<p>... for towns with under 250,000 residents, according to the Institute of Economic Research.</p>
<p>It does have everything - small, quaint local restaurants and bars, along with Chipotle, Target, Walmart, BBBeyond, and Wegman’s. Easy to get around, little traffic. Good match for most kids.</p>
<p>It’s actually surprisingly pleasant here. The only thing I wish we had is a real mall. The Pyramid Mall is just AWFUL.</p>
<p>Not that there’s anything to do at malls anyway, but I like having one just in case I’m in a vapid state of mind.</p>
<p>surprising, considering how many businesses have closed in ctown over the 4 years i’ve been here—there’s literally 1 (2 if you count stella’s) bar on college ave, whereas there used to be 3 (or 4). dunbar’s is apparently closing soon, too. and the green cafe spot has been sitting empty for 3 years.</p>
<p>The ranking considers both quality of life and the local economy.</p>
<p>Taxes in upstate NY are high - all these smaller towns and communities are having to support “The City”. Economic conditions aren’t good anywhere except around Washington, DC.</p>
<p>^^^
There is basically nothing to do in Collegetown except get food. The Commons are much better.</p>
<p>Outside Magazine ranks Cornell #5 of “outside universities”. “Ithaca itself can be pretty great…glacier-carved gorges made the more beautiful by cascading waterfalls. Cornell’s outdoor-ed program offers an impressive array of activities to take advantage…”</p>