What are some thoughts on the best medium to small US city?

I've recently moved to San Francisco (well... Oakland, but i'm in SF a good amount) and am not sure it's for me. I've lived in Boston, and Portland, OR as well and just haven't seemed to find my niche. I'm looking for something generally laid back and on the warmer side, but not so small that it doesn't have culture and really great places to eat/drink and food/record/clothing shop. Any thoughts?

Public Comments

1. if youre open to different regions, i would take the quiz at findyourspot.com to get some ideas
2. Sherman, TX . Not to big to get lost but small enough to relax yet close enough to Dallas, Tx for some real fun http://maps.live.com/?q=Sherman%2C+Tx&FORM=MSNH&mkt=en-US http://www.city-data.com/city/Sherman-Texas.html
3. Look for a college town . Check out money magazine, they do this sort of research all the time.
4. I spent a summer in Austin Texas once -- very hot, but a lot of fun and great Mexican food and music One of my college friends lived in Eugene, Oregon and I always enjoyed visiting her there --- it is near mountains, natural hotsprings, 45 minutes from the Pacific Ocean -- it is also a great city for getting around on a bicycle Portland Maine is also an amazing small city with great restaurants and views -= and it is in Casco Bay, which is full of islands and is beatiful place to explore -- I have a friend who lives on Peaks Island and he kayaks to his job in Portland