UK -> US East Coast.

So I'm a UK Citizen, and my other half is from the US (New Jersey) specifically we currently both live in London. We're thinking of moving to the US in a few years, just to be closer to her aging parents, who still live in New Jersey. She also has family in Atlanta.

We're looking at potential places on the East Coast, that is not NJ and Atlanta so we it can be somewhat quick and cheap to visit her parents.

- If we were to move away from London in the UK, we would look at areas in Lake/Peak district.
- Liberal city/town.
- Somewhere that is walkable or has decent public transport (one of the reasons we don't like Atlanta or New Jersey as nothing seems walkable)
- Dog friendly (real important)
- Easy access to nature.
- We don't and won't have kids, so doesn't need to be "family friendly"
- Currently where we live is quite artsy, with lots of cool local bars, restaurants, breweries.

Somewhere like Boulder seemed perfect, but it maybe a bit to far.

We earn about $500k USD combined, currently live in London so use to high cost of property/rent/living but something cheaper would be ideal, but not dealbreaker.

Any recommendations?