<p>This may seem completely random but...</p>
<p>I'm looking to attend a college that is in a liberalish kinda laid back sorta town such as Burlington, VT, and Ithaca, New York. Just curious if you knew of any others in the NE.</p>
<p>Thanks!:)</p>
<p>Uhhh. Amherst, MA?</p>
<p>Amherst is a college town, but I never saw it as being as eclectic and offbeat as the towns crunner is looking at. </p>
<p>I think Saratoga Springs is a good one (the town Skidmore's in).</p>
<p>Chapel Hill.</p>
<p>world changer: How would you describe the general feel of Amherst, then?</p>
<p>Williams is in a beautiful area</p>
<p>
[quote]
world changer: How would you describe the general feel of Amherst, then?
[/quote]
Hmm..I don't know how to describe it. It just never really reminded me of the eclectic little towns like Burlington and Ithaca. I guess it just sort of came off as quieter and more traditional. Obviously there's a lot going on at the campuses, but the town itself didn't really excite me.
Maybe someone else has different experiences to share?</p>
<p>Also, another that came to mind: Asheville, NC. It's really artsy and vibrant.</p>
<p>Thank you all very much!!
I'll check them out! :)</p>
<p>Williamstown is indeed in a nice area, but I think it's too remote to be what the OP is looking for. Amherst is closer. But I think Northampton is the clear winner for eclectic towns in Western MA. Smith is located there, and the rest of the 5 college consortium (Amherst, Mount Holyoke, UMass, Hampshire) have free and frequent bus access to it.</p>
<p>St. John's College and the U.S.N.A. in Annapolis, Maryland.</p>
<p>Ann Arbor is basically the university campus. It's kind of embedded in the town. On top of that, theres a lot of artsy type stores, always festivals going on (largest art festival in the US), street performers in the summer, etc.</p>
<p>New Paltz NY in the Hudson Valley, home to SUNY New Paltz. Very artsy, eclectic community.</p>
<p>I agree that Amherst feels like a more traditional (and really cool) college town, but that Northampton has more the kind of feel that the OP was talking about. The two towns are both easily accessible from any of the 5 colleges there, as there is a free bus going back and forth.</p>
<p>Amherst is pretty eclectic, though it still has its share of traditional New England charm. It is very liberal, along with Northampton.</p>
<p>Northampton takes the cake in this case.</p>