Blacksburg, VA, United States

With a population of just 44,826, Blacksburg is a sleepy college town dominated by Virginia Tech - and that's both a blessing and a curse. The tax burden is heavy thanks to the university's outsized influence, while the town's cozy size means bureaucratic headaches are a persistent annoyance. But the climate is pleasantly cooler than the lowland areas of Virginia, with just 5 days per year reaching 90°F. Overall, Blacksburg offers a tranquil, insular existence for those willing to overlook its administrative quirks and embrace small-town life revolving around the university.