Hi There !

I am looking for certain set of characteristics for a new town.  High
on my list are cool summers and a university within 20 miles.  Here
are some examples I've found on my own:

Laramie, Wyoming
Flagstaff, Arizona
Juneau, Alaska

A 5-star answer would be 3 additional towns.  I will happily tip extra
for more than 3...

Please note there are no strict (quantitative) criteria.  I'm not
picky, so use whatever criteria you prefer.

No background data or web sites required.  Just the name of the city and state.

All comments greatly appreciated.

Thanks !
ron

Hi, ron!

 I have lived in the East, the West, the Southwest and Alaska, so I am
pretty familiar with the climate in most parts of the country! I have
selected towns that remain relatively cool in the summer. They may
have an "occasional" short string of hot days, but they do not last
long. The nights are generally pleasant and cool. Most importantly,
the following locations lack the oppressive humidity that is so
unpleasant to many of us!

 I have visited many of the towns on this list so I do not hesitate to
recommend them.

=

Moscow, Idaho
(University of Idaho)

Pocatello, Idaho
(Idaho State University)

Boise, Idaho
(Boise State University)

Coeur D'Alene, Idaho (cooler than Spokane but near the Universities) 
(Whitworth College, Gonzaga University)

Lewiston, Idaho
(Lewis-Clark State College) 

Pullman, Washington
(University of Washington)

Ellensburg, Washington
(Central Washington University)

Missoula, Montana
(University of Montana)

Bozeman, Montana
(Montana State University)

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
(Lake Superior State) 

Marquette, Michigan
(Northern Michigan University)

Duluth, Minnesota
(University of Minnesota, Duluth)

Park City, Utah
(University of Utah - Salt Lake)

Sitka, Alaska
(Sheldon Jackson College)

Anchorage, Alaska
(University of Alaska, Alaska Pacific)

Fairbanks, Alaska
(University of Alaska, Fairbanks)


==

 
 I hope these references are helpful. For what it's worth, my personal
favorites are "anywhere in Alaska", Bozeman, Montana and Park City,
Utah!


Sincerely,

umiat

Search Strategy
personal knowledge plus climate searches on particular locations


You might find the following website useful:
http://www.uscollegesearch.org/usa_college_list_by_name.html

---

Clarification of Answer by umiat-ga on 18 Mar 2004 11:35 PST

One other:

Durango, Colorado
(Fort Lewis College)

Terrific, umiat !   Thank you !

ron

How generous of you, Ron! Thank you so much.

For anyone else reading this answer and wanting a quick way to figure
out where a great place to live, with climate quality as a major
necessity, is to look at gardening 'hardiness' zones. So, if you like
the climate in Des Moines, Iowa, you'd be looking for regions that are
5a, which is a light green on the hardiness map. It's a goofy way to
figure out a place to live, but if you're sensitive to
climate/rainfall/humidity/temperature, then you'll want to check it
out. The hardiness maps are very sensitive, because the whole
gardening industry is dependent on accurate info in order to offer
optimum conditions for growing plants.


http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

sluggy!

Thank you for your terrific advice.  Fantastic !

ron

Just one additional though: Since you're willing to be 20 miles from a
university, there may be some additional nearby towns which are
cooler.  For example, Troy, ID is ~10 miles from Moscow, but Troy
higher in the mountains so is significantly cooler in the summer (and
colder in the winter).

fstokens---that is excellent advice.  I really appreciate your taking
the time to write.   Thanks!

ron