Former College Student
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9/21/2006
Portsmouth is a poor town. However, Shawnee State University is located there--a good place to get a highly-affordable college education. The people there are very nice and easy to make friends with--once you make friends in Portsmouth, you won't mind coming back to visit every now and then. A downside to Portsmouth is the bad economy and high drug crime, as well as ghettos, and there aren't very many nice houses to live in. I didn't feel very safe on the streets at night. One time during the day, I witnessed an attempted carjacking as well as a related car chase going down the wrong way on a one-way road. Speaking of one-way roads, there are too many of them in the town. If you're not from Portsmouth, the transit system is rather annoying and confusing. A lot of people in the town complain that there is hardly anything to do. But I disagree. When I lived there, I viewed the history-telling murals along the Ohio river, performed at open mics in the local coffee shop (that later closed, unfortunately) and bars, attended and performed in college and community plays held at the university. Also at the university were interesting lectures, a blues music performance, three famous comedians, a show at the planetarium, an antique car show, and even local bands playing down by the river at a festival or at the local park (for free, mind you!). It's neverending the fun you can have--you just have to keep your eyes and ears open to what is going on there. Not only that, but there is Shawnee State Forrest nearby and a golf course. Lots of little second-hand shops and antique shops also. Rent is affordable in town. Also, there's a hospital and grocery store within walking distance of the college. In addition, there's a historical underground railroad, a brewery/restaurant, and the occasional flooding near the flood wall by the river.
Laura | Manchester, OH