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Of those that have been mentioned, Boulder probably best fits the criterion about being close to a larger city. I've never been to Ann Arbor, but if it has as much of a Bohemian twist as I picture, it would be a good possibility. A lot of college towns probably fit the bill when it comes to having a hippie feel locally, but it's a question of which ones are close to a larger city. A couple of smaller communities that might be possibilities: Oberlin and Athens (both in OH). Speaking of Athens, another town which, like Ann Arbor, I've never been to, but which, aside from meager snowfall, might fit, if it's anything like I've heard, would be Athens, GA.
Boulder does not have real hippies! They are pretentious "know it all college hippies" (from south park) Seriously though, they are rich kids from California that grow dreds and think that they were part of the diggers from San Fran. Actually most college towns have these kids. Nevermind.
Lawrence, Kansas a rockin' co-op grocery and is near Kansas City. If you live east Lawrence you will find it very walkable. Amazing music scene.
Iowa City, Iowa is fairly nice.
I'd suggest Eugene, OR, where I went to college (for Freshman & Sophomore years)... it seems to fit all of your criteria, though it's slightly over an hour from Portland, and doesn't get a ton of snow. But it does have SOME snow, and is a big enough city on it's own, that the distance from Portland isn't a huge deal. You might also consider Portland itself, any town in western Washington, and Boulder, CO. I also would suggest Ashland, OR. or Arcata, CA., but neither are an hour from a big city.
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