After many years of thinking I wanted something rural, and currently living in suburbia (25k pop) to a small city (180k pop), I've decided that my ideal would be a small (southern, for climate & LCOL) college town. I'd want a college town for some cultural activities that wouldn't normally be found in a small town, to be surrounded by intellectuals, to have the opportunity for further education and/or teaching position, but still small and walkable/bikeable.
I've come to realize I'm not really a country gal, and living on a small farm probably isn't a good idea for me. So a small house in the middle of a small town (with room enough for a small garden plot), may be perfect for me. I'll have to do some traveling around to be sure, but I'm imagining some place in Kentucky, Tennessee or North Carolina. I love the mountains (but don't necessarily want to live up a mountain) and would be nice to be in weekend getaway distance to some lovely hiking.