I'm biased but....Arkansas.
this is hot springs, where I live.
It's an hour from Little Rock, which is a larger market, more variety.
The weather is mild year round, with great stormy springs and maybe one day of snow a per year.
It's very affordable living, land is cheap, you can find land with no zoning/building restrictions.
Hot springs has a great art scene, loads of festivals and a great farmers market.
Loads of wildlife/nature. Great rivers, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, canoe/kayaking, camping.
Climate zones are 8a and 7b.
