I’ve spent my college summers living in Bluffton, so I know it’s a memorable way to spend those wonderful months between May and August.
Tyson Goings. Photo by Kiera Suffel
Finding a place to live in Bluffton isn’t always easy, though. On-campus summer housing in the Riley Court Apartments is one option made available to students.
Tyson Goings, interim director of residence life, said the application for summer housing is currently open, but spots are filling up quickly.
According to the Bluffton University website, the rate is $350 per month to live with a roommate or $525 per month for a single room.
Bluffton’s campus in the summer. Photo by Kiera Suffel.
“Living in the apartments was a good experience. The apartments are really nice and comfortable, so it made living away from home in the summer a lot easier,” said Nicholas Hoffman, junior accounting and business administration major. “The campus in the summer is pretty quiet, but I enjoyed it because I was able to just walk around on the nice nights and enjoy the views it has to offer.”
Students who have lived in Bluffton over the summer are still able to use the Fitness and Weight Training Center in Sommer Center as well as the football field and track at Alumni Field.
“I enjoyed living here in the summer because I was able to taste how it was living by myself all summer,” said Isaac Zickafoose, senior sports and recreation leadership major. “The experience was also great because my best friend Mark Willis lived with me as well, so we trained together to get better for the next football season. I really like how all of the facilities were open and free, so we could use them at our will.”
In addition to Bluffton’s summer beauty and the perks of living on-campus, there’s also the chance to experience fun, summer-only opportunities in the village of Bluffton. Here’s a list of a few experiences you could enjoy by living in Bluffton over the summer.
Food trucks lined up at Foodie Tuesday. Photo provided by The Centre at Bluffton.
Check out Foodie Tuesday hosted by The Centre at Bluffton
Last summer, The Centre at Bluffton started “Foodie Tuesday,” an event that includes food trucks of all kinds as well as cold drinks and indoor seating. Foodie Tuesday takes place once a month from May through August from 4:30 until 7 p.m.
Explore the various bike paths
Although the bike paths are open year-round, the summer is when you really see them full of people. Whether you’re biking, walking, running or rollerblading, the bike paths are an excellent feature to the small town community.
The Bluffton Dari Freeze. Photo by Kiera Suffel
Take unlimited trips to the Bluffton Dari Freeze
The Bluffton Dari Freeze, often called the Whippy Dip, is the best place to get a cool treat in the summer, and it’s even within walking distance. This year it is under new ownership but will still have the same great ice cream the townies love!
Cool off at the Bluffton Community Pool
The Bluffton Community Pool is a place students really never get a chance to experience. The pool always has great music and makes for a fun afternoon of swimming and catching some rays. They are open Monday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. This year’s open date has not yet been announced.
Finds from the Bluffton Farmers Market. Photo by Kiera Suffel.
Shop local at the Bluffton Farmers Market
The first Bluffton Farmers Market of the year is set for Saturday, May 4 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. This is a great opportunity to get some local produce, homemade cinnamon rolls and other goodies.
“Bluffton kind of comes alive during the summer,” said Sarah Oliver, senior biology major and chemistry minor. “People are always out and about, and I loved being able to go to the farmers market on the weekend to get fresh veggies and jams for lunches during the week.”
Enjoy dinner on the patio at Luke’s
From June through August, Luke’s hosts live music on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. on their patio. The summer heat and live music makes for an enjoyable atmosphere.
Luke’s patio. Photo courtesy Kira Young.
