Houston is a bit on the hot side in summer and hurricanes do whack it occassionally. I like atlanta for somehting in that same size range, and if cmaller is better, NC and SC raleigh, Winstom salem, spartanburg, charlotte, columbia etc.
Get a bit closer to the ocean like wilmington or savannah GA and you can surf all you want.
No bugs in this whole area to speak of, its not in the locust belt. The 17 year swarm has charlotte on the edge on its projection but in 2004 it never even caused a whimper.
Cool.
Cow_tipping.