Think of the rollicking dining halls in Harry Potter movies. Or the imposing buildings, canals and libraries featured on the Detective Morse television series. You'll find yourself in jolly old Oxford, gateway to the charming pastoral hills of the Cotswolds. Home to 38 colleges that comprise Oxford University, the city of just over 150,000 residents offers a quality of life that's relaxing as well as hugely intellectually stimulating.

Has a modern side, too

While the area's aura of history envelops visitors and residents like a thick fog, Oxford also has its hip side, as highlighted in The New York Times in 2012: "Night spots blare house and electronic music; restaurants serve modern takes on local food and exotic ethnic cuisine; and comfortable boutique hotels and bed-and-breakfasts beat medieval lodging houses for comfort any day."