<p>College of the Holy Cross itself is in a very large city (Worcester) but it’s not a very pretty city … Although, it’s only 45 minutes-1 hour away from one of the best college towns ever … BOSTON! :D</p>
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<p>It depends. The Pacific Coast Highway? Sure. Almost any other part of the California freeway system? Not so much to look at.</p>
<p>We should define what is a desirable big city. Sure, Vassar is in Poughkeepsie, but who would want to live in Poughkeepsie? (Appologies to the residents.) I vote for Sarah Lawrence as being closest to what the original writer is looking for: "I’m looking for places along the lines of Oberlin, Hampshire, and Grinnell but closer to an urban area. "</p>
<p>^ I dunno. It depends on what kind of city, access, and college the OP is after.</p>
<p>I agree, Sarah Lawrence may have a more desirable location than Poughkeepsie, especially if NYC is your idea of the ultimate urban environment. However, SLC in other respects would not be everyone’s cup of tea (not because it isn’t a great school). </p>
<p>The Philadelphia-area Quaker colleges are in pleasant-enough (if not very exciting) settings, and within close range of Philadelphia.</p>
<p>If you want the kind of LAC where you can step off campus and immediately be in a reasonably attractive urban environment, I’d suggest Barnard (women only), Colorado College, Eugene Lang, Macalester (bitterly cold winters), Rhodes … or Rice (not strictly speaking a LAC, but very small for a university). Barnard is closer to the action than SLC, plus it gives you most of the resources of Columbia University. If you want a school with an edgier atmosphere (Open Curriculum, arty students), you may prefer SLC.</p>
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<p>Actually Oberlin to Cleveland is more ex-urban than it is rural. It’s pretty much all 4 lane highway, and I’d about guarantee you’re going to hit a lot less traffic on that trip than on the I-10 into LA.</p>
<p>I’ll take the 10 or 405 at rush hour rather no traffic through any part of Ohio. And yes, I have spent a lot of time doing both. (Apologies to my OH friends.) But the more important point is that Oberlin is in a very small college town and driving to Cleveland is not going to change that. The OP is looking for an urban LAC.</p>