Why College Towns Feel Different

They preserved something most American cities destroyed.

My niece just told me she’s moving to Lexington, Kentucky.

My first reaction—internally—was: I can’t imagine living there.

But then I caught myself and responded with something different in writing.

“Well… it’s a college town. That’s cool.”

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that reaction says something interesting about American cities.

In the United States, college towns are one of the last places where something resembling normal urban life still exists. Some, not all. And—as I recall—on the ground in terms of urban form.

The last two paid subscribers to my newsletter live in college towns—Ann Arbor, Michigan and State College, Pennsylvania.

College towns—and the areas surrounding universities in larger cities—have a lot going for them that the rest of the country could learn from.

They tend to offer high walkability, dense downtowns, historic architecture, and vibrant public spaces. They prioritize pedestrian-oriented environments, often featuring a mix of housing, retail, and cultural amenities.

If you asked the typical American why, what do you think their answer would be?