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Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I'm applying to grad school and although I have done a lot of research, I find it difficult to tell what a city is like for the schools I'm looking at. I am looking for a quality graduate program in conservation biology/ecology, and many of them are in Texas, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and the like. I am a native Californian and am liberal and socially conscious (e.g. against objectification of women and thus Vegas-type places). Please don't tell me I'm trying to avoid diversity, because I grew up in the OC with a fundamentalist religious family, and I've had enough of the conservatives to last me a lifetime. =) I'm not looking for anything extreme, just not the superficial Hollywood culture in Los Angeles.
What I'm looking for in a university area:
-Mountains nearby (I'm an avid hiker/backpacker/camper)
-Outdoors culture
-Comparatively "natural" people (where people actually go to the grocery store and even bars without eyeliner)
-Liberal (e.g. eco-friendly, majority Democrat, Green party, etc.)
-Coffee shops, chill bars, at least some
-Not overly hot (e.g. Tuscon is not ideal because of this)
-Prefer trees in area
-Vegetarian options (I'm not veg, but prefer minimal meat)
I know it's a tough bill to fit. I realize that most university towns lean more towards the left, but I am in my late 20's and there is a good chance that this move will introduce me to a mate. I date a lot in SoCal, but find few people (men or women) with similar passion for the outdoors.
Where I already *think* I would like:
-Boulder, CO (University of Colorado) but it's a long shot for acceptance
-Corvallis, OR (Oregon State)
-Seattle, WA (U. Washington) also a long shot
I haven't been to any of these places. Berkeley isn't an option at this time. I'm also considering but want more feedback on:
-Ft. Collins, CO (Colorado State)
-Missoula, Montana (U. Montana)
-Madison, Wisconsin (UW Madison)
-Vancouver, BC, Canada (University of British Columbia)
-Flagstaff, AZ (Northern Arizona U.)
Thank you for any and all feedback!!! I know that program should matter more than anything, but this is a major move for me (solo) and I will need to find some kindred spirits.
Madison, Wisconsin (UW Madison) is good, it's not hot but it's way too cold and snowy during the winter IMHO. I also like UT Austin very much, Austin is an awesome city, liberal, lively, with a booming economy, decent night life, although it might be a bit too hot for your taste.
If you have any inclinations to look east the University of Vermont in Burlington has what you are looking for. Burlington is the coolest small city I've visited. Very liberal, four season outdoor activity, Beautiful, beautiful area and neat stores, bars, etc. My son was looking at another college when we were doing his college search and all of us loved Burlington.
Madison, Wisconsin (UW Madison) is good, it's not hot but it's way too cold and snowy during the winter IMHO. I also like UT Austin very much, Austin is an awesome city, liberal, lively, with a booming economy, decent night life, although it might be a bit too hot for your taste.
Austin is a great city, but the outdoor activities in the surrounding areas are somewhat limited, although the Austin and San Antonio have far more to offer in the way of outdoors than any other city in Texas (except for possibly El Paso). There are some very cool state parks in the Hill Country...Pedernales Falls, Enchanted Rock, Lost Maples, and Garner...but they are all 1-3 hours away. Lots of trails and mountain biking in close proximity to Austin though.
To the OP, Austin is quite liberal, but still diverse as there are many different types of people living here. Very laid back, many restaurants allow dogs and have vegetarian options. Great nightlife...dance clubs to dive bars and everything in between....plenty of coffee shops too. It fits your bill besides hot summers (awesome winters though) and being close to mountains.
What about UC Davis? Close to Tahoe for hiking, and I've heard they are more liberal.
Of course my being a native Oregonian I would say Corvallis as well. Did you look at Eugene in Oregon too? I believe it's more liberal than Corvallis.
What about UC Davis? Close to Tahoe for hiking, and I've heard they are more liberal.
Of course my being a native Oregonian I would say Corvallis as well. Did you look at Eugene in Oregon too? I believe it's more liberal than Corvallis.
I couldn't agree with you more. UC davis i would say is very granola. Not hippy, but mix of people. Small town, but close enough to Sacramento if you wanted some form of a downtown. Hiking, biking, boating, swimming.
I lived in Madison for several years as an adult, then went to the UW-Madison, and you will definitely find the following:
-Outdoors culture
-Comparatively "natural" people (where people actually go to the grocery store and even bars without eyeliner) [well, natural compared to a big city, anyway]
-Liberal (e.g. eco-friendly, majority Democrat, Green party, etc.)
-Coffee shops, chill bars, at least some
-Not overly hot
-Prefer trees in area
-Vegetarian options
Madison is a pretty city and has an awful lot going on for a town its size in terms of restaurants and the arts. It has a reputation of being liberal, and although there is a sizeable contingent of "liberals", there are also a lot of posers (people who say they are liberal/open-minded, but are close-minded when it comes to other viewpoints).
Wisconsin culture as a whole is extremely outdoors-oriented, so if you are looking to socialize [i.e. with singles] while pursuing outdoor activities, Madison is the place to be - swimming, boating, biking, hiking, camping (no mountains), skiing, snowmobiling. Wisconsin has a very heavy drinking culture too - no matter what the activity is, alcohol will be involved at some point. So the outdoor activities are often more "social" than "health" oriented. There are plenty of serious athletes in Madison; it's just that when I think of Colorado I don't think of people whitewater rafting and climbing mountains just so they can toss back a 6-pack or more when they're done (not that I've ever been there).
I agree with eatfastnoodle's assessment of the weather, but prefer cold weather over hot, so I didn't mind it so much.
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