Any super awesome under the radar (ie cheap) places in the US for travel?

[Quidnon?]

Really looking forward to slow travel in the future where we plan to spend 1-2 months per year somewhere different. Being Canadian we have been to some of the major centers in the US and for sure we would never run out of stuff to do in places like LA and New York.

However any kind of monthly accommodations are pretty darn expensive even with AirBnB and the like around now in those types of places.

What are your hidden gems out there for relatively low cost of living places to visit in the States?

The "deep south" has always interested us - places like Savannah, but have never been for example.  Instead of L.A - can we get the California experience elsewhere on the cheap in nearby suburbs?  Long Beach maybe?

Basically looking for spots that:
-good 'foodie' scene

Louisville, Kentucky.  Best Foodie city I've ever seen.  Some kinds of food I've never heard of anywhere else.  Try a "Hot Brown" at least once in your life.  If you are "traveling slow" through the city in April, there is an entire selection of "free" concerts and public events that lead up to the Kentucky Derby, but you have to buy a "Derby Pin", which is a sort of admission to most of these events, it was $6 when I was there.  Some kind of donation, but I didn't really listen.  There are also public events surrounding other races before the Derby, a hot air balloon race, some kind of bike race, and a riverboat race that seems rigged.  And a rubber duck race in the river.  And there is a huge fireworks show on the river during this time, also free with the pin.  Oh, and they also race airplanes during the daylight before the fireworks.  April is a good month to visit Louisville.

http://www.brainjet.com/places/1282/11-biggest-and-best-fireworks-displays-around-the-world?story_page=3


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Brown

I'd also recommend South Haven, Michigan as a sleepy kind of resort town.  Free public beaches on the lake, all of it can be walked or biked, relatively cheap accommodations are available.  No public bus as far as I know, but you don't need it; the town really is that small.  Mid to late summer, though, unless you like to swim in some rather chilly water, or you were born a polar bear.

[Dicey]

I'm going to throw Cleveland Ohio into the ring for your consideration.

It checks all of your boxes (good - nay - great foodie scene, lots of live music, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is at your doorstep for hiking and kayaking, Public transportation both rail and bus, an a variety of inner-ring neighborhoods to explore) and it is CHEAP.

Some people may hate on my suggestion to come to CLE, but given your criteria I think it's worth doing a little research...you'll be surprised!

Nothing wrong with Ohio.

Wish I could say that about Reno...Nope, can't do it.

[Metric Mouse]

I'm going to throw Cleveland Ohio into the ring for your consideration.

It checks all of your boxes (good - nay - great foodie scene, lots of live music, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is at your doorstep for hiking and kayaking, Public transportation both rail and bus, an a variety of inner-ring neighborhoods to explore) and it is CHEAP.

Some people may hate on my suggestion to come to CLE, but given your criteria I think it's worth doing a little research...you'll be surprised!

Nothing wrong with Ohio.

Wish I could say that about Reno...Nope, can't do it.

Well you could... but you'd be fibbing.

[boarder42]

Really looking forward to slow travel in the future where we plan to spend 1-2 months per year somewhere different. Being Canadian we have been to some of the major centers in the US and for sure we would never run out of stuff to do in places like LA and New York.

However any kind of monthly accommodations are pretty darn expensive even with AirBnB and the like around now in those types of places.

What are your hidden gems out there for relatively low cost of living places to visit in the States?

The "deep south" has always interested us - places like Savannah, but have never been for example.  Instead of L.A - can we get the California experience elsewhere on the cheap in nearby suburbs?  Long Beach maybe?

Basically looking for spots that:
-good 'foodie' scene

Louisville, Kentucky.  Best Foodie city I've ever seen.  Some kinds of food I've never heard of anywhere else.  Try a "Hot Brown" at least once in your life.  If you are "traveling slow" through the city in April, there is an entire selection of "free" concerts and public events that lead up to the Kentucky Derby, but you have to buy a "Derby Pin", which is a sort of admission to most of these events, it was $6 when I was there.  Some kind of donation, but I didn't really listen.  There are also public events surrounding other races before the Derby, a hot air balloon race, some kind of bike race, and a riverboat race that seems rigged.  And a rubber duck race in the river.  And there is a huge fireworks show on the river during this time, also free with the pin.  Oh, and they also race airplanes during the daylight before the fireworks.  April is a good month to visit Louisville.

http://www.brainjet.com/places/1282/11-biggest-and-best-fireworks-displays-around-the-world?story_page=3


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Brown

I'd also recommend South Haven, Michigan as a sleepy kind of resort town.  Free public beaches on the lake, all of it can be walked or biked, relatively cheap accommodations are available.  No public bus as far as I know, but you don't need it; the town really is that small.  Mid to late summer, though, unless you like to swim in some rather chilly water, or you were born a polar bear.

I'd say Lexington fits this as well and is likely cheaper plus in the heart of lots of free bourbon tasting tours. Could do Louisville and lex at the same time. Lex also has a crazy good craft beer and food truck scene. Often the trucks will be at the tap rooms for the craft beer locations.