my vote to Backstreet on the Westside. More my style (both in terms of the bar and the staff; added bonus: they have faces!
), but both places have their merits I suppose.
Clubs
As for the nightlife, I will echo the "ugh" consensus already stated in this thread. Almost every bar plays the same music and rotates through the same clientele. I would, and do, prefer to save some cash for gas money and go up to Calgary once or twice a month as opposed to falling into the usual routine down here. But being your first year, I'd still check it out and see what you think. Maybe I'm just a jaded 4th year student.... Though if I'm drunk already, Jurassic Park (Soundgarden) is pretty fun. I feel as though it offers a glimpse into my future....for better or for worse.
Housing
But yeah, if you haven't stated already start scanning kijiji and the off-campus housing websites for places. I just moved to a new one and heard from the lady who manages the building that a lot of students (especially overseas students) are already renting. I don't know your budget or your living plans, but there are still some pretty affordable basement suites and apartments out there. I'd say definitely try to get something for July 1 at the latest. If you aren't ready to move yet most places will cut you a deal on rent until the semester starts. So ask, even if they don't advertise it.
Parking
I will also testify to parking being a bitch at the school. But i save money by only buying a pass for the first semester. I've never got a ticket in the past 2 years in the winter semester using the expired one, just so long as i stay in the same lot. If you want cheap parking, the church across the street has some sort of deal for students...but I've eitehr lived to close or been to lazy to check it out
Things to do
I'm getting my BFA as well and it's not a bad little arts town. And if you like nature, even better. There are a couple nice parks nearby and the riverbottom is a nice bike ride. The winters are considerably less fun, especially given clubs and pubs are pretty much the primary public entertainment option.
Restaurants
One thing I wasn't execting to find down here were all the quality restaurants. A few of my favourites are
Saigonese for Pho (and Vietnamese in genreal)
2 Guys Pizza (for delivery)
Tops Pizza (for dine in)
Firestone (for something a little classier but affordable)
O'shos (for sushi)
Bento Box (for a quick lunch)
Taj* (for indian, which includes an all you can eat buffet that lets you take home a doggie bag)
Abyssinian (Ethipoian)
The Guest Haus (for greasy brunch buffet/breakfast)
*the only restaurant I listed that is on the Westside. There are very view amenities on the Westside compared to the North and South but it looks like that might slowly be changing. And it is true, you can get pretty much anywhere in the city in under 15 minutes.