Thanks for your reply Russell. I've spent a lot of time looking at info on Keene, including taking "virtual trips" through various areas via Google street view. The neighborhoods to the west and north do look favorable. I have looked at the "Free Streets Project" area that I mentioned, and it does look like a nice neighborhood but it's a little too close to the center of the city, I think. And I don't think I will be living near the Keene State College, though. (I've been in the Boston area for years, enough with the "snowflakes." Sorry for my offending remarks.

) I would more likely be living in a house than an apartment. Although I would probably get an apartment at first because it is unlikely that I'd find the "right" house right away.
If I am able to buy a house, I am not even sure it will be in Keene, maybe in Swanzey. One of my minor issues is that all the homes in Keene seem to be on the public water supply. On the Internet, I don't think I've seen any homes for sale with a private well and septic. Are private wells not allowed in Keene? Even the more expensive homes in the more "secluded" areas do not seem to have their own private wells. (I've been in the Boston area for many years. In 2010 a water main burst and it was part of the main water supply, and they had to hook up a temporary access to "pond water" as the source of water. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Boston_water_emergency] During times like that, I become a "snowflake." It was very distressing. Am I "spoiled"? I guess so.)
Another thing is that many homes in Keene, including the larger ones (like 1800 sq. ft. and up), only have one bathroom. There should be a full (or at least 3/4) bath in the upstairs and at least a 1/2 bath in the downstairs.
I do like the fact that there are so many places for shopping, especially all the grocery stores. I don't like to order stuff online.