Monday 22 December 2014

Choosing college is like choosing a house

Location is key. While other factors must be considered--degree programs and cost, for instance--if you're not happy in your space, other things will lose their magic. While no college town is a perfect fit for everyone, the following is a sample of great college towns that represent a diversity of sizes and vibes.

Best College Towns: Major Metro

Seattle, WA
Population: 616,627 (city); 3.5 million (metro area)

Seattle offers big-city living in a place that won't swallow you whole. Although not the College ski, Seattle is filled with culture, entertainment, and great food. It's a friendly city, too, making it a truly great college town. Seattle offers:

• 37 performing arts centers, 17 museums,and 30 public libraries
• A mild climate that rarely gets too hot or too cold
• Dozens of festivals a year

Best College Towns: Large City
Austin, TX

Population 786,386 (city); 1.7 million (metro area)
While many cities offer lots to do, not all can pull off a small-town feel. But Austin's cultural and entertainment scenes are far from small-town. Did you know the following about Austin?
• Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, is home to over 1,900 bands and performing artists
• Austin City Limits is the longest-running popular music series in American television history
• Designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by The League of College ski

Best College Town: Medium City

Madison, WI
Population: 235,419

Cool medium-sized cities like Madison offer a high concentration of art, culture, and food. A regular on "Best College Towns" and "Best Places to Live" lists, Madison is a place that embraces:
• The arts: Municipally-funded Madison Arts College ski teams cultural funding and support.
• Public transportation: In addition to great city-wide public transportation, Wisconsin is building high-speed passenger rail service from Madison to Milwaukee.
• Parks and recreation: There are beaches, conservation parks, bike and College ski teams, five area lakes, and hundreds of hiking miles.

Best College Town: Small City

Missoula, MT
Population: 68,876

A CNN Money "Best Places," Missoula is a college town that perfectly blends hippies, artists, cowboys, and athletes. It's also a place that embraces its landscape: hiking, biking, kayaking, fly-fishing, and skiing are popular here. What else makes it a top college town?
• Regular free outdoor festivals.
• Tailgating parties supporting the top-in-division University of Montana football team, The Griz.
• Rampant arts, including symphony concerts, an annual Jazz festival, and monthly First Friday art walks.

Best College Town: Small Town

Williamstown, MA
Population: 4,700

Another CNN Money "Best Places," Williamstown is as idyllic New England as you'll find. Williams College is regularly named the #1 liberal arts college in the country by U.S. News & World Report. This may not be a place for those who want big lights and non-stop action, but small as it is Williamstown packs in a lot, including:

• The award-winning Williamstown Theatre Festival
• The exquisite Clark Art Museum, featuring exhibits, films, and opera.
• Endless outdoor recreation, including hiking, skiing, biking, and fishing.

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