What is life in Urbana and Champain like?

[wheregirl]

Thanks. Which direction is "downwind"? How do yo avoid that? What is the problem with the south farms?

Which area around Champaine and Urbana still have forested land? And which of these forest/farm area are safe?

How is safe is Urbana and Champaine city?

Thanks.

[edsg25]

There is nothing wrong with Champaign-Urbana. It's a fine place. But to me, it just doesn't come across as collegiate as other Big Ten cities. That the university is neither adjacent to DT Champaign or DT Urbana cuts down on the college like nature. I'd say that Ann Arbor and Madison are in a class by themselves, the ultimate B10 college towns. I'd also eliminate Minneapolis and Columbus from the discussion due to their status as big cities. But among the others, I find both Bloomington and Iowa City far more collegiate that C/U with far more "personality" as well. I'm probably going out on a limb on this one (and plenty would rightfully disagree with me), but i personally think an argument can be made that Evanston (let's make that the "new" Evanston) is the best college town in state, ahead of C/U.

C/U does rate IMHO ahead of E. Lansing and certainly Lafayette/W. Lafayette. (State College is east and doesn't even belong in B10 country as far as I'm concerned).

[Drover]

Originally Posted by edsg25

I'm probably going out on a limb on this one (and plenty would rightfully disagree with me), but i personally think an argument can be made that Evanston (let's make that the "new" Evanston) is the best college town in state, ahead of C/U.

Being a 10-minute L ride to the north side of Chicago sure doesn't hurt.

[wheregirl]

You are probably right. Does the trees and space (a big deal for me) around Champaign-Urbana make up for the lack?

What is the "new" Evanston?

Originally Posted by edsg25

There is nothing wrong with Champaign-Urbana. It's a fine place. But to me, it just doesn't come across as collegiate as other Big Ten cities. That the university is neither adjacent to DT Champaign or DT Urbana cuts down on the college like nature. I'd say that Ann Arbor and Madison are in a class by themselves, the ultimate B10 college towns. I'd also eliminate Minneapolis and Columbus from the discussion due to their status as big cities. But among the others, I find both Bloomington and Iowa City far more collegiate that C/U with far more "personality" as well. I'm probably going out on a limb on this one (and plenty would rightfully disagree with me), but i personally think an argument can be made that Evanston (let's make that the "new" Evanston) is the best college town in state, ahead of C/U.

C/U does rate IMHO ahead of E. Lansing and certainly Lafayette/W. Lafayette. (State College is east and doesn't even belong in B10 country as far as I'm concerned).

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by wheregirl

You are probably right. Does the trees and space (a big deal for me) around Champaign-Urbana make up for the lack?

What is the "new" Evanston?

the new Evanston is a heckuva lot more exciting with more to do near the campus than the old, staid Evanston ever was.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by wheregirl

You are probably right. Does the trees and space (a big deal for me) around Champaign-Urbana make up for the lack?

What is the "new" Evanston?

Champaign County and the rest of central Illinois is not a heavily forested area. There are trees in town, and at the parks such as Allerton and Lake of the Woods to the west of town, Kickapoo to the east, but most of the countryside is treeless prairie with corn/soybeans growing on it.

[asearchforreason]

Thanks. Which direction is "downwind"? How do yo avoid that? What is the problem with the south farms?

Wind comes mainly from the west and southwest. The farms have pigs.

Which area around Champaine and Urbana still have forested land? And which of these forest/farm area are safe?

The rural areas are mostly clear cut so there will not be many trees. The city of Urbana prides itself as being a "tree city". It is some kind of award they've won for having planted a large number of trees. So the city itself, particularly the older residential areas, has a good number of trees. West Urbana (between Springfield, Lincoln, Florida, and Race) is probably the most heavily wooded, but many other residential parts of the city have trees.