Rural College Towns-- my favorite communities! (lake, houses, cow, cost of living)

[disneyrecords]

Hey Forum,

I don't usually soapbox, but I need to pull a shout out for rural college towns. We made the move last year to my little community on the Western Minnesota prairie. While my friends back in the twin cities laugh, "You moved out there? Dirt.... School...... Dirt!" I smile when I think about how my cost of living decreased and my quality of life increased! No more urban battle-- two minute drive to work or 10 minute bike ride.

Being a college town, we are continuously immersed in the athletics and fine arts provided by the University. Additionally, the public schools benefit from all the college students completing classroom experience modules. The university's athletic facilities are open to the public like any gym membership.

I would also make the argument opposite of what you hear on the news. Rural people are healthier--at least in this community. Yes, I know in many areas this is not true, but I work in health care and am amazed by how well functioning people are into their 90s. Their labs look great, BPs normal, cholesterol under control, and excellent renal function.

True, we don't get professional operas coming to town. We will never be on Cirque du Soleil's tour, but this February, A Prairie Home Companion broadcasted live from the University. We are a biennial stop for Garrison Keillor. He is quoted describing our community as "the college town just west of Lake Wobegon."

TTFN,
disneyrecords

[windtimber]

Morris - a really nice town. Watched a football playoff at Morris back in 1977 or 1978 to see who would be going to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl [NCAA Division III]. The game was in the middle of a very nice blizzard, which didn't phase anybody at all! Seems like a place where all the women are strong, the men good looking, and all the children are above average.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by disneyrecords

...Rural people are healthier--at least in this community. Yes, I know in many areas this is not true, but I work in health care and am amazed by how well functioning people are into their 90s. T...

It was rural MN and WI senior housing co-ops (Homestead) that were used int he USDA study that indicated seniors live independently 10yrs longer in these co-ops, than in private homes / apartments.

Trust me, MN has some hearty old timers (as does IA, NE, SD, ND, WI)

Not sure the next generation of old folks will be quite so hearty. Maybe if more folks start using their Wii fitness programs.

[crazyme4878]

My husband and I have long said that a small college town would be ideal. Rural, small town community with bigger-city ammendities like better restuarants and coffee houses, active art community, lecturers, etc. Now if we could only get a job in one!

[Osito]

Oh I'll bet college towns are great. I visited Lincoln, Nebraska one year and had a blast! Would've considered moving there if I could stand the winters.

[disneyrecords]

Originally Posted by windtimber

Seems like a place where all the women are strong, the men good looking, and all the children are above average.

... not to mention all the powdermilk biscuits courtesy of the Catchup Advisory Board.

[TabulaRasa]

I also went to college in a small town in MN (not Morris, though). Loved it, it's my favorite atmosphere. I grew up rurally, though. I've lived my adult life thus far in both urban and rural areas, and adore both. But small, rural college towns are near and dear to my heart.

[Brave Stranger]

Rural college towns are a real good choice. Hanover NH has an Ivy League school: Dartmouth College. And Dartmouth has created one of the best hospitals in the world way up there near the Vermont border. Quality of life there is excellent.

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by Osito

Oh I'll bet college towns are great. I visited Lincoln, Nebraska one year and had a blast! Would've considered moving there if I could stand the winters.

But many small town fans would consider Lincoln too big for a small college town.

[robertpolyglot]

I dislike college towns quite a bit. (I think going to college in an urban center is better). They have a cultish, "ivory tower" feel, they are usually overpriced, and the people who want to hang on and be college kids in perpetuity are annoying, and usually "scripted" alternative types.

Many towns come to mind. At the top of the list would be Davis CA, home of UC Davis. It is part of the Sacramento metro area which is not California priced, but flat-as-a-pancake Davis, basically a cow town, with its "civic" amenities, whatever that means, is ridiculously priced and populated by a lot of these "nifty" types.