<p>Dartmouth seems like a fantastic college, but I don't really know too much about Hanover, except that that CB classifies it as a "Large Town." I don't know why, but I can't stand to be in rural areas. It could be PTSD from a camp I went to in rural Maine a few years ago (nothing wrong with the camp, just hated being in middle of nowhere. . . . so much that I stole a bullet from the rifle range so they'd kick me out, LMAO. It didn't work though :) ). </p>
<p>Anyway, I would just appreciate some feedback. If I can't walk down the block and end up in a store, or walk a half mile and end up in a city center I go crazy :) People are telling me that it's stupid to reject a college based on its surroundings, but that's just how I roll :D</p>
<p>Well there are alot of stores on the street right next to campus like a coffee shop, alot of expensive boutiques, a Northface store, a GAP, a music shop, Dartmouth clothing stores etc. I think the closest mall is in a different city, but most people go to Boston to shop at malls.</p>
<p>i thought hanover was kind of small and quaint (i was outside by myself at 1:30 am and wasn't bothered by anyone). it's a nice town, but i didn't think there were many/"good" stores around :( -some dartmouth students told me that if i wanted new clothes, i'd have to buy them at home or in some other city...</p>
<p>Yeah, Hanover's pretty close to Montreal. The other posters are right - we're very very close to town, and we're definitely not in the boonies by any means (the nearest mall is about a ten minute drive). However, if you want a city center, you'll probably have to take the coach down to Boston.</p>
<p>The population of Hanover is 10000 of which 5000 are related to Dartmouth. If you want Taco Bell, Best Buy, and K-Mart you have to drive to West Leb. which is a few miles South. Hanover is small and quaint. One of things that attracted my son to Dartmouth was the small town New England feel to the town and campus. He felt more comfortable here then in Providence or New Haven.</p>
<p>Hanover is the quintessential small New England town. Dartmouth feels very much in town and a part of the town. While it is definitely rural, it and the surronding area are very attractive. It is not hard-scrabble rural or ugly in any way. Across the river in Vermont are several similar up-scale towns including Woodstock. Woodstock is also quite beautful and a destination spot for folks looking for "real New England". </p>
<p>Downtown Hanover is quaint with a handful of streets populated by small shops where one, I imagine, can get most basic stuff like casual clothing and outdoor gear. It has a few places for casual dining. It is nice walk just off the D campus through and around downtown Hanover. The bookstore (Dartmouth Coop) is also downtown.</p>
<p>It's 2 1/2 hours to Boston by car, similar to Montreal. Dartmouth runs a regular bus service to Boston.</p>
<p>Seems like it is quaint, but also has some civilization around it, lol. Like I said, I normally don't go for rural areas, but it actually sounds like a really nice place. Thanks for the help, guys :)</p>
<p>I know something about large cities (being from nyc and all), and I love Hanover. Its quaint, small town feeling. You can get a good bite to eat right in town (whether murphy's, molly's, or jewel of india)... if u desire a bigger shopping area then there is west leb which is 10 minutes away by car. I wouldn't describe it as a college town (even if it is that). Its New England.</p>
<p>Yes, Hanover is a small town. Yes, there are larger cities within a few hours' drive of it - but there's no need to ever leave. Hanover as a town may be small, but it is always very busy and active. No one that I know ever leaves campus unless they have a reason to be going somewhere else. It's rarely, if ever, a "just-for-the-sake-of-it" type of excursion.</p>
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People are telling me that it's stupid to reject a college based on its surroundings, but that's just how I roll.
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<p>Actually, that is a perfect reason to reject a college. Some kids just want/need to be in a city, which makes Columbia and NYU extremely popular, not to mention the gazillion colleges in and around Beantown. In essence, the city becomes the campus community. In contrast, colleges like Dartmouth, Middlebury, Colgate & Cornell, amongst a bunch of others, offer something different. </p>
<p>Definitely visit prior to committing to a rural college, particularly if you "can't stand to be in rural areas."</p>
<p>btw: Montreal is ~190 miles from Hanover, or 3+ hours drive time (four on the bus).</p>
<p>I agree that the environment is a good factor in deciding whether or not a school is a good fit, but don't take this with the viewpoint that a city is somehow inherently better. I can think of many, many reasons why I prefer the rural environment of Hanover over a major metropolis. Also, one other thing to keep in mind - rural is not the same thing as boring and low key.</p>
<p>I actually personally feel colleges in cities lose much more than they gain. How many restaurants and bars can you go to? Campus based schools like Dartmouth offer such strong communities and such vibrant social lives vs. city schools that can be dead on the weekends. Also because campus based schools like Dartmouth have so much space, it leaves a lot more room for "random fun" like sipping hot cocoa while skating on the beautiful Occum pong, dining room tray sledding, frisbee on the green, jumping off the rope swing during the summer, bbqs, etc.</p>
<p>If you can't stand being in remote places DO NOT go to Dartmouth. Most of the people who come to Dartmouth choose it for just that. You could survive without taking advantage of the outdoorsey things, but you would honestly be missing so much from the Dartmouth experience.</p>
<p>I disagree with that. Not everyone at dartmouth has to enjoy outdoorsey-things in order to get the full experience. I think one of the biggest benefits of a relatively rural environment is that it keeps the campus a bustling place since everyone is always around. There is always so much to do, your friends are predictably around, and there is such variety at that. I can't say that I've ever heard anyone at dartmouth say that they're bored.</p>
<p>"your friends are predictably around" <-- i heard that because of the D plan, you never know when your friends might be on campus...(but i guess you were talking about when they are actually there)</p>
<p>I couldn't disagree more with the person who said that you are missing the dartmouth experience by not being the outdoorsy type. I am not. I don't run, I don't jump, I don't hike, I certainly don't do the camping thing. I am so f-ing happy with my decision to go to d-mouth. Its the friends, the teachers, the food (which is darn good if u ask me, its the parties. I'm sure the outdoor stuff adds to it, but its not essential at all.</p>
<p>arachnophobia, yes, you are right. that is one downside of the d-plan is that if yours doesnt align right with others' you could potentiall go 6 or 9 months without seeing certain people. What I was referring to was of those that are on campus, people usually stay on campus. People don't generall go to Boston or Montreal "just because"</p>