College Station, TX v. Gainsville, FL for a early twenty-something female?

[psych_2]

<p>Anyone have any thoughts about these two cities in terms of quality of life, social life, cost of living, etc.?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

[simba]

<p>College Station: Small Town with young people. Surrounded by small sleepy towns. Life revolves around Texas A&M - a big state school. Cheap cost of living. Relatively conservative and WAPSY town. Houston and Austin about 80 miles away. Hot but not humid weather.</p>

<p>Don’t know about Gainsville.</p>

[07DAD]

<p>College Station:</p>

<p>

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 67,890 people, 24,691 households, and 10,370 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,686.5 per square mile (651.2 /km2). There were 26,054 housing units at an average density of 647.2 per square mile (249.9 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 80.53% White, 5.45% African American, 0.30% Native American, 7.29% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 4.47% from other races, and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any ethnicity/nationality were 9.96% of the population.</p>

<p>There were 24,691 households out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.0% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.98.</p>

<p>In the city the population was spread out with 14.4% under the age of 18, 51.2% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 9.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.0 males.</p>

<p>The median income for a household in the city was $21,180, and the median income for a family was $53,147. Males had a median income of $38,216 versus $26,592 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,170. About 15.4% of families and 37.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

</p>

<p>Gainesville: </p>

<p>

As of the census[4] of 2000, there are 95,447 people living within the city limits, 37,279 households, and 18,341 families residing in the city. The population of the metropolitan area as of the census[4] of 2000 was 217,955. The population density is 1,981.0/mi² (764.9/km²). There are 40,105 housing units at an average density of 832.4/mi² (321.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 68.36% White, 23.24% African American, 0.25% Native American, 4.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.46% from other races, and 2.18% from two or more races. 6.40% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.</p>

<p>There are 37,279 households out of which 22.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.5% are married couples living together, 13.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 50.8% are non-families. 32.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.25 and the average family size is 2.90.</p>

<p>In the city the population is spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 29.4% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.2 males.</p>

<p>The median income for a household in the city is $28,164, and the median income for a family is $44,263. Males have a median income of $31,090 versus $25,653 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,779. 26.7% of the population and 15.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 24.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line, making Gainesville one of the poorest cities with a large public university.[22]

</p>

[dragonmom]

<p>psych, Are you talking about living there as a grad student, or as someone working at that town’s university, or as an employed person not affiliated with that town’s univieristy?</p>

[psych_2]

<p>Grad student. College Station’s relatively close to family while Gainsville is not but in a nice locale. Both programs have plus and minuses school-wise/program-wise, so I may end up taking location into account (assuming I don’t go elsewhere–I still have several programs to hear back from, post-interview).</p>

[jym626]

<p>Gainesville is a GREAT town for young adults. Was there as a grad student. Loved it. 2 hrs from the beach, Disney and other distractions, LOL. Affordable housing and flat roads–easy for running or biking.</p>

[07DAD]

<p>College Station is about 30 miles from the home of Blue Bell Ice Cream.</p>

[jym626]

<p>Gainesville was the home of the Rudy and Roger Maris Budweiser Distributorship.</p>

[07DAD]

<p>Budweiser and Ice Cream don’t go together very well.</p>

[jym626]

<p>Do they make beer-flavored ice cream?</p>

[07DAD]

<p>Only accidentially when the ice cream guy spills his beer at work.</p>

[psych_2]

<p>jym, what program? (Feel free to PM).</p>

[anxiousmom]

<p>Been to college station twice - hated it. Ugly, flat, shaky town - just an ugly drab drag with, ugly parking lots and stores. One nice little historic area, but miles away from campus. (Plus don’t like the homophobia…) Been to Gainesville once - MUCH, much, much nicer physical environment! See, I really have strong feelings about this! ;)</p>

[teriwtt]

<p>

College Station is about 30 miles from the home of Blue Bell Ice Cream.

</p>

<p>From my perspective, this is the only redeeming quality of College Station, but I am a UT-Austin graduate, so I can’t imagine living there after having experienced Austin.</p>

[jym626]

<p>psych</p>

<p>Sent you a PM. Go to FL!!! (quick sidenote – there is an “E” in Gainesville). Great college/grad school town!! Have a blast!</p>

[07DAD]

<p>If you are doing a grad program in psych, you might find the experience of living in College Station more validating of the need for your healing art.</p>