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To some degree you are describing the southern Appalachians, which the suggestions of Asheville (small city) or Knoxville (bigger) fit. If you get a lot with creek frontage you will usually have reasonably good soil in the "N-year" flood plain (typically have a bit of rise in lots; houses are built above that).
We spent some time in the Atlanta area. It's a HUGE city but there are trees everywhere and water features throughout. Many outlying areas are very rural. I know Gwinnet County has the best park system in the country. I'd go a little further out than that. But for dining and day trips to the city (GA Aquarium is unmatched for quality), health care... The Underground was just purchased and is in planning stages of refurbishment. There are companies moving to that area. There is revitalization all over the place. Convenient, easy airport. Traffic is a nightmare so you'd have to plan around commute times. (you know you're in trouble when the traffic report plays 24/7) All-in-all we really enjoyed the area. We were there a year and a half.
We spent some time in the Atlanta area. It's a HUGE city but there are trees everywhere and water features throughout. Many outlying areas are very rural. I know Gwinnet County has the best park system in the country. I'd go a little further out than that. But for dining and day trips to the city (GA Aquarium is unmatched for quality), health care... The Underground was just purchased and is in planning stages of refurbishment. There are companies moving to that area. There is revitalization all over the place. Convenient, easy airport. Traffic is a nightmare so you'd have to plan around commute times. (you know you're in trouble when the traffic report plays 24/7) All-in-all we really enjoyed the area. We were there a year and a half.
I lived in Atlanta from age 5-25 except for a couple of teenage years (moved away and then back). We had 41 straight days above 100 one summer. Snow that amounted to much didn't happen every year, but most years it happened a couple of times. I would look at Cherokee County before Gwinnett. Cherokee is where foot hills start forming and it can make a difference of a few degrees on a lot of days/nights.
Am looking for the same as you. Am seriously considering Fayetteville, AR. Not great medical care, but I think enough.
Actually, Northwest Arkansas has excellent medical care with Washington Regional Hospital system in Fayetteville and Mercy Health System just minutes up the road in Rogers. The ground is very rocky but the determined gardener can get crops to grow. It does get pretty hot in the summer though.
Try Traverse City, Michigan and surrounding areas.
It gets more snow than you may want, often depends on the lake effect.
Brother and SIL live in TC. This is the first year they wish they had AC install when they built the house 20 years ago.
The whole region is often compared to northern California for the moderate temperatures and growing conditions. Here again due to lake effect. Northern Michigan wine is very highly regarded.
Cost of living is pretty moderate--overall Michigan has a reasonable COL.
Medical might be the weak spot here. Munson Medical is the primary hospital. There is a great deal of wealth in the area espically heading east towards Petosky, Charloviox and Harbor Springs.
Another thought would be the Lake Michigan shore side near Grand Rapids.
The whole Lake Michigan side is not the Michigan people think off. You will be amazed at the vibrancy, the economic activity, the cultural aspects here.
While I am hardly any expert on the detailed geography of the United States, it seems to me you are asking an awful lot. In other words, I don't think you'll find all five conditions together in one place. Sort of like asking for low cost of housing, but with world class live opera within walking distance. Not going to happen.
Parameters #1, #2, and #4 will be met in Blue Ridge, Georgia, which is a bit over 100 miles north of Atlanta and just south of the Tennessee line. The elevation is higher than Atlanta, hence the milder summer temperatures. There is some snow every winter, but not real often and it doesn't stick very long. Even #3 may be met there, I'm not sure. If so, that would be four out of five.
#4 is relative. If you mean "low cost of living" compared to Washington D.C.. New York City, and San Francisco, then it won't be hard to find almost anywhere.
There is no earthly paradise - every location has numerous trade-offs.
While I don't know about world class live opera within walking distance, within a short drive is Interlochen Arts Academy. This is truly a Julliard of the Midwest. When I was a student there 1 summer, many long years ago, Van Cliburn played shortly after winning the Moscow piano competition. Also heard the Mormon Tabernacle choir that summer.
Try Traverse City, Michigan and surrounding areas.
It gets more snow than you may want, often depends on the lake effect.
.....
Another thought would be the Lake Michigan shore side near Grand Rapids.
I agree with pretty much everything you stated about these cities in Michigan except the winter condition which certainly do not meet the 'occasional snow' requirement.
While living in Michigan, I only visited Traverse city in non-winter condition so I do not know how bad is the lake effect snow there in comparison to where my families have lived (Grand Rapids, Coopersville, Fruitport, Grand Haven, North Muskegon, Whitehall and Houghton).
A quick check on wikipedia showed an average yearly snow fall of 74.3 inches in Traverse City which I think a lot more than the 'occasional snow' which the OP had indicated.
Aside from the snowfall, the lake effect snow condition renders the sky quite gray for at least 5 months. Some of my relatives who are afflicted with SAD had to move out of Michigan to sunny California and Florida.
I agree with pretty much everything you stated about these cities in Michigan except the winter condition which certainly do not meet the 'occasional snow' requirement.
While living in Michigan, I only visited Traverse city in non-winter condition so I do not know how bad is the lake effect snow there in comparison to where my families have lived (Grand Rapids, Coopersville, Fruitport, Grand Haven, North Muskegon, Whitehall and Houghton).
A quick check on wikipedia showed an average yearly snow fall of 74.3 inches in Traverse City which I think a lot more than the 'occasional snow' which the OP had indicated.
Aside from the snowfall, the lake effect snow condition renders the sky quite gray for at least 5 months. Some of my relatives who are afflicted with SAD had to move out of Michigan to sunny California and Florida.
Your relatives who lived in Houghton(assuming the UP town not the LP lake) probably got slammed every winter. 15-20 ft a year is/was normal up there. There is a snow thermometer outside of Houghton, one year they got about 30 feet. The Keweenaw Snow Thermometer
We lived in the UP for a number of years so amounts would be relative to what we have experienced.
I read that the OP was hoping for at least occasional snow--- and it is truly spectacular weather in the spring, summer and fall.
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