Surrounded by college students
Of the 48,000 residents in Logan, only about 14,000 of them are students. So how does the rest of the population feel about living in a college town? Several Logan residents feel a college town is a great place to be.
Bob McKoy, financial planner who lives north of Aggie Village student housing, moved to Logan from Washington, D.C., three and a half years ago. He said he and his wife decided when they left northern Virginia they would move to a college town, and Logan seemed to be a good fit.
“All the things associated with the university provide so many things to do,” McKoy said. “Continuing education if you wish it, athletic events, art and performance events. There is plenty to do in Logan because the university is here.”
McKoy said for the most part he has been impressed with the students. He jokingly said the one downside to living in Logan is that he has a son attending USU who occasionally brings friends home for parties.
“When students are (respectful) on a personal level, I’d like to think they’re doing it on a public level,” McKoy said.
McKoy said he often visits a park near his home where students frequent and it seems they are respectful towards property and other residents of Logan.
“Students are very respectful of the environment and are doing a good job maintaining it,” McKoy said.
What about traffic and congestion in shopping malls and grocery stores in a college town? McKoy said compared to Washington, D.C., Logan has very minimal traffic.
“It is a matter of scale. I have to laugh hysterically because people in Logan have no clue what traffic is like,” McKoy said.
McKoy also said he doesn’t feel students make shopping more difficult, even at busy Wal-Mart.
“Personally, I find Wal-Mart to be slammed, like the one here in town is, everywhere,” he said. “It is always insane, even in the summer when students aren’t here. I haven’t seen that the students are causing undue difficulty for the residents of town.”
Sheri Nielson, home and auto insurance agent who lives just east of the Student Living Center, has lived in Logan for 45 years. She said she enjoys living in Logan because it is convenient to have the university so close.
“It’s a good place for kids to get an education,” Nielson said.
She said she doesn’t see many disadvantages to living so close to campus. She said noise and irresponsible behavior from students has never been a problem.
“There are kids that can act up, but you will find that anywhere,” Neilson said.
Mary Beth Miederhauser grew up in Providence and raised her children in Logan. She said all three of her children graduated from USU and currently has one grandchild attending. Miederhauser lives about four blocks from campus and said she has always enjoyed it.
“It’s great. I haven’t minded it at all,” Miederhauser said. “I don’t think there are any disadvantages. It’s a nice place to live.”
She said she noticed more traffic and congestion with school in session, but said that’s just something that comes with the territory.
“There is more traffic and you just live with it,” Miederhauser said.
Overall, she said there are many benefits to living in a college town.
“There are always things going on. If you enjoy sports there’s always the football and basketball games,” Miederhauser said. “It’s just a very educational little town.”
–karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu