Best SA/SMC Location Opinions

sprog

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I've been reading a few threads that have alluded to this subject, so I thought it would be fun for all the partisans to come out and give their opinions as to which of the service academies and/or senior military colleges have the best geographical location. This is purely for fun, so braggadocio is fully encouraged.

I'll start. I'm a VMI grad, but I will in no way say that Lexington, VA is the best. It is a quiet town, and a great place for older people to shop for antiques, but not the most hopping college town in the US. We do share the town with Washington and Lee, and they have a good time in their various Greek houses...but that is pretty much off limits to a Keydet. Not too too far from Richmond or Charlottesville (certainly not close, either), and there are many women's colleges that are nearby, which do provide a diversion once the Ratline is over. All in all, a C for location.

My favorite is my hometown, beautiful Annapolis, MD. Beautiful scenery, yes, but also close to DC and Baltimore. There are plenty of stores, movie theaters, and restaurants, and the community is very supportive of USNA. This is not so much the case in Lexington (or that was my experience). I would consider WP and KP to have good locations as well, as they are somewhat proximate to NYC. C. Springs =blah, but mountains don't really do it for me. USCGA-I suppose being between NYC And Boston is something, but the beautiful view of I-95 takes it down a notch in my opinion. Is there anything in New London itself?

As far as SMCs are concerned, I think The Citadel is the huge winner. Charleston, SC is beautiful.

Anyway...bring on the varying opinions.
 
My vote- Annapolis is the nicest town- USMA is the most scenic of the Academies- Norwich is far and away the sleepiest of the locations for SMCs or SA's- they are really just a stones throw from nowhere:rolleyes:
 
My vote- Annapolis is the nicest town- USMA is the most scenic of the Academies- Norwich is far and away the sleepiest of the locations for SMCs or SA's- they are really just a stones throw from nowhere:rolleyes:
Lexington is a nice town to live- from a Cadet's perspective - pretty slow place though to spend your free Saturday nights.
 
Lexington is a nice town to live- from a Cadet's perspective - pretty slow place though to spend your free Saturday nights.

If I was spending a Saturday night there as a Second or a First, it meant I did something wrong.:yllol:

Being a Third usually meant a Saturday evening fighting over the TV remote at the X, which I understand has been demolished.
 
I would probably vote for charleston except for the fact that the citadel is not exactly in a great part of it. USNA on the other hand is smack dab in the middle of Annapolis.

You do have COC girls though.
 
Actually I believe that for stuff to do- It's a tossup between USMMA King Point and NY Maritime- Ft Schuyler. Ft Schuyler is in the City of New York and KP is a short LIRR ride away from Penn Station. Neither are the most scenic but if you are looking for happening places - There is nowhere in the world like NYC!!
 
Charleston for SMC's definitely. It's right next to the beach, the weather's pretty good year round- except it can get humid, and its a big town so there's always something going on.

I'm going to VMI but, and I've visited several times. It's not the most interesting of places. Definitely not much going on, but if you like mountains, it's sweet. And yeah as sprog said its not too too far from Charlottesville or Richmond.

For an SA, I'd got with USNA at Annapolis. The campus is gorgeous, and its right by the water. A++
 
. Neither are the most scenic but if you are looking for happening places - There is nowhere in the world like NYC!!

If we're going for scenic, I'd vote Norwich. Sure the winter is brutal, but can't beat that foliage season. I absolutely loved everything about Norwich. But what killed me when I visited was that there is just absolutely nothing to do outside of it. I've grown up in fairly big cities, so it's defineltly something I'm not used to.
 
The campus is gorgeous, and its right by the water. A++

Which describes USCGA perfectly. Gorgeous campus, beautiful brick buildings, large shade trees, well groomed grass parade field, and right on the Thames River. The view of the river and the turning leaves of Fall during football games is unmatched.

The problem?

New London is a rat hole. At one time (whaling era?) it may have had a thriving bustling downtown full of quaint shops and boutiques, but now half of them are boarded up.
 
Which describes USCGA perfectly. Gorgeous campus, beautiful brick buildings, large shade trees, well groomed grass parade field, and right on the Thames River. The view of the river and the turning leaves of Fall during football games is unmatched.

The problem?

New London is a rat hole. At one time (whaling era?) it may have had a thriving bustling downtown full of quaint shops and boutiques, but now half of them are boarded up.
Well they always have the Pequots and the Mohegans up the road- and you can go see the whaling museum in Mytic whcih I'm sure is tops on every Cadets "to do" list but you are right- New London is pretty much a "not happening here" town.
 
