Ross, as others have said, it will come down to choice and we all have our favourite spots, but after three régions (Paris, Burgundy/Jura, Corrèze) I have to say that the Corrèze for me, leaves the others literally for cold. Looking at the map we are probably South-Centre France but leaning South-East.
The SW is also relatively expensive as our recent (app.12months ago) revealed. The Lot is probably one of the most underrated and a bit cheaper than the Dordogne, but for us the Corrèze has been a revelation. Much better prices on property for starters, and the weather is mild although gets warm in the Summer. Even though we are adjacent to one of the coldest régions - the Cantal, here we seem to have a microclimate that is very favourable BUT and it is a big but, this only applies (we are told) to the Southern part of the Corrèze. Certainly this past winter saw some snow, but shortlived, unlike the Jura!
Shopping dépends on a car of course, and the Centre is NOT well served by TGV or even trains for some reason. Local bus services are not bad, but need planning around. However you can go to a multitude of towns from where we are - centred on Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, within an hour or less. Brive being the biggest at 35 mins away, Souillac at 1 hour, Limoges/Cahors 1.5 hours etc.
Activities are very well catered for with everything from Jazz and Classical Concerst (many free) to International cInema, Book Fairs to Theatre.
The area Corrèze/Lot/Dordogne is of course blessed with a mass of notably Medieval History and Chateaux and Villes almost everywhere. I have just completed a book of illustrations of these and stopped at the 6Oth one, as it was getting ludicrous! Downside can be the extensive tourism but here at least the supermarkets seem to have got it worked out that the onrush doesn't hold up the shopping lines too much. There are many, many places (such as ours) where tourism doesn't reach, so we have our haven of peace as well.
I am sure others will tell you their tales of Heaven and sometimes Hell, but you should use your current 'wish-list' as a good guide. However, be careful in the expectation of making a living, as again others will explain running any sort of business here is fraught with frustrations of the bureaucratic type. Your net income seems quite adequate to me, and my wife and I live on a lot less than that.
Good luck!