Head to Downtown Riverside on the first Thursday of the month and join the Riverside Artswalk, where you can explore the city’s galleries, studios and museums for free. Check out the latest exhibition at Riverside Arts Museum, visit the walk-in camera obscura in California Museum of Photography, and see experimental works at Sweeney Art Gallery. When you’ve worked up an appetite, meet friends to share bacon-flavored popcorn, fries and dark chocolate scones at The Salted Pig. Afterwards, enjoy live music or plays at Fox Theater, or take to the stage on Open Mic Night at Back to the Grind.

Enjoy an easy commute to class when you live at The Palms on University. Walk to the University of California, Riverside campus in three minutes, stopping at Starbucks for your morning coffee fix. When you want to explore your new home, drive to Downtown Riverside in 12 minutes, or head to LA for a day trip or weekend break – you’ll be there in around an hour by car.

Whatever you’ve been doing with your day, you’ll be happy to get back home to The Palms on University. Soak up the California sunshine beside the resort-style pool, or feel your stress float away in the hot tub. Burn off some energy with a game on the basketball or sand volleyball courts, or stay in shape with a workout in the fitness center, followed by a session on the tanning beds.

When you’re working on an assignment or cramming for exams, make your way to the computer center, where you can use the high-speed internet to power through your research, then print out your notes ready for class. If you prefer to work without distraction, sit at the desk in your spacious private room, or take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and make yourself comfortable on the sofa in your living area instead.

With work out of the way, fix dinner in your modern kitchen – there’s a microwave and dishwasher to save time on cooking and clean-up. Eat with your roommate in the dining area, then watch a movie on the 42-inch flatscreen TV, or meet friends at Tina’s Mexican Food for shredded beef tacos.