I believe that Maine Maritime has the most serene campus, but it is soooooo isolated. If you think Norwich is out there, it's a metropolis compared to Maine Maritime. I think CGA is a great campus and its location makes it possible to have a day trip to Boston or NYC. Love USNA and Annapolis. SUNY Maritime will be really nice if they ever implode the Throggs Neck Bridge. USMA is also has some beautiful scenary. Don't know about any schools south of USNA.
 
I believe that Maine Maritime has the most serene campus, but it is soooooo isolated. If you think Norwich is out there, it's a metropolis compared to Maine Maritime. I think CGA is a great campus and its location makes it possible to have a day trip to Boston or NYC. Love USNA and Annapolis. SUNY Maritime will be really nice if they ever implode the Throggs Neck Bridge. USMA is also has some beautiful scenary. Don't know about any schools south of USNA.

I visited Maine Maritime as a junior in high school. You're right, that place is on Mars. I did enjoy my tour of the ship, though. This was the old T/S State of Maine, which used to be an ocean liner. I have a thing for cruise ships and passenger liners. I only wish there still was an industry for US international passenger shipping (outside of NCL's Pride of America, which sails in Hawaii....hardly an international destination). I digress.
 
I believe that Maine Maritime has the most serene campus, but it is soooooo isolated. If you think Norwich is out there, it's a metropolis compared to Maine Maritime. I think CGA is a great campus and its location makes it possible to have a day trip to Boston or NYC. Love USNA and Annapolis. SUNY Maritime will be really nice if they ever implode the Throggs Neck Bridge. USMA is also has some beautiful scenary. Don't know about any schools south of USNA.

HMMM- now there is a worthy debate- which is more remote- Norwich (Northfield VT) or Maine Maritime (Castine ME):rolleyes: My money is still on Norwich- at least in Castine you can get on I95 and go south- Northfield doesn't have anything approaching that- you gotta work just to get to a postion where you can drive away quickly!
My Dad and Uncle graduated from Ft Schuyler (NY Maritime) back in the days before the Throggs Neck Bridge- also in the days when they lived in the Fort- it wasn't scenic then either I have been told. Mass Maritime is not exactly scenic stting on the end of the southern end of the Cape Cod canal- but not a bad area when the weather is warm. Overall- I'm still thinking Annapolis is best location among the bunch. The Navy seems to have locked in some pretty good locations- the best year I ever spent in the Army was when I was a student at the Navy War College in Newport RI
 
I'm still partial to VMI, but not so much for the specific locale of Lex Vegas.

I am in love with the Shenandoah Valley. I live in the northern end of the Valley now, and I love it so much. It feels like home, even though you aren't actually from the Valley until your family is at least fourth generation. :wink:
 
I'm still partial to VMI, but not so much for the specific locale of Lex Vegas.

I am in love with the Shenandoah Valley. I live in the northern end of the Valley now, and I love it so much. It feels like home, even though you aren't actually from the Valley until your family is at least fourth generation. :wink:

Heh Heh- that reminds me of a saying that I heard when I lived in Northern NH. North of Franconia Notch looking at Mt Washington out my bedroom window- they are an insular bunch up there rather disdainful of "flatlanders". I pointed out that my daughter was born there- and the response was: "just cause a cat has kittens in the oven don't make it a biscuit".

well I agree with Buff (to a point):West Point is really pretty and the campus is without a doubt the most majestic and impressive of all.:thumb: But I wouldn't throw the surrounding area up as a Saturday night destination.
I like Lexington too and would love to retire there- but what attracts me about Lexington is probably somewhat lost on my fellow Keydets 30+ years removed.:wink:
 
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Norwich University

OK...every one of these historical places has its positives and negatives when it comes to location. Vermont can be very cold in the winter...but that just means you have to get out in it! Norwich is located in the middle of some of the best ski resorts in the northeast. I personally love to snowshoe or cross-country ski all the mountains and trails I hike during the summer. If you like to fish...then you have some of the best around with Lake Champlain and the many trout streams in the state. During the winter...you just drill a hole in the ice! There is plenty to do in Vermont if you don't stay inside!
 
Cal Maritime

Just thought I'd better cast a vote for the Left Coast!! While Cal Maritime is in Vallejo, a town with major monetary problems, the campus is picturesque sitting on the shores of San Pablo Bay in Solano County, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Napa Valley!! Gotta love those vineyards!! :wink:

Also, cadets can take a bus to BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and get to Berkeley and San Francisco in no time....
 
ok- California has weighed in-so now, Where are the Texans? You have A&M and Texas Maritime- I lived in South Texas for 6 years & never ran into a Texan who was shy about enumerating the Lone Star State's charms!!
 
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