List of places I can vouch for
1) Providence RI, right by the water, leading to the ocean, tremendous Italian food
2) Portland ME, summer only buy again beautiful water front and excellent lobster rolls
3) Missoula MT, Incredibly gorgeous setting but also a town where the word is out, housing and traffic out of control
4)Spirit Lake ID, Idaho's a hidden gem right under everyone's noses. Mountains and outdoor activities galore. Twin Falls higher than Niagara.
5) Brunswick GA, ideal location on the Atlantic coast with easy access to Savannah and North Florida
6)Fort Collins CO, the entire front range of Colorado is overpopulated now, but Fort Collins is a gem. Save a ton and live just north in Laramie or Cheyenne Wyoming.
Just a small sample