Spent a couple weeks in Ames and got to know it pretty well. Now back in MHK for a stint and have been able to draw some decent comparisons.
People: C+ Racist and behind the times, but generally good and friendly otherwise. Very heavy drinkers, even the girls who seem to prefer copious amounts of cheap beer to small girly-type cocktails.
Bars: C Actually quite a few students/ppl at the bars despite it being the middle of summer. Service was friendly but the themes are cliche'd. Also, no Irish whiskey at one of the supposed Irish bars which is not unlike their liquor selection at EVERY bar. Any normal bar in the rest of the free world would have a wide selection of liquors, wines and liqueurs. Not in Ames. 10-12 half-empty bottles (with no re-stock imminent) of cheap hooch would be considered a veritable cornucopia of liquor choices in these places. Very weird.
Weather: F Climate is essentially identical to MHK besides being a couple degrees cooler, but let's face it- this place is miserable during the summer.
Restaurants: B Tried at least a dozen places during the stay and found them all to be quite good and inviting, besides the lack of decent Mexican food. Not that Manhattan knows what that is either, but it was def. lacking. Even their Carlos OK's was below par compared to the fiesta that is the one in the Town Center Mall. Ames gets points for seemingly every restaurant being huge and capable of seating larger (6-10+) groups easily. Some of these places were like warehouses with tables. Not sure how they fill them but kudos nonetheless.
University: C Didn't get to poke around on campus much but their facilities, based on my own limited experience and from hearing direct testimony suck.
Scenery: D Sure it's nice and green but topographical relief is limited and therefore it doesn't hold a candle to the Flint Hills, case closed. Poor marks for no Tuttle puddle or Milford-esque lake.
Overall: C+ Thoroughly enjoyed my stay but that was less a product of Ames and due more to the day and nighttime activities. MHK>Ames
