"America's Cool College Towns"

[cyfanatic]

No mention of an Iowa town...but an interesting topic...I have been to three from this article (Boulder, Madison & Ann Arbor) and have enjoyed all three towns...

America's cool college towns - CNN.com

 

[dtclones]

I really hope you wern't expecting to see Iowa City or especially Ames on that list...

 

[clones_jer]

I really hope you wern't expecting to see Iowa City or especially Ames on that list...

that's kind of a **** thing to say.

I've spent a lot of time in Madison and it doesn't have much on Ames except population and the enjoyment of their fart aroma.

 

[Cyrok]

that's kind of a **** thing to say.

I've spent a lot of time in Madison and it doesn't have much on Ames except population and the enjoyment of their fart aroma.

And 2 good sized lakes.

 

[clones_jer]

And 2 good sized lakes.

that are a complete pain in the *** to drive around

 

[jsmith86]

And 2 good sized lakes.

Which are only usable for things that are fun for about 6 months of the year (4 if you don't own a drysuit).

 

[clones26]

And 2 good sized lakes.

So The University of Okoboji should be on that list as they have 6 lakes? Honestly I have been to Madison as well and other than Halloween weekend it seemed like Ames to me. I am not saying Ames should be on there, but Madison shouldnt be either

(Yes I know the U of Okoboji doesnt actually exist)

 

[dtclones]

that's kind of a **** thing to say.

I've spent a lot of time in Madison and it doesn't have much on Ames except population and the enjoyment of their fart aroma.

Hey now, easy on the **** comments. I didn't say anything about Madison being a great town, all I meant is that Ames and Iowa City don't compare to a lot of college towns out there. There's nothing wrong with either of them and they are decent towns but there also isn't anything special about them. ISU's campus is way underrated and gets left out of a lot of polls like this, but as far as Ames as a college town, it's pretty mediocre.

 

[cyfanatic]

Hey now, easy on the **** comments. I didn't say anything about Madison being a great town, all I meant is that Ames and Iowa City don't compare to a lot of college towns out there. There's nothing wrong with either of them and they are decent towns but there also isn't anything special about them. ISU's campus is way underrated and gets left out of a lot of polls like this, but as far as Ames as a college town, it's pretty mediocre.

This is true...I do agree with you. And I am not ripping either campus (if EIU is actually a campus)! Or for that matter UNI's...very nice campus...but the towns they are all located in do not really stand out from many other towns in the USA. I like all three towns...but would I travel to visit any of them? Doubt it.

 

[cyclonenum1]

I've been to 6 of these places...this is a pretty eclectic list. A few comments:

+ Chapel Hill is nice
+ Not sure I would call Austin a "town"
+ Oxford is very similar to Ames IMO except its downtown is closer to campus and more quaint
+ I would rate Charlottesville as the best on this last (of the 6 I have been to)...far and away

 

[cyclonenum1]

Just thinking...I am surprised Athens, GA did not make this list just based upon reading the article.

 

[capitalcityguy]

It takes numbers, i.e...decent sized population... to create "cool college towns"...at least to the level to get on a list like this. Both Des Moines and ISU would have benefited greatly if the university had been established in the state capital, rather than in Ames.

Pls don't take this as an Ames vs DSM thing. It is just an observation that I believe is pretty universally understood. ie.....increase population = increased amenities.

 

[cycopath25]

No mention of an Iowa town...but an interesting topic...I have been to three from this article (Boulder, Madison & Ann Arbor) and have enjoyed all three towns...

America's cool college towns - CNN.com

Boulder, Colorado (University of Colorado)
In a town that always pops up on "healthiest cities in America" lists, bike trails are abundant and outdoor options are endless.
The Wild West begins along Baseline Road in Boulder, in the foothills of the Rockies known as the Flatirons, for their sharply angled faces. Rent climbing shoes from Neptune Mountaineering, whose in-store museum features dozens of ice axes and an early pair of Rossignol skis.
Local taste: The Chautauqua National Historic Landmark, built in the 1800s as a Methodist retreat, now serves up salmon with salsa verde on a wraparound porch. The on-site summer-camp-type cottages provide eagle-eye views toward the flatlands.


That town reeks of pot.

 

[aeroclone]

It takes numbers, i.e...decent sized population... to create "cool college towns"...at least to the level to get on a list like this. Both Des Moines and ISU would have benefited greatly if the university had been established in the state capital, rather than in Ames.

Pls don't take this as an Ames vs DSM thing. It is just an observation that I believe is pretty universally understood. ie.....increase population = increased amenities.

This is spot on. I think the benefits to both DSM and ISU would be huge if the school would have been located in the capital city.

 

[SeattleClone]

It takes numbers, i.e...decent sized population... to create "cool college towns"...at least to the level to get on a list like this. Both Des Moines and ISU would have benefited greatly if the university had been established in the state capital, rather than in Ames.

Pls don't take this as an Ames vs DSM thing. It is just an observation that I believe is pretty universally understood. ie.....increase population = increased amenities.

Sure there would be some mutual benefits to having a large university in a large city, but then I don't think it could be considered a "college town." UW is in Seattle, but I didn't consider Seattle a "college town."

 

[Tornado man]

It takes numbers, i.e...decent sized population... to create "cool college towns"...at least to the level to get on a list like this. Both Des Moines and ISU would have benefited greatly if the university had been established in the state capital, rather than in Ames.

Pls don't take this as an Ames vs DSM thing. It is just an observation that I believe is pretty universally understood. ie.....increase population = increased amenities.

I don't agree. State College is a much better "home" to Penn State than Harrisburg (state capital) would have been. It is a great college town.
Of the other great college towns I have been to: Boulder, Chapel Hill, Gainesville, Athens - none are big cities. Gainesville is a much better college town than Tallahassee (Florida State, bigger city, and state capital).

 

[cycloneML]

I grew up outside of Madison. I will take Ames any day. Madison is cool on football game days, but other than that it has the same feel as an east coast town. Chicago is much more friendlier and midwest feeling than Madtown.

 

[capitalcityguy]

I don't agree. State College is a much better "home" to Penn State than Harrisburg (state capital) would have been. It is a great college town.
Of the other great college towns I have been to: Boulder, Chapel Hill, Gainesville, Athens - none are big cities. Gainesville is a much better college town than Tallahassee (Florida State, bigger city, and state capital).

Well, nothing is guaranteed, but as a general statement I'm not sure how you could argue that DSM and the university together wouldn't offer more than each do on their own. Don't over think or over analyze (or try to somehow marry this idea with random examples cities throughout the US since you're talking multiple variables to consider then). I think it is very safe assumption that they would have been better together in terms of creating a "cool college town".

 

[Tornado man]

Well, nothing is guaranteed, but as a general statement I'm not sure how you could argue that DSM and the university together wouldn't offer more than each do on their own. Don't over think or over analyze (or try to somehow marry this idea with random examples cities throughout the US since you're talking multiple variables to consider then). I think it is very safe assumption that they would have been better together in terms of creating a "cool college town".

Yes, I think I misread your OP - to make a list such as this particular one, then yes, I agree that the larger the city, then the more attributes it has to offer.

 

[cyclonenum1]

It takes numbers, i.e...decent sized population... to create "cool college towns"...at least to the level to get on a list like this. Both Des Moines and ISU would have benefited greatly if the university had been established in the state capital, rather than in Ames.

Pls don't take this as an Ames vs DSM thing. It is just an observation that I believe is pretty universally understood. ie.....increase population = increased amenities.

I don't think you are correct here...Oxford MS made the list and is smaller than Ames...and the nearest "city" is further than DM is from Ames (that would be Memphis).