Iowa State University
- Local Atmosphere

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Iowa State University - Local Atmosphere - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Local Atmosphere

Quick Stats

Fun Local Trivia
  1. Ames was founded in 1864 by John Blair, who named the town after his friend, Oakes Ames, who never lived in the town.
  2. According to the New Rating Guide to Life in America's Small Cities by Kevin Heubusch, Ames is ranked the second most livable mid-sized city in the United States
  3. BestJobsUSA.com cited Ames as one of the 20 best places in America to live and work. Ames was also voted the 20th best place to live in America by Men's Journal. On top of that, Ames was ranked the 6th best small city in which to do business by bizjournals.com.
  4. Ames has over 32 city parks.
Notable Natives
  • Ashton Kutcher – actor, from Cedar Rapids
  • Ann Landers – journalist, from Sioux City
  • Cloris Leachman – actress, from Des Moines
  • Slipknot – rock band, from Des Moines
  • Billy Sunday – evangelist/reverend, from Ames
  • Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby) – journalist, from Sioux City
  • John Wayne – actor/gunslinger, from Winterset
  • Elijah Wood – actor, from Cedar Rapids
Points of Interest
  • The Brunnier Art Museum
  • Fisher Theater
  • Hilton Coliseum
  • Maintenance Shop
  • The Octagon Center for the Arts
  • Reiman Gardens
  • Stephens Auditorium

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Ames is in a great location. It is small enough to avoid being intimidating, and large enough to avoid being boring. It has the charm of the country and the flair of the city. So, if you’re looking for a taste of the country, the area just north of Ames is farmland. Those looking for city life will find Des Moines appealing, which is a mere half-hour drive from Ames. Since half the population is composed of college students, there are plenty of things for students to do and see in Ames, and most of it is available at reasonable rates.

Students coming from densely populated areas, such as Chicago, may find Ames to be a boring small town. Ames may also be seen as too strict by many students—the city council passed a ban on putting indoor furniture outside. But students generally make due with what Ames has to offer, and most of the students who attend ISU are generally satisfied with Ames. If aesthetic pleasure is high on your list of priorities, Ames may be the place for you—the town is clean, beautiful, and has a lot to offer for its size. After all, it is the second most livable mid-sized city in the United States.

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Iowa State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at Iowa State University

WTownsJr

Logistics and Supply Chain Management '14

3.5
B

Choose Your Crowd Wisely!

The atmosphere that you feel on campus will come from the people around you. You can easily surround yourself with horrible people and feel that the atmosphere is also horrible. On the other hand, surround yourself with great like-minded people, and you will have the time of your life.

May 27, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at Iowa State University

Lundk22

Family Studies and Consumer Sciences '15

3.5
B

Small Town

Ames is a small town. Shopping is limited but there is the necesities and Des Moines is only about 30 minutes away with lots of shopping. It is a very attractive city. Ames feels like a very safe place to me. If you are not a partier there sometimes seem like theres not much to do but overall i love being there.

May 14, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at Iowa State University

zuly24

Business Administration and Management '14

3.5
B

The Ames Hallway

Although their are several restaurants and bars to hang out at there isn't much else. Ames is a small town with a mall often referred to as the Hallway. The bars and restaurants are great at first but eventually they get a little boring as well. I think the best entertainment in Ames are the football games and any sports activities. They really attract a crowd!

May 14, 2012

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User rating for Iowa State University - Local Atmosphere is 4.6 out of 5 based on 47 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers
  • North Grand Mall
  • Southridge Mall
  • Valley West Mall
Major Sports Teams None:
City Web Sites
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • Des Moines: IA: 35 minutes
  • Minneapolis: MN: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

Cinemark Movies 12
1317 Buckeye Ave.
(515) 232-4882

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Staci Harper
Major
English/Rhetorical Studies/Speech minor

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