Anonymous
Post 03/01/2024 10:39     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Anonymous wrote:So many of these are not “towns” but cities


+1

RE towns, I would say Brunswick, Maine.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2024 10:31     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Anonymous wrote:Chapel Hill (even though Linda's just went out of business 😭)


This is so depressing. When I was in school, the manager of Linda's was the house mother of my sorority house.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2024 10:18     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So many of these are not “towns” but cities

True. There is a difference between "college town" and "cool city to go to college in."

For example, my DD really loves going to college in New Orleans- it is totally part of the draw for Tulane. But I wouldn't consider NOLA a college town. Just a very cool city that's fun to be a college student in. UCLA? Incredible location in a city with endless things to do and see. But I definitely wouldn't consider LA a college town.


While I kind of agree with your general premise, I partially disagree with your UCLA example. Los Angeles isn't a college town, but I'd argue that Westwood Village is. It's like a small island in the middle of LA--e.g., it's contiguous with the campus, brimming with UCLA students, and the shops, restaurants, and bars cater to those students. I think it's possible for some some colleges to have their own well-established town/micro-community within yet also distinct from a larger city/urban area.


100% agree. DD is a senior at UCLA and I have spent a lot of time in Westwood. It is absolutely a college town dropped in the middle of a world-class city. I was just there this past weekend visiting DD and a we were just talking about this with a group of her friends. They all talked about how UCLA was a great place to go to school becuase of Westwood being a great college town, but also having access to the beach, mountains, and great city.


'world class'- LA is a hellhole.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2024 09:59     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Wisconsin
UNC
UVA
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2024 08:53     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Anonymous wrote:Gainesville, of course!


+1. It’s a true college town. Lots of really cool things to do in nature nearby too. Unmatched school spirit all over town.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2024 08:42     Subject: Re:What are the best college towns?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:No, Iowa City is miserable.


+1

It is really really small and not really charming.


It charmed the hell out of us!
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2024 08:41     Subject: Re:What are the best college towns?
Anonymous wrote:No, Iowa City is miserable.


+1

It is really really small and not really charming.
Anonymous
Post 03/01/2024 08:33     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Bloomington, IN
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 23:46     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Walla Walla, Washington
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 22:48     Subject: What are the best college towns?
State College, PA
Burlington, VT
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 22:32     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Carlisle, PA is a great college town!
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 22:02     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Charlottesville
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 21:44     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Blacksburg


How does Harrisonburg compare to Blacksburg?


DP. Both have cute little downtowns. Harrisonburg has more of a "historic downtown," with the courthouse and quirky little shops. Blacksburg has more of a small college town feel. Both have lots of very good restaurants. Harrisonburg is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley while Blacksburg is in the mountains - gorgeous.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 20:51     Subject: What are the best college towns?
I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned Bozeman, Montana (BSU) yet, but I would happily spend 4 years there before heading into the real world.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 20:03     Subject: What are the best college towns?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So many of these are not “towns” but cities

True. There is a difference between "college town" and "cool city to go to college in."

For example, my DD really loves going to college in New Orleans- it is totally part of the draw for Tulane. But I wouldn't consider NOLA a college town. Just a very cool city that's fun to be a college student in. UCLA? Incredible location in a city with endless things to do and see. But I definitely wouldn't consider LA a college town.


While I kind of agree with your general premise, I partially disagree with your UCLA example. Los Angeles isn't a college town, but I'd argue that Westwood Village is. It's like a small island in the middle of LA--e.g., it's contiguous with the campus, brimming with UCLA students, and the shops, restaurants, and bars cater to those students. I think it's possible for some some colleges to have their own well-established town/micro-community within yet also distinct from a larger city/urban area.


100% agree. DD is a senior at UCLA and I have spent a lot of time in Westwood. It is absolutely a college town dropped in the middle of a world-class city. I was just there this past weekend visiting DD and a we were just talking about this with a group of her friends. They all talked about how UCLA was a great place to go to school becuase of Westwood being a great college town, but also having access to the beach, mountains, and great city.