Liberal college town- with a small town feel? Within an hour or so drive from pittsburgh? (State College: neighborhood, school districts)

[Bagger]

Originally Posted by COPANUT

Along the 79 corridor you have Grove City, Westminster, Slippery Rock, Thiel, Gannon, Allegheny, and Behrend. All good schools in decent small towns.

I graduated from Grove City.... GCC is not liberal at all. As a matter of fact, it's one of the most conservative schools in the country.

[Tallysmom]

Meadville, with Allegheny College might be a good fit. I liked it there when I went up to see a friend..... but I ended up at Penn State....

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Bagger

I graduated from Grove City.... GCC is not liberal at all. As a matter of fact, it's one of the most conservative schools in the country.

I was kidding, always laugh at the fact a liberal arts college is so conservative.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Geeo

Steer clear of Grove City, though. The college is Christian ultra-conservative. The town is cute, but they don't see much diversity in those parts, nor would they welcome it. The college even has an anti-gay policy. Show me where that is stated. If you're referencing the gay porn star they kicked out, the same would have happened to a straight porn star.

New Wilmington, home of Westminster College, would probably fit the bill. Liberal feel to it. Amish country. I've spent time in both towns, pretty similar, hardworking low to middle class. 99.99% white. Quaint shops and restaurants. More open-minded and welcoming of people with ideas. About an hour north off of I-79.

If everyone handled their finances like GCC, this would be a better country. They take NO money from the government and have no debt.

[Bagger]

Originally Posted by COPANUT

If everyone handled their finances like GCC, this would be a better country. They take NO money from the government and have no debt.

Maybe so, but the question was asking about liberal college towns, and I think that you're agreeing with me that GCC is not liberal.

A little history behind why they won't accept gov't funds.... they were against Title IX.

From wikipedia:
Grove City College - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Supreme Court case

Main article: Grove City College v. Bell
Under President Dr. Charles S. MacKenzie, the college was the plaintiff-appellee in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in 1984, Grove City College v. Bell. The ruling came seven years after the school's refusal to sign a Title IX compliance form, which would have subjected the entire school to federal regulations, even future ones not yet issued. The court ruled 6-3 that acceptance by students of federal educational grants did fall under the regulatory requirements of Title IX, but limited the application to the school's financial aid department.
In 1988, new legislation subjected every department of any educational institution that received federal funding to Title IX requirements. In response, Grove City College pulled out of the Stafford loan program entirely, and established its own loan program in association with PNC Bank. The move earned the respect and admiration of many influential academics, including David Warren, the president of the National Association of Colleges and Universities. Warren said in a 1996 interview that Grove City has a "history of making bold and principled decisions. And a lot of colleges sympathize with what they've done."[9]
Currently, Grove City does not allow its students to accept federal financial aid of any kind, including grants, loans, and scholarships


Frankly, even though I no longer support many conservative causes, I'll give GCC credit for putting their money where their mouth is. They don't believe in it, and won't accept money that would cause them to change their belief.


But hoo boy, liberal they aren't.

And I think Title IX has had beneficial effects.

[ferrarisnowday]

Originally Posted by iwonderwhy2124

What you are looking for does not exist. The only places in western PA that even begin to meet your criteria are the Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Regent Square neighborhoods in the city of Pittsburgh.

I'd have to agree with this. There are a few other areas I have seen that have quaint little main streets that are in Allegheny County but not in the city itself. Once you get into real small towns, and not just small town ambiance, you are going to lose the diversity and politically liberal qualities that you want.

[bradjl2009]

You won't find what you're looking for in W PA or most of the country probably (maybe New England though)

[skyegirl]

How about State College....

[zip95]

Politically liberal and tolerant small town in Western Pennsylvania... No way!

Your only options are State College (2 1/2 hours away) or Sewickley (10 mins away)

[Drover]

Morgantown is your best bet. A lot of places suggested above are not liberal, even if they have a college situated within their borders. Some of them (Washington, Greensburg for instance) experience little cultural impact from the college itself -- certainly not the way major flagship universities often substantially influence the culture of the town they're situated in. Morgantown is one such place. It's no Berkeley but it's the closest you'll get in this region.