What's the city like? Job market, crime rate, internet service, areas where homes/townhomes are sub $150k?

Looking into cities that would allow me to slow down the pace of life considerably from a big city. I don't like the big city life at all.

All I care about in life is to work my hours to get by and pitch in for retirement. I'm a big homebody and a nerd, so nightlife and its cost isn't an issue. Another thread points to a healthy community for nerd culture.

Some of the homes look fairly cost effective. I'd love a $1000 mortgage. Pretty handy, so anything I don't already know regarding maintenance in snowy areas, I can probably learn.

What's the diversity like? Are people generally accepting of those covered in traditional tattoos?

Is it a city where one could find a security guard job relatively quickly to get started with some form of income? Maybe look into accounting or other white collar work later? Local truck driving?