The students are back and Michaelmas term has begun. For the graduate student, whose work never ends, life in Cambridge continues as usual. The longer queues at Sainsburys and slightly more crowded sidewalks are really the only noticeable signs that classes are in session.
There is one major difference, however, between this year and last year: we have no neighbors. Literally, none. Our floor is empty, save for us. In fact, while people do live on the other two floors of our building, at least half the flats this year are unoccupied. This situation results from several factors, including the college's ineptitude in allocating flats; the dissatisfaction by newly arrived couples with the state of their flat (which, having seen several flats in our building and realizing we got the best/cleanest/least moldiest one, is totally understandable) and promptly moving out; and the opening of the recently renovated W. House with flats for Fellows. Between those flats and the New [in 2007] Buildings, no one wants to live in H. House. I can't I blame them, though I must say that our flat is not terrible. It is sufficient and the rent is much cheaper than the other flats which at present is a good thing. We do have a lovely window seat, but the bar fridge and potentially-sketchy bathroom leave much to be desired. We are not complaining, but we will miss having neighbors this year and moving out of H. House is becoming ever more attractive. We'll see how many times we lose heat this winter. ;)
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