For those who can’t quite find their medium between big city amenities and a small town way of life, a college town offers a nice compromise for residents across the country. What is a college town? After all there are colleges in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and nearly every other major metropolis on the planet. A college town, however, in the most quintessential sense of the word, isn’t a roaring urban center, rather set somewhere out from the city, whether education can take more of a central focus, or so planners intended.In practice, however, college towns have developed into cultural oases in otherwise smaller locales. With bars, shops, art and music sprouting up around large student bodies, not to mention the many resources of the academic institutions themselves, college towns are complete with features atypical of their size. So what’s the only problem for many individuals trying to settle down in an area that’s not too overcrowded or busy but with plenty to do? Well, the students. The very reason so many of the coffee shops, bars, restaurants and downtown area are viable is the same reason they are also not as enjoyable on several occasions for the town’s collegiately unaffiliated residents.For example, in moving to a smaller size town, a newcomer would typically have to give up hobbies such as going to sporting events. Not so in many college towns, particularly those of the Division I variety, which put nationally relevant and competitive matchups on your doorstep for 6 Saturdays every fall. The only downside, of course, is the horde of tailgating youth. Not to mention, plenty of alumni also come to town in an attempt to relive their glory days, so though they may be older allegedly wiser, it’s at time tough to tell as wild scenes ensue.But for the thick-skinned individual, not put off by what ultimately boils down is people having fun, a college town offers a great compromise between the arts, sports, and city-esque resources without the hustle and bustle that can make such a life unpleasant. A place where parents are comfortable sending their kids for an education and a sense of community can still emerge. And hey, worst case scenario, the students are out of town every summer and in time for the Holidays.