I'm not talking about a small village, but a small city: The cities where I grew up were 100k and 30k residents respectively, and very quiet.
It's true that it is more difficult to find like-minded friends and more intellectually stimulating activities there, but I think that that would only become a concern when you're over 13 or something, and there's a lot of time for that. Big libraries (which I missed back in the day) wouldn't be a problem today, and as for role models, that wouldn't be a problem in that kind of city I'm talking about.
Of course, there is no perfect choice, but in my opinion a small city would be the best compromise. Then, only time will tell...
I think smallish university cities are a good bet. They have enough going on to make them interesting, but aren't full-on big cities with all of their problems.
In Italy, places like Padova, Pavia and Pisa - back in the US, places like Eugene, Oregon or Boulder, Colorado (although I've never been there) may qualify.
Agreed. Another nice example is new paltz, new york (has a small university there). It's easy to walk to from the university through the neighborhood to the main street for a slice of pizza.
I also recall where rensellaer poly is to be a nice little town next to the university.
I can't think of many towns in Texas that offer a small university town without being so spread out parents don't have to worry about cars though.
Boulder is also really nice near campus (getting sprawlish outside it), mountain hikes are a bike ride away.
Oh OK, yeah that makes sense - I was actually comparing village with medium-sized university city (in which I live now - but I guess that city size is relative, most Chinese would find my city (120k) a village I suppose).
It's true that it is more difficult to find like-minded friends and more intellectually stimulating activities there, but I think that that would only become a concern when you're over 13 or something, and there's a lot of time for that. Big libraries (which I missed back in the day) wouldn't be a problem today, and as for role models, that wouldn't be a problem in that kind of city I'm talking about.
Of course, there is no perfect choice, but in my opinion a small city would be the best compromise. Then, only time will tell...