<p>I'm the kind of guy that likes a big environment with a lot of students. Does Northwestern have a lot of students and what kind of atmosphere does it give off? I don't really like the personal, cozy touch of a suburban community. I like the impersonality of a rural city. Is northwestern's environment more like a city or a suburb? I know Chicago is about 20 minutes from Northwestern, but what about the campus itself. Also, is the campus that big?</p>
<p>I'm no expert because I haven't been a student there yet. Others who are or have been will undoubtedly give you their opinions. </p>
<p>I'll give you my impression:</p>
<p>When visiting, I was surprised at how big the campus seems. It's defniitely self contained - it's not an "urban" campus like, say, American U. It's its own entity. There are over 8000 students at NU. Is that "a lot?" UMichigan is like 50,000 and Ann Arbor is great...so maybe that is more your style?</p>
<p>I would not call it a "suburban" campus, which is how Tufts struck me. That was a nice school sort of in the middle of a neighborhood much like where I live as a high schooler. That held zero appeal to me, but others love it.</p>
<p>Evanston is a very nice town in its own right, making it an appealing college town. Lots of shops, lots of restaurants, lots of people, lots of action. </p>
<p>In summary, I would say that NU is a mix of your two "extremes." I think it's big enough that you can have it be impersonal and you can find your own niche within your particular department or your dorm or your extracurricular activities if you so desire. It strikes me as a university full of passionate, smart, determined and busy students who are pursuing their various interests.</p>
<p>Others who know better will tell you if I am on the right track or if I got the wrong impression. I hope I'm right b/c that's what attracted me to NU. It's a beautiful campus on Lake Michigan with this incredible aqua blue water and Chicago is there for the taking if you make the time to take advantage of it. What a great city THAT is!</p>
<p>i would say its more of a suburb-it's not in the city and chicago isn't really 20 minutes away-if you're taking the train or campus shuttle expect on it being more like an hour or 45 minutes. The campus isn't necessarily big, but its rather long, which might be a bad thing in terms of your wanting school to be busy.</p>
<p>I'm a sophomore here, and I agree with what wintersilk said.</p>
<p>bver100,</p>
<p>Chicago city line is actually only 2 miles away (where Howard station is). It's the Chicago downtown that's 45-min away (south) by subway. But pretty much all of Chicago's nice neighborhoods are north of downtown (therefore closer to Evanston). </p>
<p>32 is where the downtown is. </p>
<p>Evanston shares the boarders with area 1. </p>
<p>6 and 7 are Lakeview and Lincoln Park. They are nice and two of the hottest neighborhoods with tons of restaurants/shops. 6 is also where the Wrigley Field is. </p>
<p>I also sometime went with friends to Argyle in area 3 for authentic Vietnamese food. ;)</p>
<p>what area is Navy Pier located in?</p>
<p>The Navy Pier is in area 8. So is John Hancock Center. NU's "downtown" campus is somewhere near the waterfront in area 8 also (I guess part of area 8 is still considered Chicago downtown which is huge).</p>
<p>Area number 8, which is mostly all downtown like the Magnificent Mile with the Hancock building, Water Tower Place, etc.</p>
<p>wintersilk pretty much has it down pat.</p>
<p>Evanston (pop. 75k) has its own downtown/biz district where there is shopping, entertainment venues and plenty of good restaurants (if you are a "foodie" - this is a real treat).</p>
<p>The Goldcoast/Navy Pier/Loop area in Chicago (45 min L ride) would be for high-end shopping (Mich Avenue/Oak St.), sightseeing, museums, etc.</p>
<p>Wrigelyville, the bars on Halstead, etc. are closer (25-30 min L ride).</p>
<p>In what zone is the airport, please?</p>
<p>O'Hare is 76, and Midway is in both 56 and 64. O'Hare is the bigger airport which you would most likely fly into.</p>
<p>But Southwest flies into Midway for super cheap <3 <3 <3</p>
<p>Also, wintersilk is dead on. Definitely a mix of the two- great college town (not too suburban), and so close to a giant city. Campus isn't too urban, just generally nice-looking and the lake area is beautiful. No complaints here...</p>