Ray2220,
Do have family in the East? If so, staying relatively near by may be helpful. Places like Cleveland and Detroit have reasonable housing, but the cities themselves are rather poor. Pittburgh is a little more expensive, but a lot less than NYC metro. Baltimore also, but Baltimore seems larger than what you’re looking for.
I think you need to look at your needs and wants and prioritize them. No place is going to have everything you want (unless you’re really lucky).