If you are coming from the NYC metro area, have a $2,000 rent budget, and want to be relatively close to Boston, Manchester/Concord are your main options (possibly Nashua if you can find a deal). This subreddit has a very strong bias against Manchester because it's unsafe by NH standards, but it has most of what you need, is centrally located, and is affordable. There are various apartments in Merrimack, Bedford, and Hooksett if you don't want to be in Manchester proper. Concord is smaller but still has most of what you need and a nice downtown. If you're not used to less urban living, live in one of the smaller cities/larger towns for a year and then decide if you want to move somewhere more rural would be my $0.02. Welcome to NH and best of luck with your search!