MikeT, I was thinking the same thing. I too live in Cincinnati but my family is all originally from Boston. We go back to New England often and the cost of living there is SUBSTANTIALLY higher than Cincinnati. Especially if one is unemployed and looking to start their own business (and wants to be within 1-2 hours of a large city).

Northampton, MA!!!! about two hours from Boston and it fits all your requirements.

I was thinking of Wellesley, Mass., -- pretty, but with seriously upscale standard of living, I'm afraid. Easy commute to Boston, though.

Have you looked at Rochester NY? Several colleges, a lot of culture, and nice scale. Can't argue that the weather's a plus, but that would also be true of Ithaca, Burlington, or most places in NEngland.

What about Brunswick Maine? Or New Brunswick, NJ?

Why go for knock-offs?

There are only two real college towns in the world. If you really can work from anywhere, both of them are less than an hour from THE world city.

And if you've had a reasonable career so far, you'll have no problem getting a visa under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programe (www.workpermit.com/uk/ highly_skilled_migrant_program.htm) which will lead to permanent resident status - swiftly followed by a passport allowing you to work in more countries than any other.

Oxford and Cambridge (the real ones). The originals. And still the greatest.

Wrong URL for the HSMP.

It's http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/wor...mes/hsmp.html?

FlannerUk,

I agree Oxford and Cambridge are wonderful but the OP is looking for a town and not to be picky, well maybe just a little, since both Oxford and Cambridge have cathedrals doesn't that mean they are both classed as cities?

I have to second Ithaca, and although not in NE, throw in a suggestion for Ann Arbor.

If you're going mid-west, I'm very fond of Madison, WI -- but OP asked for NY or New Eng.

Not exactly New England, but State College (home of Penn State) might be worth checking out if you'd be interested in something not quite Ivy League.

I'd agree with those who said Northampton. It really is a great college town, with lots of area colleges... plus it's not too far from boston or NYC.

"Ithaca is Gorges," as they say (because of its famous gorges), and it really is cool (close proximity to the Finger Lakes too) but I would still choose Northampton.

Hanover, NH - for its proximity to Boston, Montreal, even NYC, lakes, mountains, the Atlantic coast, and all your other criteria.

I vote for State College PA. It's a wonderful place to live! I spent my undergrad years there and worked at the university for 4 years after getting some advanced degrees elsewhere. The area is gorgeous and they bring in a lot of cultural activities. It ain't called Happy Valley for nothing!

Though I appreciate flanneruk's enthusiasm for Oxford and Cambridge, his comments reflect a trend on this forum that concerns me; that is, a person asks a question regarding a specific area but receives comments about things that are totally irrelevant. It would be refreshing to see all of our posters sticking to the subject when the subject matter's scope is so clearly defined.

I think I can offer this criticism of flanneruk because I am an Oxfordite.

SUNY New Paltz, New York 1hr 30 min by train or car from NYC and you are surounded by other small college towns it would be the perfect match

Wayne, I understand your point, but unless you read the OP completely it can be a bit misleading. Initially the question asks for the quintessential college town. Then she states she can live anywhere in the world. Then later specifies that she is primarily interested in only New England and New York.

If you are willing to work your way to the CA, we have Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

Montreal is so beautiful. When you're there try a little sandwich shop called Cafe Santripol (or something like that).

And (look at that, I started a sentence with 'and' - i wonder if the_editor will get me? oh no! i'm not using captials either), it is okay to make grammar errors in stupid online things. Unless it's an article for a real online magazine or something.
heh. teh_editor.

In the interest of geographical pedantry...

For Granville to be 25 minutes from Cleveland, it would take a fast aircraft.

Perhaps wliwl meant Columbus, and even from the very edge of the technically-defined northeast edge (city of Columbus for taxes, police and fire Westerville post office and school system), you'd have to hustle to make it in 25 minutes.

I'm a little bit surprised that starbuck didn't make this comment earlier.

Best wishes,

Rex

I'm a little bit surprised that starbuck didn't make this comment earlier.

Why bother? It was completely irrelevant to my original question.

My mistake - I meant Columbus. I always get those mixed up!