Miss Critter - what an interesting topic!
I have several second choices, many in Italy or France, but realistically I would LOVE to live in Fernandina Beach or some small town or out of the way place on the water - near Jacksonville, Florida (NOT Jax Beach - don't care much for it). Jax area is surrounded by much natural beauty, swamps, rivers, preserve, etc. The beach does not rival ours but the other natural resources definitely do. Fernandina Beach is my favorite place to visit in Florida and its filled with young families and surrounded with so much history. Downtown is wonderful and I've never had so much good food in many casual/cool restaurants in one little place. everytime we go we discover a more and more good food. Italian, French, Japanese, Spanish, Seafood (tons of real seafood shacks), etc. one of the best and most beautiful state parks - Fort Clinch - in the heart of Fernandina Beach.. You will find a lot of southern culture in NE Florida - and lots of Georgia folks. all good peeps. Visiting the big city of Jax is fun when you want to go to a play or museum, or just explore.
My other second choice is somewhere near Apalachicola on the river or bay - an out of the way spot - not sure exactly where. The Forgotten Coast is filled with natural beauty and still has much old charm. Excellent restaurants, and many seafood shacks (we just don't have 'em around here like that).. You will find mostly locals living in and around the area - lots of fishermen, etc. Shopping and art galleries galore in apalach keep things interesting.
Both areas are in North Florida are similar to SoWal with just the right amount of change in seasons throughout the year - but still maintaining a nice temperate climate (avg high temps range from 62 to 90).
there are other areas around the country such as Maine, lots of places in California, Ann Arbor (Paula - I've always heard this is a wonderful place to live) and several others... I would LOVE to explore but for now I would prefer to stay in Florida - and mostly in SoWal!