Best place to but a home/settle down in Upstate New York?

Former New Yorker living in Denver Colorado. Grew up down state but spent my college years and 20s in Binghampton, Oneonta and Plattsburgh. Lived in Syracuse for a few years and buffalo as well.

I miss upstate new york with all my heart but can't move back permanently for various reasons. However, I'd like to buy a property in a small/mid sized town upstate so I can spend all my free time there and was hoping you fine folks could help me narrow down a town.

Budget: 300-400k.

Wants: close to hiking and outdoor rec, the classic "downtown/main street" most upstate towns have, 3 hour max drive from an international airport. The feel of a college town without all the college kids lol. Lots of snow.

To be clear. I'm not an investor or snowbird. I plan to hold this forever and have family that live in NYV/Long Island so the house will be occupied year round by someone. It won't sit empty.