Ithaca is similar to what other towns?? (New York, Rochester: best towns, hotels)

[organick]

What other towns or cities across the country would you most closely compare to ithaca ?? Interested in any info except cost of living. More the feel and vibe etc of it.

[ckhthankgod]

Ann Arbor, Berkeley, Boulder, Eugene and the like.

[boomvang]

Also Burlington, VT.

[organick]

thanks all, is there a thriving artist community in Ithaca?

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by organick

thanks all, is there a thriving artist community in Ithaca?

I'm pretty sure there is. I believe the Arts are big there. They have a Ballet and a lot of plays in the city. Here's some information you might like:Art Trail

Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art

State of the Art Gallery » Home

Ludgate Farms, Ithaca Artists - Ithaca Music - Ithaca Musicians - Ithaca Art

Ithaca

Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY

Cornell University

Complete guide to Ithaca, NY hotels, attractions, dining, shopping and recreation with maps and driving directions. The official web site of Ithaca, New York and Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau in the Finger Lakes.

Ecovillage at Ithaca

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/gr.../14havens.html

TCAT BUS : Home | Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, New York

Ithaca's Smart Monkey Cafe - Home

Castaways Music Schedule

Welcome to the Ithaca Ballet

Best Towns 2008: Ithaca, NY | Outside Online

#8 Ithaca, N.Y. - Kiplinger.com

The State Theatre of Ithaca, NY

Podcar City Ithaca 2008

Escapemaker.com - Ithaca, NY

The City of Ithaca, New York, The Cultural Magnet Destination City.

and much more....

[organick]

anyone else have comparisons??

[havoc315]

Comparisons are difficult. I have never lived anywhere else quite like Ithaca. It would mostly compare to other "small towns" centered around major universities.
Cornell University dominates the town in most ways, including visually as it sits atop a hill. Ithaca College and other educations institutions add to the atmosphere of being a college town.

There are no nearby major cities. Which leaves Ithaca itself as a mini-cosmopolitan center. Far more liberal than the immediately surrounding upstate areas. Yes, definitely has its own artist's community.

The Finger Lakes, in general, is a beautiful part of New York, and Ithaca is no exception. There is truth to the bumper stickers-- "Ithaca is Gorges"

The "local" town has a bit of a love/hate relationship with the University. The University is easily the largest employer, and support for the university, from housing to restaurants, etc, is the backbone of the town.

[organick]

thanks havoc. the isolation from other cities is nice. I appreciate the info, thanks

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by organick

thanks havoc. the isolation from other cities is nice. I appreciate the info, thanks

While it is isolated, somewhat, it is still close to other cities like Syracuse, Elmira, Corning, Cortland and Binghamton. All of those cities are within an hour of Ithaca. Rochester isn't that much further. Syracuse and Rochester both have areas that are close to college campuses with an artistic flair. In Syracuse, it's the Westcott/University area. In Rochester, it is the Park Avenue area.

[tchemgrrl]

Big chunks of Madison WI have a similar feeling, at least to me--I've enjoyed my time in both towns. Madison's considerably larger though.