Give Manchester a chance is my advice. It will likely have the most rental options under $2k, it is under an hour from the ocean, Boston, and lakes/mountains, and it has some of the best food in the state due in large part to its diverse population. If you’re single and looking to date there’s also lots of clubs, events, social sports, bars etc. There is also poverty, homelessness, and crime, just like any other comparably sized city. Don’t go looking for trouble, lock your car doors, and you should be fine.