My husband and I built creative careers in London as a musician and a writer, respectively.

Though we loved it there, eventually, we struggled to face the reality of living in one of the most expensive cities in the world. After almost 10 years, we barely had anything saved, felt burned out, and were ready for a fresh start in a new place.

We'd always talked about moving to the US, so during the two-year process of getting visas, we took two road trips around the country to decide where we'd l...

As you drive into Tucson, you'll notice this desert city is surrounded on all sides by mountains, including Mount Lemmon, the tallest peak in the Santa Catalina range. There are over 150 local hiking trails on the menu, with Tucsonans tending to rhapsodize over the more popular areas...

Arizona boasts many geological marvels: the summits of Sedona, the basins of the Grand Canyon, and one of the state's most photographed natural wonders, Horseshoe Bend. With all this to see, Prescott might not be top of your travel bucket list, but if you seek higher elevation for a welcome getaway from the stifling heat of Arizona's deserts, it's time to bump it up to first place. Just off Highway 89, you'll find a paddler's playground: Watson Lake.

Phoenix is a sprawling metropolis that's often thought of as several cities in one. It's sandwiched between areas like Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Glendale, which can make choosing a neighborhood to visit — or live in — challenging. If "family-friendly" is a priority for you, then the highly sought-after Ahwatukee Foothills (pronounced "aa-wuh-too-kee") could be the charming locale you're looking for...

Sedona is one of Arizona's most beloved destinations, but the busy spring crowds can make it a challenging vacation for families to comfortably enjoy the great outdoors. The trick is to find a secluded swimming hole surrounded by easy, shaded hiking routes and places to swim with the kids in the calming energy of one of Sedona's 15 vortexes...

Seligman, Arizona is known as the inspiration for the fictional town of Radiator Springs in "Cars," and it tends to take all the touristic glory in this part of the state. But the film also pays tribute to several real-life Arizona towns along Route 66, including a town called Peach Springs. Much more than just a pit stop in a Pixar movie, this sleepy spot has a surprising amount of charm. And while Williams, AZ is said to be the gateway to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Peach Springs serves as the gateway to the canyon's West Rim. In other words, it's an ideal stopover when heading to the western side of the natural world wonder...