Liberal college town- with a small town feel? Within an hour or so drive from pittsburgh? (Greensburg: home, neighborhoods)

[alchemistpa]

Hi-
I am trying to find a somewhat liberal college town that has a small town feel within an hour or two drive from pittsburgh- the closer to pittsburgh the better. I am looking for good school districts, some vegetarian places, walk to yoga, post office, the local pizza joint etc... The less driving the better! Oh- and I am looking for an affordable area!. Does this kind of place exist, or am I just dreaming? I have a five year old and want her to be exposed to different cultures and religions.....
Please help!~

[AaronClark]

Hmm.....Morgantown, WV maybe? West Virginia University is there. That's a little over an hour away. It may be a larger school than you were looking for however, and it's not in PA either (obviously).

[Copanut]

Describe "liberal college town". Does that mean everyone there is a lefty that lives off the government or wants wealth shared? Or does that mean there is a mix of cultures, races, and religions? Grove City College is a liberal arts college that is very conservative, try that one.

[fleetiebelle]

the closer to pittsburgh the better.

Just curious, why not Pittsburgh itself?

[alchemistpa]

Thanks for your replies!
I grew up in a small town (lititz pa) and I miss it! I have also lived in brighton heights in pittsburgh. Not a bad place... just doesn't have that small town feel that I miss. I wasn't sure if Bedford counted as a college town( isn't there a branch campus there??)

Liberal doesn't mean any of those nasty things. It means liberal. Politically. To me it also means open minded to those with differences, etc... I don't want my child to hear nasty words for gays or blacks, or hispanics, etc... on a daily basis. (I currently live outside of Pittsburgh and it is pretty close minded. I hear the N word on a regular basis.)
Looking for a place that has free thinkers. The ultimate place would have all kinds...

Also- (and I may be wrong here...) doesn't pittsburgh have pretty poor public schools?-

[ckhthankgod]

What about Indiana? Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Welcome to Indiana, PA

or Washington: Washington & Jefferson College

City of Washington

or California: California, PA 15419 | Working together as one.

Cal U: Welcome to California University of Pennsylvania's Web Site

or Slippery Rock: Slippery Rock University--Pennsylvania's premier residential university-Consumer's Digest "Best Value" choice

Slippery Rock, PA 16057

or Greensburg: City of Greensburg, PA - Home

Seton Hill University - A Leading Catholic Liberal Arts University in Greensburg Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

[Copanut]

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

[alchemistpa]

Wow- you guys are good...and FAST!
I am going to check these places out right now!

[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.

New Wilmington, home of Westminster College, would probably fit the bill. Liberal feel to it. Amish country. Quaint shops and restaurants. More open-minded and welcoming of people with ideas. About an hour north off of I-79.

[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.