Thanks for the replies. Yes, we're planning to take a tour & one of DH's concerns was that it might move too slow. DS is still excited despite leaving his friends. I hate putting him in the position of being different again but at the same time, want him to enjoy the academic side of school.

I am not at all scared of the city but do hear that kind of impression from others. I worry he'll be stereotyped as one of "those burb" kids and not accepted by the locals either.

We'll see how the visit goes.