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Does anyone know of smaller cities with a cosmopolitan flavor? By smaller cities, I mean those under 100,000 people and that stand alone(not suburbs of a bigger city). I know that many college towns would fit, but are there any other cities that would as well? In NY State, the only cities that might are Utica and maybe Binghamton.
Does anyone know of smaller cities with a cosmopolitan flavor? By smaller cities, I mean those under 100,000 people and that stand alone(not suburbs of a bigger city). I know that many college towns would fit, but are there any other cities that would as well? In NY State, the only cities that might are Utica and maybe Binghamton.
I thought Waco had over 100,000 people? In Texas, I would think that maybe a city like maybe Galveston or Odessa would fit the bill. I guess I could extend the requirements to cities close to a bigger city too. Some "suburban cities" fit the bill of stand alone cities in terms of infrastructure and environment too.
I thought Waco had over 100,000 people? In Texas, I would think that maybe a city like maybe Galveston or Odessa would fit the bill. I guess I could extend the requirements to cities close to a bigger city too. Some "suburban cities" fit the bill of stand alone cities in terms of infrastructure and environment too.
What I mean is in terms of culture("diversity", arts, festivals, etc...)
Hmm....I noticed you stated Galveston, but that's part of the Houston metro area. I would say Charlottesville,VA is pretty cosmopolitan for a city its size. For a city its size; the residents are pretty progressive and open-minded. Their accents also remind me of DC.
Hmm....I noticed you stated Galveston, but that's part of the Houston metro area. I would say Charlottesville,VA is pretty cosmopolitan for a city its size. For a city its size; the residents are pretty progressive and open-minded. Their accents also remind me of DC.
That's why I opened it up a bit. I think there are many smaller cities near bigger cities that would fit the criteria. I know there are some near NYC that would probably make sense.
when you eliminate college towns, what exactly do you have left? It's like these, by their nature, break the mold: they attract intellectuals, draw a diverse staff, add a research component with related high quality businesses in need of a highly educated work force, are famous for keeping a number of their grads after graduation, and build an infrastructure in a smaller community like you describe (100,000, away from metro area, stand alone).
In short, at a time when the job market and the global economy is hitched to our largest cities and metro areas, our college towns hold out an exception to the rule.
And there aren't many other exceptions. Resort towns located in beautiful recreational and/or scenery related settings are special places that may have 100,000 people, but they lack the intellectual and cosmopolitan aspects of college towns.
State capitals work somewhat, but really are limited...unless they are that rare combination of state capitol/flagship public university
Thus if my thinking is right (and I'm not saying it is), than why not a college town? Yes, there may be negatives due to the extensive connection between university and town, but I think they are far outweighed by the positives.
Which ones fit the population range you have in mind and are truly special places? I'd say:
Charlottesville
Lawrence, KS
Iowa City
Bloomington, IN
Ann Arbor (satellite city of metro Detroit; definitely place of its own)
Boulder (ditto...to Denver)
Chapel Hill (although Research Triangle is somewhat of its own metro)
Athens, GA
Eugene, OR
If you don't mind stepping up another 200,000 and admittedly to a higher level of urbanity, you can't beat Madison.
University of California Santa Barbara (ranked in top 50 undergrad universities in USA. Could you imagine an ocean front spot for college?)
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