Oxford, Mississippi: Best College Town in the U.S.?

One common debate that sparks strong opinions is this.... "Which is the best college town in the U.S.?" People are very passionate and dedicated when it comes to their school, which helps explain why college sports are massively popular here. I am actually an exchange student studying at the University of Mississippi for a year and it has treated me well so far. Therefore, here is my case for Oxford, Mississippi as being the best college town in the US.

People in the South are typically very friendly, and there is no exception to this in Oxford. Just the other day I was walking home in the rain when a young guy offered me a lift. Normally I might be a little cautious, but the weather was pretty terrible and I had quite a way to go. He turned out to be a down to earth fellow student, we had an interesting conversation, and soon I arrived home. This is just one example of the kind of helpful people you will find around, whether you know them or not.

Tailgating at The Grove on a football game is intense, so much so that Sports Illustrated touted it as the best tailgating destination in the country. Thousands of people gather together under large oak trees, tents everywhere, drink flowing, food cooking, the experience of a lifetime really. Students dress up in their finest attire and there is a definite feeling of class. Watch out for the band, also known as The Pride of the South, for a rousing performance of songs such as From Dixie with Love.

Oxford has a great music scene, and down on The Square you will find a wide variety of bars and venues with live music on many nights. The Lyric is really a classic venue, with artists like Lucero, Wilco, Animal Collective, and Ween stopping by in recent times. Do you like the idea of a sushi bar that turns into a pretty punk live music bar at night? Then Two Stick would be the place for you I reckon.

Certainly there is a lot more that makes Oxford a special place, such as the cultural history and the literary background, but I hope you enjoyed my slight insight into this college town. In my eyes, it is the best one in the US. Hopefully I will see you on The Grove sometime.