<p>I first posted this on the Smith College board, but I thought it might be applicable to non-traditional students at other colleges as well.</p>
<p>I'm wondering what the dating life is like for non-traditional students (aged 25 - 35, let's say) at small liberal arts schools. I'm very interested in Smith, but concerned about limiting my dating options at this important time of my life. I'm interested in getting married and creating life in the next few years. I'm heterosexual, btw.</p>
<p>Are there lots of 18-22 year olds but no one for us? What do people our age do for a living if they live in, for example, the five-college Northhampton area, other than teach liberal arts students?</p>
<p>C'mon, dating is important, folks. :)</p>
<p>returningstudent:</p>
<p>Actually, the area in which Smith is located has a good number of grad students and 25-to-35 year-olds. Crazy, I know, but I was surprized. The last time I was there to visit a friend who teaches at Hampshire, I met many grad-school students that went to UMass.</p>
<p>Dating seems doable, although I might have gotten a skewed perspective...my friend and I spent a lot of time at venues in Amherst (the town), Northhampton, and at UMass (she was doing research). Another friend (male) does not have a problem meeting others in the area. He's a grad student, although I am not sure if he's talking about graduate students near his age (28) or a mix of grads/undergrads.</p>
<p>Hope this helps a little.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. I guess it will be a big adjustment getting used to small town life, even if it is <em>college</em> town life. :)</p>
<p>Yeah...</p>
<p>A slight bit slower & more mellow.</p>
<p>Could be a good thing, actually. But I do wish I had a dry run at slower life before I just jump right in. Have you lived in a college-y type area?</p>
<p>Yes, actually. I'm actually very familiar with Iowa City (parents moved there). Very much a college town...although the city itself is a little small. However, there is always something to do, and people to meet. Does not feel like an island in the middle of cornfield, that's for sure.</p>
<p>While Iowa City and the University of Iowa have similar opportunities (dating and otherwise) as the Northhampton/Amherst area the feel is a bit more rah-rah. New England is a bit more...reserved, although just as liberal.</p>
<p>I don't think you'll have a problem, as you are outgoing. No matter where you go, I'm sure that you will not have to look far for people who share your interests, and whom you can date. </p>
<p>Hope this is useful. :)</p>