I can speak for two of the states you've mentioned. If you head for Arizona...go to Tucson. Absolutely gorgeous city set in a bowl surrounded by mountains on all sides. All the conveniences of a big city, but still a very small-town feel and no other large cities around it. If you're outside of Tucson, you're out in the country and it's very nice. Unlike most big cities where they just sprawl right into one another. It's not as hot as Phoenix and much much prettier.

If you head for Texas, I would highly recommend San Antonio. It's more sprawly than Tucson is, but still not as bad as most big cities. Tons of stuff to see and do around here and only a couple hours away from some very nice beaches.

With hubby in the Air Force, I've lived in a lot of different cities. Tucson is at the top of my list of cities I'd want to live in. San Antonio is second on the list.