I Commute From … Auburn Hills

By MACKENZIE ROGER

Staff reporter

Although the commute only averages 10 minutes each day, junior Lia Mastracci is keenly aware of the advantages that living off-campus give her.

One of the approximately 12,000 commuter students per year, Mastracci has commuted each year she has gone to OU, this year from Auburn Hills.

As a college student, despite Mastraccis’ nearly full-time work schedule at Saks Fifth Avenue Salon, she finds time to visit the local hangouts in Auburn Hills.

Though she may not have a lot of free time, Mastracci enjoys going out to local restaurants with her boyfriend. Some of their favorites include Stan’s Dugout, Bistro Bordeaux, and the Toasted Bun, all of which are located in the downtown area of ‘the Hills’.

Despite the reasonably-priced food there, Mastracci finds little to do otherwise.

“Auburn Hills hasn’t got a lot going on for it besides the Palace for sports games and concerts,” adds Mastracci. “The downtown is not comparable to one like Royal Oak or Birmingham.”

Mastracci may seem quick to criticize her city of residence, but she always finds time to spend most of her leisure time in Auburn Hills.

“There’s always the Palace,” said Lia. “I’ve actually got tickets to see Dane Cook in concert at the Palace on June 12th.”

In the future, Mastracci in planning on moving to a warmer climate, but for right now, she is content right where she is—10 minutes from school, and just a little further from thriving downtown cities.