North Adams, MA

Tucked into the northern Berkshires near the Vermont border, North Adams is a small mountain city with a distinct industrial character. Steep wooded hills rise directly above the river valley, giving residents quick access to hiking trails on Mount Greylock as well as easy drives to nearby Williamstown and Pittsfield. The historic brick factories and Victorian neighborhoods still shape the landscape, creating a compact, walkable setting with an unpretentious New England feel.

ATTRBeyond My Ken / CC BY-SA 4.0

Today, the city is best known for MASS MoCA, a sprawling contemporary art museum that transformed a complex of abandoned factory buildings into one of the country's most celebrated cultural centers. Along with the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, the museum brings artists, students, and live performances into the heart of town throughout the year. Between the local coffee shops, scenic surroundings, and relatively accessible housing, North Adams offers a creative, down-to-earth base in the Berkshires.