Korcula, Croatia

If you don't mind being a little isolated, the idea of living on a small island in the Adriatic Sea has its appeal. Korcula is quite beautiful, with some great views and a nice climate (mild in the winter, warm in the summer). It checks in at 108 square miles, so there's room to do a little traveling and see other people if you'd like. There are more than 15,000 people living in Korcula at the last count.

The history of the place is quite complicated. The Romans, Venetians, and Austrians all had a turn at running the island. Italy had a chance at the job after World War I, but it wound up as part of the newly former Yugoslavia. The territory changed hands a bit in the next World War, but it eventually went back to being part of Yugoslavia. It joined with Croatia when the old arrangement broke up. 

If you require some contact with civilization every so often, there is a ferry service to the mainland. Here's a chance to look around: