We spent years looking for the perfect US city to live in. After our dream picks let us down, we chose a spot we never expected.

Reflecting on everywhere we’d been over the past two years, we compared other locations to Tucson and decided to give it another month as a trial run.

We quickly fell for the otherworldly hiking trails, stunning sunsets with saguaro silhouettes, and quirky downtown establishments.

There are regular markets and festivals here, delicious Sonoran food on every corner, and fascinating wildlife.

We love that Tucson has a small-town feel while still offering the amenities of a bigger city. Each day has led to a new discovery, and slowly, life here has taken shape without us realizing it.

Regular players in the city’s flourishing music scene welcomed my husband with open arms. He has since secured work as a music teacher in two schools and has a busy gig schedule on weekends, playing everything from blues to show tunes in downtown venues.

We’ve attended art markets, events in independent bookstores, and line dancing classes in local bars. I joined an incredibly friendly book club that’s filled my social calendar, and every week, I find a new favorite café to work in.

It’s been almost six months since we moved to America, and so far, Tucson has our vote for the best US city to live in.