Where to move?  

How about Columbia, MD?
It's been near the top of the Best 100 Places to live in the US list (or something like that) for a long time---great schools, low crime, ethnically and culturally diverse, stuff to do, lots of trees and green places, great libraries, numerous lakes and parks, good restaurants, ETC!
There are a lot of 70s houses, not much in the 50s or early 60s. Some of the 70s houses look promising on the outside but the construction isn't the greatest. But still, there are some gems.
It's about 3-3.5 hours to NYC. I think Amtrak goes through Columbia to NYC, or you can hop on in Balto or one of the northern DC suburbs. (Oh yeah, Balto crabcakes and DC museums are nearby--double bonus.)
No idea what your price range is, but here goes--
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Columbia/5523-High-Tor-Hl-21045/home/9962727
this one has horrid diagonal cedar siding but inside it's much better:
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Columbia/11454-High-Hay-Dr-21044/home/9909556
short sale (ugh) but gives you an idea, at least:
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Columbia/11303-Tooks-Way-21044/home/9920259
Last one below---cluttered with junk and some awful carpet and you'd have to redo the kitchen cabs, but what a setting!
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Columbia/5523-High-Tor-Hl-21045/home/9962727

Buying a new home is a huge decision.
You are doing your homework (pardon the pun) more diligently than I did myself recently. Thank my lucky stars, I now have a solid (cash) offer on the newly purchased crib, and close in 30 days. The new owner has wanted the place for years, but wasn't in a position to jump 3 months ago. I broke even, after considering the realtor commissions, etc...and I didn't divide the land (thankfully). I am quite relieved. Perhaps you should let the home find you?. Anyhow, best of luck on/in your new abode Adam. With your lovely artwork, the place will be stunning.
Always,
Mark

I want to thank everyone...
I want to thank everyone for posting on this thread. There's a lot of directions to go and that's a good thing. I'll keep everyone posted as far as what we decide.
Yours,
Cousin Adam

This
looks great!
http://www.wowhaus.co.uk/2013/10/01/on-the-market-1950s-jules-gregory-de...

Only one option, adam...
Beyond Thunderdome.

I have one
in Clemson, SC in the middle of town but still in the woods, built in 1958. It's technically not for sale right now but it will be as soon as I finish replacing the carpets and painting inside.
Not really within driving distance to NYC, but Greenville-Spartanburg airport is only 1 hour away.
Here are some pics and the link to the photobucket album. I think the realtor has put it on Zillow, too, but it's still posted as NFS. (Google 129 Folger St. and it will come up on Zillow).
This was the house that started my love affair with mid-century modern design and holds a very dear place in my heart!
http://s846.photobucket.com/user/rikicampbell/library/Folger%20Street?so...

I would do it in a heartbeat...
I would do it in a heartbeat honestly if only I could afford to.
Love the home and the lot.
and just around the corner from my in-laws but not too close.
thanks

Adam, I will
give you the once-in-a-lifetime DA discount.

P & A,
this is starting to sound a bit like advertising, sorry. Do you want me to put my house on the Radar and send Adam over there? I will, no problem.

Thanks for the offer Riki,...
Thanks for the offer Riki, that's too kind of you.

we may have found our future home
wish us luck

Nice!
Very cool. Where is it located?

I'm going to have to keep...
I'm going to have to keep that to myself until things move further along. Sorry

No Worries Adam
I won't be snatching it away from you. I guess that's good not to let the internet know who is trying to buy what and where.
Good luck. I hope you get it. And if you do, share pictures of the inside too.

Wow
Good luck, Adam. Looks like a beauty.