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Arriving to Erie, Pennsylvania in Wintertime/during the Christmas and New Year Holidays

Late December and January weather in the northern states of America (and, particularly, in Erie, Pennsylvania) promises low temperatures, snow, ice, and cold wind! It can make your first days in the area a challenge, so we invite you to please read through the following suggestions on how to stay warm and move around from place to place in safety and comfort to meet your arrival needs.

Transportation

Winter weather often causes delay for planes, trains, and buses. Unfortunately, if weather is the cause for a delay, companies are not legally obliged to compensate you for lost connections, meals, or overnight accommodations. Many transportation companies and the staff of airports and train/bus stations will, however, make an effort to assist you in meeting some of your needs. What can you do?!

• Be sure to call or search online the status of your scheduled departure and how delays will affect connections. Be prepared to stay overnight at a connection point, possibly at your own expense, if the weather turns bad.

• Submit the Gannon University Arrival Form at least two weeks before your arrival to Erie if you intend to request assistance with local transportation. We will confirm pick-up dates, times, and location by email and phone in advance of your arrival.

• If you plan to arrange for your own local transportation, be aware that outside of taking a taxicab with door-to-door service, you may need to walk a short distance in the snow or ice. Dress warmly from head to toe!!
  • Erie Airport: The airport lies some distance from campus, although it is close to some area hotels. You can use special hotel shuttles from the airport directly to a hotel, take a taxicab, or board a city bus to travel into the city and onto campus.

  • Amtrak Train Station: The station is about 4-9 blocks from local hotels, Gannon University, and nearby student housing.

  • Greyhound Bus: Greyhound buses arrive at the Intermodal Transportation Center on the lakefront, about 6-10 blocks from local hotels, Gannon University, and nearby student housing.

  • Erie City Bus: (company known as the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority) You can catch a bus from the airport, train station, or Intermodal Transportation Center and stop at Perry Square in downtown Erie, which is about 2-8 blocks from local hotels, the University, and student housing. You can take the Bayfront Trolley for free up to Perry Square near Gannon University, or if the schedule does not suit you, the cost each direction for other city buses is $1.10 (one dollar and ten cents; you can purchase a ticket or pass at the Intermodal Transportation Center or use exact change on the bus). All buses marked M will travel on to the Millcreek Mall shopping plazas.

  • Taxicabs: There are several Erie taxicab companies, but Erie Yellow Cab company has taxis waiting at the airport upon arrival, or you can call and arrange for a pick-up. The average rate of a ride from the airport to Gannon University is $15.00 and, of course, a cab can also take you to other locations, but plan to pay a little extra: 814-861-8294.

Temporary Housing

Unfortunately, Gannon University does not have campus housing for temporary stays or for graduate students. You will need to consider some of the following options for your temporary stay until you can find affordable, comfortable, and convenient permanent housing.

Hotels: Near campus, hotel rates start at about 60.00 per night; rates per night may be lower staying in hotels closer to the airport. If you are arriving to Erie through the local airport, look for direct phone lines to area hotels where you can learn more about rates, availability, and transportation.

• Avalon Hotel: This hotel is only about 3 blocks from campus. (814.459.2220)

• Super Eight (Downtown): About 4 blocks from campus. (814.456.6251)

• Downtown Erie Hotel: About 10 blocks from campus. (814.456.2961)

• Other Hotels: Look online through your favorite search engine for other Erie hotels.

Lodging with Student Volunteers: If you have requested assistance---at least two weeks in advance---with temporary housing, Gannon students may be able to offer you temporary accommodations for a short period after your arrival. This housing is not offered by the University, but rather by students who set their own terms and make their offer on a voluntary basis.

Clothing

Although it is not necessary to pack a full range of cold-weather clothing (since you may not have room in your luggage for the bulk and you will be able to purchase clothing here locally), you should still plan to dress warmly for your final arrival in Erie. If you do not have a heavy coat with you, plan to wear several layers of clothing and also to wear shoes that are sturdy and well-soled. It is good to have a hat, gloves, and scarf, as well, but otherwise you can purchase these items soon after your arrival.

Once you settle into temporary or permanent housing, you can take an EMTA (city bus) from Perry Square down to the Millcreek Mall shops and purchase clothing. It is also possible to buy good quality used clothing at area thrift, consignment, and second-hand shops. There is a thrift shop in downtown Erie a few blocks south of campus, Erie City Mission Thrift, 914 State, and also a Salvation Army store within a half mile of campus at 1209 Sassafras. You can locate other second-hand, thrift, and consignment clothing stores by consulting the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory or using your favorite online search engine.

In the first weeks after class begins, the ISO and Gannon University’s Student Government will also begin to sponsor weekly shuttles to area stores that will allow you to purchase clothing and food.

Permanent Housing

With your arrival so close to the holidays, it may be difficult to make contact with area landlords and property managers who typically take time off to celebrate Christmas (December 24,25) and New Year’s (December 31, January 1). Be prepared to stay in temporary housing for a longer period of time if you arrive anytime during the holidays.

Undergraduate students should check in with Student Living (814.871.7564) to learn how to secure a key, but generally speaking, the residence halls will open Sunday, January 13, 2008, 8am.

As mentioned earlier, Gannon University does not offer campus housing for graduate students. Graduate students will need to search for housing independently, but there are a number of apartments and rooms available near campus. You can begin the search online from your home country or by making phone calls to area landlords and property management companies to set an appointment for apartment viewing. The ISO will make catalogs and other apartment listings available to you after your arrival.

Despite the cold weather, it is also possible to walk through the neighborhoods near Gannon and get an idea of what is available from signs and notices posted on the buildings.

Keep in mind that with the cold weather, your housing expenses will be higher because of heat and electricity, and you should be sure to ask specifically about what the projected costs for these utilities will run above the rent and any other required deposits.

It is important to note that while a larger group of students staying together in one apartment may be a workable arrangement for a short period, you are discouraged from living with more than 3 to 4 persons to an apartment on a long-term basis as such an occupancy may be against city ordinances and could jeopardize your ability to continue renting apartments in the area near Gannon University.

Use your favorite search engine for Erie apartment listings, or here is one site to get you started: http://www.rentalguideerie.com/. You will receive more information about leases, starting your heat and electricity services, etc. at International Student Orientation in January or by stopping in to the ISO for our informational sheets.

Food

Again, because so many area businesses close during the holidays, you may not be able to find as many open restaurants and grocery stores at the end of December and the first few days of January. The Waldron Student Center on campus also has shortened daytime hours and is closed throughout the holidays as posted on the Gannon University Web pages.

Nevertheless, a few grocery stores remain open in the downtown area, and you will be able to take a city bus from Perry Square to other large shopping centers located south of campus. Once classes begin after January 14, you will be able to take an ISO or Student Government shuttle to reach area grocery stores.