If you like small to mid sized southern type cities, Lexington Kentucky and Johnson City Tennessee come to mind, not necessarily in either city proper but nearby.
Beautiful country, Republican since Lincoln. They even have winter.
Just left Johnson City...difficult to find work. IF you can find a good-paying job, it's a nice area.
We've got to oust the Democrap mayor here in Lexington, but other than that it is one of the best "small" big towns I've been to.