Steerpike

Having spent most of my US life (27+ years) living in the Bay Area, and loving it, and having traveled to about 15-20 other states over the years, I'd have to say nothing much has taken my fancy compared to the Bay Area (except AZ - see below ...)

I personally don't like cold or rain, and I don't like high humidity ... so that rules out a huge portion of the country (entire east cost, mid-west, northern states, Gulf Coast, Pacific Northwest, etc). Even Hawaii is a challenge - pretty but it's very humid so I can't get excited about the place. I'm not a 'beach' person, so the lack of warm water and sandy beaches in northern CA is not an issue for me.

The Bay Area (northern CA) has a whole lot going for it - great weather, close to mountains (Sierras), National Parks (Yosemite, Lassen), ocean, wine country, culture (SF), fabulous food, relatively great job market (for me in high tech), no religious pressure, heavily democrat, incredibly diverse (less than 50% white in SF).

Downsides would be cost of living, and a bit more winter rain than I'd like (being picky/spoiled!). And yes, the homeless situation in SF is an outrage, and was one reason for me to move to the burbs.

Ironically, despite loving the Bay Area, I've spent much of the past 18 months in Arizona due to a job situation that was just too good to pass up. The summer months in Phoenix/Scottsdale are, indeed, a bit of a struggle (over 100F almost every day for 3 months), but - the humidity typically runs around 15%, and the rest of the year is truly delightful. And 90 minutes on a $100 plane ride lands me back in SF ... What REALLY makes me happy in AZ is the scenery; the place is unlike anywhere else on earth (that I've ever seen, other than Utah) - from giant cactus (Saguaro) to Grand Canyons to Monument Valley. I can drive 1-2 hours from my place here and be 20, 30 degrees cooler in the mountains, and drive through scenery that blows your mind. Sedona is absolutely jaw-dropping beautiful, Flagstaff is interesting, Show Low is fun, and the drive to all these places is great. The food options are relatively limited, the diversity is low, but I don't sense any religious pressure. Definitely a nice place to be. I love the fact I get to travel between here and the Bay Area every month.

Utah is at least as spectacular as AZ, but - the Mormon influence is a bit pervasive (you can't rely on getting a beer at a typical restaurant, as an example).

New Mexico is probably the one other place I'd consider ... Santa Fe is drop-dead gorgeous, and the surrounding countryside is nice. It does get cold in winter, but I'd tolerate that since the summers are nice, and the whole state has a certain 'ambiance' that I like.

I'm pretty sure I'll retire here, but if I were to go back to Europe it would be to Tuscany (weather/food/architecture), or Andalusia (same reasons).

Hubcaps

According to the font of all knowledge (King 5 news) summer finishes up here on Wednesday evening. I'm guessing it must have been practising for it for the last couple of weeks then

The Horticulturalist

I know, it's nuts!

So we're watching the 10 day forecast on the news last night, 95 and sunny today, 99 and sunny tomorrow. Nevermind, it'll be 85 by the weekend, that's nice and cool.....

Octang Frye

Colorado. Hawaii/Kenya, would be second choice.

But the correct and only answer is Colorado. The rest of you are wrong.

Stirchley

Hartford, CT seems to be gearing up for summer again. Never fails as soon as DH removes the air conditioning unit.

Redwing

Having lived in 10 states, including Tennessee twice, it's TN for me.