Tell me about Yale and New Haven, CT

[Ruken]

I'm trudging off to the cold (for this desert boy) city of New Haven in September to start trying to get a Ph.D. at Yale. I've been to New Haven once to visit the school, but I was only there for one night and I didn't see much of the city. Can anyone tell me what life is like around Yale? Is there lots to do? Not that I'll have much time. 70 hrs of chemistry/week != lots of partying, but one has to take a break every once in a while. Are there good restaurants? I'm not really sure what else to ask. Please let me know what you like or dislike about the area.

[elfbabe]

There's a really neat Ethiopian restaurant right off campus that I really liked. Or at least there was about four years ago. Otherwise, I can't help you too much.

[Olentzero]

Well, you could visit the Belle Skinner Collection (http://www.yale.edu/musicalinstruments/about.html) of Musical Instruments, if you're into that sort of thing.

[aruvqan]

Hm, I wonder if Mamoun's is still open...killer felafel, baklava, lamb patties...../drool

Don't worry, the rest of your co-students will know all the good places to go=)

Relax, have fun exploring in whatever freetime you have.

Now I really want to go over and see if mamoun's is still there and get some felafel=\

[Finagle]

With the caveat that I haven't been there in many years, New Haven doesn't have a reputation for being a particularly safe or crime-free city. The area immediately around Yale is OK, but much outside that and it gets a bit unsavoury. They may have cleaned it up some, but you may want to check with some people in the department to find out the real scoop.

That said, they do have a reputation for some fine pizza, particularly Sally's. You're going to be pretty near the ocean and you'll have easy access by train to NYC. You can head up I-91 for some skiing in Vermont. And it is Yale , so I imagine you can count on the occasional chamber music concert, at least :-)