[hax0rbana]

You have at least some of your requirements already. Pick a few candidate towns and scope them out (home prices, weather, healthcare, public transit, culture, local hangouts, art, whatever appeals to you).

When you think you found a good one, go visit in person and see if it meets expectations.

If you want a specific instance, check out Champaign-Urbana, IL. There's Research Park, the University of Illinois, a bunch of bars and restaurants, fun art sprinkled around town, gigabit fiber and homes are under $200K. We walk to the grocery store with our wagon and just fill it up instead of using a shopping cart. If you come visit, be sure to check out Black Dog (a barbeque joint). https://yourewelcomecu.com/