Lafayette/W. Lafayette, IN vs. Champaign-Urbana, IL (Bloomington, West Lafayette: houses, rent)

[ndb]

Could someone who has experience with both Champaign-Urbana, IL and Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN give me a decent comparison? Things I'd be interested in are, job market, culture, diversity, environment, economic development, cost of living, anything else.

I'm pretty happy with all of those aspects in C-U and I really like the university town feel but would really like to get another outside opinion as my wife has been thinking about going to Purdue.

[Hokieed]

My wife and I almost went to C-U as well, but decided on the program at Purdue instead. The people were a much better fit for her and the school has a great reputation. Being that they are not too far apart geographically, I guess they can't be too much different. Can they? College towns all seem to be pretty much the same as far as all the things you listed.

[ndb]

Originally Posted by Hokieed

My wife and I almost went to C-U as well, but decided on the program at Purdue instead. The people were a much better fit for her and the school has a great reputation. Being that they are not too far apart geographically, I guess they can't be too much different. Can they? College towns all seem to be pretty much the same as far as all the things you listed.

That is what I'm thinking, but honestly, I don't know. I like the diversity that a major university town allows, and CU offers that, as I've found in the 8 years that I've been here.

[Hokieed]

You know, people here in VA near Washington, DC sometimes commute 2 hours EACH WAY to go to work. Perhaps your wife can commute to Purdue. (Kidding) That would be horrible.. not to mention very expensive.

I guess you will have to just take a weekend trip to West Lafayette, visit the area and talk to as many people as you can. That's the best advice I can give.

[ndb]

Originally Posted by Hokieed

You know, people here in VA near Washington, DC sometimes commute 2 hours EACH WAY to go to work. Perhaps your wife can commute to Purdue. (Kidding) That would be horrible.. not to mention very expensive.

I guess you will have to just take a weekend trip to West Lafayette, visit the area and talk to as many people as you can. That's the best advice I can give.

That has actually been considered, and, unfortunately, would likely have to be the case until we sold out house in CU. We can't really afford to pay for two houses at the same time and I know there would be a length of time that one or both of us would have to make the haul. I don't look forward to it if it does happen.

[M TYPE X]

Champaign-Urbana has a more urban feel than W Lafayette or Bloomington. There are a number of women here in CU that have fiances at either school in Indiana.

[Hokieed]

wow, thats quite a daily haul. I hope they have compacts with great gas milage.

[ndb]

Originally Posted by Hokieed

wow, thats quite a daily haul. I hope they have compacts with great gas milage.

ehhh, mine is not too bad. Still, I wouldn't want to do it too long just because it's 4 hours out of my day that I could be doing something useful or fun. Like I said, it's not anywhere close to for sure but I like to try and know my options.

[MFH]

Originally Posted by ndb

Could someone who has experience with both Champaign-Urbana, IL and Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN give me a decent comparison? Things I'd be interested in are, job market, culture, diversity, environment, economic development, cost of living, anything else.

I'm pretty happy with all of those aspects in C-U and I really like the university town feel but would really like to get another outside opinion as my wife has been thinking about going to Purdue.

I currently live in Lafayette. I went to school in Champaign. The universities have two very different personalites. Purdue is more conservative, as are the students and staff. Less crime here too.