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If you had to live in a small town or city (<150k), what would you pick?

One of the recent threads about people not wanting to leave their hometowns got me thinking about this. I know we fetishize mega cities on this board, but rarely do we discuss smaller cities.

So, on that note, if you had to resettle in a city or town (lets max out the metro population at 150,0000), where would you choose? Let's try not to focus on places that are adjacent to a mega city...so add 1.5-2 hours minimum driving time to a major city center as a limitation. Please include pics and explanation of what appeals to you if you want!

Here are my top picks:

1.) San Luis Obispo, CA / Population 47,541

I'm not sure why I am so drawn to this place, but I have always loved the central CA coast, and this town is so charming, walkable, and is economically thriving due the local presence of a major University. One of the rare US towns that is somewhat affluent/solidly middle class and not full of WalMarts. I enjoy the climate/landscape, as it's very Mediterranean and far enough from the sea that it's actually hot in the summer.

https://d14dsi4x2zx6ql.cloudfront.ne...B_1280x642.jpg
https://d14dsi4x2zx6ql.cloudfront.ne...B_1280x642.jpg

https://www.visitcalifornia.com/site...1280x640_1.jpg
https://www.visitcalifornia.com/site...1280x640_1.jpg

http://www.asherworldturns.com/wp-co...3/IMG_3281.jpg
http://www.asherworldturns.com/wp-co...3/IMG_3281.jpg

2.) Santa Barbara, CA / Population 92,101

The Spanish architecture, walkability of the downtown area, manicured neighborhoods and culture of wellness; reminds the most of a Mediterranean seaside town. If there were jobs to go around in my industry here I'd move there in a heartbeat for sure. The surrounding nature is also just so stunning and I like that it's a lot greener than most of SoCal.

http://faculty.engineering.asu.edu/z...ara.jpg?w=1400
http://faculty.engineering.asu.edu/z...ara.jpg?w=1400

https://s-ec.bstatic.com/images/hote...6/34629531.jpg
https://s-ec.bstatic.com/images/hote...6/34629531.jpg

https://s.abcnews.com/images/Travel/...6_16x9_992.jpg
https://s.abcnews.com/images/Travel/...6_16x9_992.jpg

https://www.californiabeaches.com/wp...r-1000x667.jpg
https://www.californiabeaches.com/wp...r-1000x667.jpg

3.) Reykjavik, Iceland / Population 122,853

Ok, I am admittedly cheating since the metro area has 228,260 in the so-called "capital region", but I think RVK might be the most dynamic/cosmopolitan/exciting city of its size I've ever been to. Great nightlife, love the Icleandic culture, and overall good lifestyle. Love the culture of swimming/hot pots that people go to on a near daily basis. Would be a fantastic place to raise a family and it's insanely safe.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...2C_Iceland.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...2C_Iceland.jpg

https://c8.alamy.com/comp/HAFA8N/peo...vik-HAFA8N.jpg
https://c8.alamy.com/comp/HAFA8N/peo...vik-HAFA8N.jpg

http://www.traveller.com.au/content/...4678541766.jpg
http://www.traveller.com.au/content/...4678541766.jpg
https://icelandmag.is/sites/default/...?itok=ADoUTAO9

Other contenders: Charleston, SC / Calistoga, CA / Bainbridge Island, WA (it's only accessible to Seattle by ferry so rather isolated)

2.) Union City, NJ / Population 70,387

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...QBedlILRGayqoE

Annapolis, MD or Charleston/Savannah

Maybe Sarasota or Naples in Florida and Sonoma, California.

Newport, RI, Burlington, VT or Portsmouth, NH

A lot of the small CA towns are actually part of a much bigger area...otherwise, I'd pick something like Manhattan Beach or Ventura.

Santa Cruz despite all the tweekers

The city-state called "Monaco". As of 2017, it had 38,695 residents.

That place is lovely. I'd pick that place, if I had to live in it.

I wish I could afford it, but if I was forced to be anywhere, it would be Monaco.

Locally? If I could cheat it a bit, probably Kingston, ON (metro pop. 160,000). Fairly vibrant, historic university city 2 hours drive/train ride from both Toronto and Montreal.

https://live.staticflickr.com/4062/3...bcd232e6_b.jpg
Kingston Ontario at Night by Jack Tome, on Flickr

Otherwise, one of the other Victorian towns along the Lake Ontario shoreline like Cobourg or Brockville would work.

Globally though? I'll happily live in any Mediterranean or Alpine town. Maybe compromise between the two with somewhere like Lake Como.

https://odis.homeaway.com/odis/listi...26b2b3.c10.jpg
https://www.vrbo.com/436662ha

Santa Barbara, CA (that's pretty far from LA, right)?

Ann Arbor, MI

Key West, Florida. Chapel Hill, NC. Boone, NC. Any number of NC beach towns.

[QUOTE=the urban politician;8597381]Santa Barbara, CA (that's pretty far from LA, right)?/QUOTE]

I wouldn't call it "far" maybe like hr hr 1/2 from downtown LA -

Quote:

Originally Posted by destroycreate (Post 8597238)

One of the recent threads about people not wanting to leave their hometowns got me thinking about this. I know we fetishize mega cities on this board, but rarely do we discuss smaller cities.

I know you addressed Iceland, but Santa Barbara is far from small. The City may be 90k but the Metro Area is 430k

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician (Post 8597381)

Santa Barbara, CA (that's pretty far from LA, right)?

santa barbasa is 95 miles driving distance from downtown LA.

google maps says that the current drive time is 1:47.

to put it in local terms, that's roughly the same distance from downtown chicago to downtown milwaukee.

Quote:

Originally Posted by initiald (Post 8597418)

Key West, Florida. Chapel Hill, NC. Boone, NC. Any number of NC beach towns.

I can see Key West but the issue with Key West would be like you see in that "too many people want to travel thread": too many drunk tourists making life a pain for the locals, and AirBnb spreading them into the neighborhoods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obadno (Post 8597427)

I know you addressed Iceland, but Santa Barbara is far from small. The City may be 90k but the Metro Area is 430k

I actually didn't know that, so I stand corrected. I never thought of SB as having a ~metro~ area to be honest.

For the person saying it's 1/2 drive to LA, that's absolutely not true. On a good day, maybe 90 minutes, but typically well above that.

This is easy-- Burlington, VT. It's a beautiful town right on Lake Champlain, with great breweries, restaurants, and entertainment. It also has fantastic skiing, biking, and hiking close by.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JManc (Post 8597332)

Newport, RI, Burlington, VT or Portsmouth, NH

A lot of the small CA towns are actually part of a much bigger area...otherwise, I'd pick something like Manhattan Beach or Ventura.

Portland, ME, is also a contender.

This answer fits the city population requirement, but falls out of line in regards to the metro population requirement; however, I'll say it anyway. I'd definitely choose Harrisburg if I had to live in a small city! It has a nice setting on the Susquehanna River, beautiful architecture, great jobs in government, and Amtrak access to Philly, NYC, and Pittsburgh!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist (Post 8597449)

Portland, ME, is also a contender.

Portland, ME is a great city, but it's metro pop. is half a million.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilliesPhan (Post 8597453)

I've said it many times here before, but Eastern Pennsylvania's small cities are - at least as far as urbanity is concerned - the best of their size in North America. If I were from the region and priced out of the big cities, I'd definitely consider places like Allentown or Reading as viable cheaper alternatives.

(also all too big for this thread though)