Keene, NH, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 23,047, Keene may seem like a quaint New England town, but the reality is far more complex. The tax burden is heavy, and the brutal winters - with over 112 inches of snow some years - are a persistent headache. Meanwhile, the city's history of civil disobedience, including arrests for filming in courtrooms, signals an undercurrent of tension. Keene is best suited for those who can handle the bureaucracy and harsh climate, and don't mind a little social friction.