The first few months of graduate school can be a major transition. In addition to an academic experience different from your undergraduate experience, you are probably also in a new place. Ithaca is student friendly, but you may still need some help finding your way for the first few weeks. The purpose of this chapter is to tell you what you need to know to thrive in Ithaca. We begin by addressing the most pressing subject of all: where to live. After that we'll look at shopping, transportation, and health care in Ithaca and finally at other lifestyle topics which may impact some graduate students.
Despite our best efforts, this chapter may not answer all of your questions about living in Ithaca. There is also a guide to Ithaca published for free in the free newspaper ``Ithaca Times'' each September. There is also a book called ``Everything Ithaca'' that is quite good but unfortunately out of print. We also reccommend that you find your way in Ithaca by asking people! Ithacans are usually very happy to help you find what you need in this community - so ask questions of fellow graduate students, professors, and staff. If you think your question is one that should be answered by a future handbook, then please email egsa@cornell.edu.
Best of luck in making Ithaca your home!