I have spent a lot of time in AZ. Flagstaff is pretty neat, with the snow and all the good riding around there.
But, Virginia conservatives are like Progressives in AZ. The heavy hands of Sheriff Joe, and Gov Brewer, <shudder> No way dude, I could never settle there

 

Having lived in both places I have to totally disagree. Virginia is the most controlled and regulated place I've ever lived. They have some really strange laws here too (ABC), and tax on just about everything. Personal property tax, I have to pay almost $1200.00/per on my truck, motorcycles, and jet ski. They have police road blocks out on Friday and Saturday nights not that I do anything that I'd have to worry about that but it seems kind police statish to me. Come around a corner and there are 5 cop cars pulling everyone over to check for expired safety inspection stickers, tags, insurance, etc. I 'm pretty sure I've made up my mind to go. I miss riding trails that are 30-40 miles of technical single track. I went to the Hatfield McCoy trials the most they have at any one trail head (Rockhouse) is 8 miles and it was mostly a straight path. I had 32 miles right out of my garage when I lived in Flagstaff.

 

See, VA is a **** state! VA can burn! haha

 

Dood! We have tons of great dualsporting type stuff up here in Western Oregon (thousands of miles of wandering logging roads), but 40 miles of uninterrupted single track? That sounds like heaven to me! Many of the trails up are kwad width, with the associated dual ruts. (but I must confess I'm in love with the Oregon dunes) Maybe we need to move to Flagstaff too. My brother and his wife moved to Sedona from Eugene a few years back, and I seriously doubt they're missing the rain. Plus, the view from their living room looks like it should be a national park. No way we could afford Sedona, but F-staff is just up the road... with single track nirvana? hmmm...?

 

Same can be said for most of the eastern states, MA, CT, NY, RI, DE, etc.

I hated living on the east coast and I was in one of the least left leaning police states VT.

 

I guess any state can suck.. But VA takes the cake. CT/MA/NY/RI is nowhere near as bad!

 

Washington is the place to be my friends. We got the ocean, the lakes and rivers, the mountains, and OMG the places to ride!!! Speaking of that, I need to get old green out of the garage, I haven't rode much since I got the Honda...

 

Too bad WA has the rain and cold too!

CT is good riding but we have winter

I need 75° all year, and miles of singletrack, and I'd be a happy rider

 

I have to say if you care about the girl......(and you hinted you cared for her more than you wanted to admit)....be careful about losing that.....a human being and their heart is a lot more important than other needs in the long run.....i promise you that......think long term

 

See if she will go with.