Bloomington, nestled in the forested hills of southern Indiana, has a well-deserved reputation as a wonderful place to live. It is culturally diverse, and its big-city amenities are wrapped up in a friendly small-town package.  Here are just a few reasons to enjoy the university and its surrounding community:

• BEAUTY.  The Bloomington campus was cited as one of the five most beautiful campuses in the United States by Thomas A. Gaines in his book The Campus as a Work of Art.  Visit www.iub.edu/tour , take an online tour, and see for yourself!
• INTELLECTUAL CLIMATE.  Bloomington was chosen as one of the top ten college towns in the US for its “rich mixture of atmospherics and academia” by Edward B. Fiske, former education editor of the New York Times.
• QUALITY OF LIFE .  USA Today named Bloomington "one of the top ten places for rich campus culture". Rand-McNally selected Bloomington as one of the eight most desirable places to live in the United States, based on economy, personal safety, climate, housing, services, and leisure activities.
• COST OF LIVING. Periodic surveys conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association have shown that the cost of living in Bloomington is consistently at or below the national average.
• MUSIC.  The Indiana University School of Music consistently ranks as one of the best three music programs in the country and among the top ten in the world.  It produces more than 1,200 musical events annually, ranging from operas to ensemble and solo performances. Many events are free or reduced-price for IU students.
• SPORTS.  Sports Illustrated on Campus ranked IU the sixth best college sports town in the nation, with one of the best student recreational centers in the country. Besides our well-known basketball and soccer teams, we also have top-flight programs in football, swimming, tennis, and track ... for women and men.
• RECREATION. Bloomington is bordered by Yellowwood State Forest, Brown Country State Park, and Hoosier National Forest and is within a few miles’ drive of three lakes, one of which is the largest in Indiana. Together, these resources provide almost unlimited recreational opportunities for Bloomington residents.
• AND MUCH MORE.  Bloomington hosts a wide array of festivals and special events throughout the year, including the Lotus World Music and Arts Festival, Chocolate Fest, the Little 500 bicycle race, a Taste of Bloomington, the Fourth Street Festival of the Arts, and the Hilly Hundred bicycle event.