@Senior2016M I wouldn’t describe Vandy as a “high-level intellectual environment” but that may just be the people I hung out with when I was there (I graduated last year). There are certainly some very studious individuals there deeply involved in research, etc.
My memories of BU’s campus is that it is more of a city campus integrated into downtown Boston. I personally do not like this, but if you love Boston, and it is a great city, you may find yourself liking that after a while. If you haven’t already I would meet with people from the honors program to see what opportunities they offer you.
As far as “traditional college experience” think of a bunch of your friends hanging out together at the house, house parties, pregames, tailgates before football games, spring breaks/formals at a beach, etc. This may seem shallow and you can get some of it if you are a non-Greek guy, but not all of it. This obviously doesn’t appeal to everyone.