<p>I've lived in Philadelphia my entire life, and I love it. But now I've fallen in love with Cornell. My issue is this: Would I be able to live (and enjoy living) in the fundamental opposite of where I've spent my entire life? I love the abundance of things to do and places to go in the city. The diversity of activities, people, music, and entertainment really hold me. But Ithaca has stars, and I've always wanted to see stars. And Cornell is just a really magnificent school.</p>
<p>Has anyone made that switch? How's it working out for you?</p>
<p>Cornell is far from rural. I’m not sure if you’ve visited, but the town is very much focused on the college. There are many eclectic shops, clubs, restaurants, and bars. Cornell has the healthy nightlife of a city, but its isolation means that the scenes are homogenously based on the student population.</p>
<p>Ithaca is very small, but the college and town atmosphere are lively.</p>
<p>ithaca is a great college town. wonderful restaurants, theaters, bookstores, funky shops. Great parks, beautiful lake. Between Cornell and Ithaca College there are tons of events always happening. Worst things about Ithaca are that it is very hilly, so driving in the winter is problematic…speaking of driving…parking is at a premium. Also because of the two colleges in town off campus rents are really high. (although not compared to a big city I suppose).</p>
<p>I haven’t entirely made the switch; where I came from wasn’t really urban.</p>
<p>But I have grown used to the long walks across campus. It takes me about 20 minutes to get to class from my dorm and parties are about a mile away, but I have learned to enjoy these walks. There are waterfalls and plenty of trees to make a walk enjoyable. I personally like the winter and fall weather at my school.</p>
<p>Also, I cannot say I know anyone who goes to collegetown monthly, and definitely not more frequent than that. Maybe outside of campus, the area seems like a suburb on a giant hill, but inside it seems to be spread out and full of natural beauty.</p>
<p>This seemed like a cornell-specific thread, you should probably post it in the Cornell University Forum</p>
<p>Cornell is not rural at all! The areas surrounding Ithaca are very rural, but Ithaca itself, not a chance. It’s a very small city, but it’s so nice! There’s a lot to do in Collegetown (great eats, theatre, concerts)…plenty of bars to hang out at. More than enough parties…</p>
<p>I came from a place in the middle of cornfields(Purdue) to Johnson & Wales which is in Providence. I prefer the middle of the cornfields. HATE the noise, traffic, city life, and ignorant/self-conscious people… Gah.</p>