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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Hi, we are a CA family trying to figure out the Midwest/East Coast. My kid is looking for colleges that have walkable towns/ethnic food plus the ability to find some anonymity. We happened to spend 4 days in Burlington last summer. I thought it might be a fit (loved the houses w/porch hammocks) but my kid felt it was too small - they saw the whole town in 2 days plus there wasn’t anywhere else you could easily escape to. (Love public transportation/definitely no car freshman year) 
Not looking for info on colleges in cities (Macalaster), big college towns (U mich) or ones with easy metro access (UMCP) 
Trying to get a sense of places like:
Williamsburg- William &Mary
Mass 5 college consortium
Appleton WI - Lawrence 
Kalamazoo MI 
Worcester MA - Holy Cross, Clark
I think they could be a fit for a small/medium school but they are used to city living and are introverted so occasionally want a break from people they know. Want to be able to take a 2 hour walk and listen to headphones or go to lunch/cafe/bookstore without running into all people they know. 
Welcome suggestions or if you had a similar kid, how did they deal/where did they go? Thanks 
[/quote]

I can speak to Williamsburg and the 5 college area in Mass. I don't think Williamsburg is what your kid is looking for. It's a lovely place with a small charming area next to campus and then Colonial Williamsburg next to that. But that area isn't very big and doesn't feel very urban.

The 5 college area is fantastic. But it depends which college she goes to. Amherst and U Mass are both in Amherst. Amherst is fine but it's not urban. More of a town. Mt Holyoke only has a few things next to it. Hampshire College is out in the middle of nowhere. Smith, on the other hand, is worth a look. It's right in Northampton. Northampton is a really fantastic small city. Very walkable and there is so much there to explore - boutique shops, great restaurants and yes there is def ethnic food, so many awesome coffee shops. There are so many unique fun and funky places. There's one chain store that I can think of (Urban) and the rest are local. Fantastic place. Check it out. I will say it's probably smaller than Burlington but there is so much there that it doesn't feel boring. My kid originally wanted to be in a larger city but loves NoHo.[/quote]

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