Ithaca, New York

Population: 96,493
Cost of Living: 96.2
Median Home Price: $130,100

Yes, it’s isolated, and yes, it's cold in winter. But located at the foot of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region of central New York, Ithaca offers intense natural beauty. Housing is relatively cheap, and the town has more than 200 restaurants, including Moosewood, of cookbook fame. Two campuses are set in Ithaca’s hills: Cornell University, shown here, and Ithaca College. Retirees looking for intellectual stimulation can attend Cornell’s Adult University, open to alumni, and their friends and families.