Agree with Alt - St. J is one of the last "real" Vermont towns left -it is a very nice community. Not touristy. Very quiet. Beautiful architecture thanks to the Fairbanks legacy. Has a top notch high school - St. Johnsbury Academy -
St. Johnsbury. Catamount Arts is in town and brings concerts, art shows, movies, etc.
Catamount Arts - (802) 748-2600 - Bringing Art to the NEK!
Lyndon up the road is another nice community. The local high school is very good and is also home to Lyndon State College.
Good skiing nearby at Burke Mountain in East Burke. East Burke is also a mountain biking mecca-home to Kingdom Trails.
Kingdom Trails Association.
Boston is a little under 3 hours-it's a straight shot down I-93. Montreal is about 2 hours. Burlington an hour and a half.
You'll really have to come visit and spend some time checking out the towns to see which ones would be a fit for you.