Best college town in Indiana? (Indianapolis, Evansville: crime, credit card, lawyers)

[Micah Girl]

Originally Posted by j33

I'm going to echo Bloomington. I moved there from Chicago for 3 years for college and really enjoyed myself. It is indeed a small town (it was a bit of an adjustment for me) but it is a great little town with a lot to do and plenty of cultural opportunities...

Thanks for the input. I am a bit of a city girl myself and am wondering about small town life, but my husband is eager for it! I am assuming that since they are a college town they are friendly to newcomers????

[FinanceMom]

At the other end of the state, you could check out South Bend, Lafayette or or Valparaiso. South Bend is home to Notre Dame and is a decent-sized town. Lafayette (home of Purdue) was ranked in the top ten places to live in the country by Money magazine in terms of overall quality of life. Valparaiso (home of Valparaiso University) is a smaller town, but only an hour from Chicago. I used to live in Indianapolis but now am in Valpo and find the small town atmostphere so pleasant. We have great schools and plenty of shopping here but then just an hour away is everything the city of Chicago has to offer (museums, restaurants, theater, etc.) The real estate prices can't be beat, either. A lot of Chicago commuters here. It's the best of both worlds!

[domergurl]

As a former resident of Valpo, I second Finance Mom!!!

[irongrl77]

I have lived in Lafayette pretty much my whole life and I am currently in my junior year at Purdue. Lafayette has it all. It's large enough that finding jobs is very easy but not so large that it's uncomfortable. Because Purdue is in West Lafayette (considered another town right across the Wabash river) it is easy to choose whether you want to be involved in the college scene or not. For the most part, Purdue students stay in West Lafayette. I would recommend living on the south side of Lafayette. The housing market is very good and theres is lots of shopping and it's still growing by the day. I live on the southside and by getting on 231 S. you can be to campus in less than 10 minutes. Just my opinion but I'd take Lafayette over Bloomington any day.
Let me know if you'd like any other information!

[indy-bama_grl]

Ok brace yourself. I used to be ONLY a Purdue fan, but after I went to Bloomington, I became a traitor. I loved IU. The campus is beautiful. The people are friendly, but they also give you your space.

Nashville is nice too. It has a lot of fun for the kids, but has stuff for the adults as well. I think it is about 15 miles from Bloomington.

[Purdue1906]

Originally Posted by irongrl77

I have lived in Lafayette pretty much my whole life and I am currently in my junior year at Purdue. Lafayette has it all. It's large enough that finding jobs is very easy but not so large that it's uncomfortable. Because Purdue is in West Lafayette (considered another town right across the Wabash river) it is easy to choose whether you want to be involved in the college scene or not. For the most part, Purdue students stay in West Lafayette. I would recommend living on the south side of Lafayette. The housing market is very good and theres is lots of shopping and it's still growing by the day. I live on the southside and by getting on 231 S. you can be to campus in less than 10 minutes. Just my opinion but I'd take Lafayette over Bloomington any day.
Let me know if you'd like any other information!

I'm going to sound like a traitor here, but here it goes: I finished undergrad at Purdue and am in graduate school at IU. Lafayette/West Lafayette are somewhat nicer cities than Bloomington as it pertains to away from the campus area. When it comes to the campus area however, Bloomington blows West Lafayette out the water (that was painful to say, but its true, lol). The diversity in terms of dining, shopping, recreation and nightlife around IU is far superior to Purdue. I've had the pleasure of experiencing authentic cuisine from around the global while living here in Bloomington, most of which is a stone throw from campus (you have Indian, Mediterranean, authentic Italian, Thai, Japanese and Chinese all on one block of 4th street). Bloomington's international population is here for many of the schools. West Lafayette has a sizable international population as well, however, their is really no ethic flavor to WL in terms of dining, shopping, etc.

As for the cities, outside of campus, Bloomington is kind of a hole, while West Lafayette/Lafayette are far more pleasing to the eyes and to the mind. Honestly, there are sections of Monroe county 5 miles in any direction that any progressive thinking individual would not want to be caught stopped in. Never felt that way in L/WL. The mall in L/WL is superior to the Bloomington mall; but the downtown shopping in Bloomington is superior to anything in L/WL. Bar scene, Bloomington blows L/WL away again. As much as I hate to admit it, IU beats Purdue in terms of campuses; Purdue has a slight edge over IU in terms of cities. At least with Purdue, you're 1.5 from Chicago and 1 hours from Indianapolis; IU is 1 hours from Indy, 3.5 from Chicago and 2 from Louisville.

Hope I was of some help.

[kblum]

Nashville is absolutely beautiful-but not much there other than little shops. It is very "country" It would definitely be a safe place (not much crime), but also pretty quiet and not a whole lot to do. But, Bloomington is close and there is a ton to do there!

[astroline95]

anywhere that's not terre haute...

[camesquibel]

I am going to have to agree. Bloomington!!! I lived there for 7 years and just barely moved from there due to my husband getting a job transfer. The people there are very friendly, and you will feel safe. There were many times at 11:00pm I would head out for a snack or milk and not be afraid to go to Walmart or Kroger's. Good luck in your decision

[highliner]

Best college town in (almost) Indiana is Louisville,Ky. Go Cards!