As is yearly tradition, 2017 ended with a flurry of collegiate bowl games. As football teams met on the field to establish superiority, two teams emerged with the opportunity to be seen as the best in the nation. However, many fans (especially those living in the following towns) have already been vocal about which of their two towns rule. From student athletes to student housing residents, to the people who just love to live there, they say life in their city is the best. So who will win the bragging rights after this year’s NCAA Football Championship?
Why Clemson Claims the No. 1 Spot
Home to around 14,000 full time residents, Clemson, South Carolina is steeped in history. The college, which dates back to 1889, is not only the cultural hub of the town but it also drives a transitional student population of just over 22,000. So, when your town’s population more than doubles when school is in session, you know there is a lot of school pride at stake.
Beyond academics and the sports programs associated with the university, there are numerous things that the locals love about their college town. Whether taking a stroll in the South Carolina Botanical Gardens or relaxing in Abernathy Waterfront Park, there is no lack of daytime activity. Nighttime brings with it a thriving restaurant and bar scene as well as the opportunity to catch a performance at the Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.
With great schools, things to do, and an easy-to-manage cost of living, residents of Clemson, SC (especially those calling an apartment home) will often stay for many years. School pride runs high and, when you walk down the street, the cry of “Fight Tigers Fight” can be heard all around.
Why Tuscaloosa Claims the No. 1 Spot
The nearly 100,000 people who call Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home love to tell you how “The Tide” is going to roll. You would be hard pressed to find another university in the south that can match their long-term college pride. The University of Alabama was founded in 1820 and is constantly ranked amongst the top 50 universities in the nation. Thirty-seven thousand students call Bama home and wear their crimson red and white with pride.
But not everything revolves around the college. The town is a thriving center of business and, in recent years, Tuscaloosa has been named the “Most Livable City in America,” one of America’s “100 Best Communities for Young People,” one of the “50 Best College Towns,” and one of the “Best Places to Launch a Small Business.” When not working, locals love to tour Capitol Park or see the newest exhibit at the Tuscaloosa Museum of Art. Of course, football rules here and locals will spend hours regaling you with stories of the legendary football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.
With one of the most stable apartment markets in the U.S. and a cost of living well below the national average, more people are flocking to Tuscaloosa. Anyone looking to call this great city home will soon be heard chanting “Roll Tide” to everyone they come across.
No matter which town you choose as the winner, you are going to want to act fast to find your apartment there. The free tools available at www.apartmentsearch.com make finding your new place to live fast and easy. Also, you can earn up to $200 in rewards when you let your new apartment community know you found them on ApartmentSearch. What a great way to start life in your new town!
