Rebecca Fishbein

Aquebogue on Long Island’s North Fork may not have the star power of the Hamptons, but the lovely hamlet has wineries, beaches, and much cheaper real estate, including this charming three-bedroom, four-bath house currently on the market for $600,000.

Garrison has a lovely collection of reasonably priced real estate, including this two-bedroom, three-bath contemporary house at 10 Durisol Rd., now on the market for $570,000. The house, which sits on two acres of land, was built in 1979, has high ceilings and an open-concept light-filled living room, thanks to the attached solarium.

The town of West Hartford, Connecticut is ranked one of the best places to live in the country, thanks to its low cost of living, good public schools, and tangible New England charm. Comprising a modest 22-square-miles, the town is five miles from the bustling city of Hartford, and a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Manhattan. Best of all, the town is stocked with stately houses priced far below what you'd find in Manhattan.

Long Beach Island's draw is the beach, and the area is loaded with adorable beach houses. Consider, for instance, the three-bedroom, four-bath beach house at 2905 Long Beach Blvd in Long Beach Township's Brant Beach, now on the market for $899,950. The house was built in 2013 and has a sunny stone patio in the front.

As a barrier island, Long Beach was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Many houses were destroyed, and the city has been working to revitalize the area. There are a number of newer properties built to withstand future flooding. This four-bedroom, three-bath beach house at 91 Nebraska St., now on the market for $889,000 was built in 2014, and is elevated on stilts to minimize future flood damage.

Real estate prices are high in Boulder—the median listing price here is $849,000. Still, the city's glut of high-paying tech jobs offset some of the cost of living, plus you get a lot more bang (and sunshine) for your buck here. Here's a taste of what's on tap.