Deep In The Heart of ?????

I'm starting to have my usual doubts about moving to Texas. Can someone please make this decison for me, please. Here are the facts: I want to move out of California, at least Southern California. Texas just seems so far away. It's a 5 hour plane ride, and a 24 hour drive. This is my reason for not wanting to be so far away, our future children. I cannot imagine being so far away from my parents, especially being a first time mom. I know people live far away from their families and have children every day. But for me, I just get sad every time I think about it. So now my mad search is beginning, for the perfect place to move. It has to be within a few hours away, no more than a 2 hour plane ride, and somewhere you can drive within 8 hours. It has to have a that "home town" feel. It must be safe and have great schools. It needs to have personality. I don't care if it is out of the state. And there can be no "bro's and bro ho's". Oh, and did I mention this place needs to be affordable. Any suggestions on where this place is?!