Hiawatha feels like a personable, walkable small city—maple‑lined streets, historic homes, the striking Davis Memorial, a lake and local museums give you quiet comfort plus parks, coffee shops and community events that make multi‑week assignments pleasant rather than isolating.
For weekend variety, St. Joseph, MO (about 41 miles) offers a larger dining/arts scene, and Topeka is roughly 69 miles south for more shopping and services, so bigger‑city amenities are an easy drive while you enjoy small‑town living.