Matt, being a native of AZ for te past 28 years (spent 15 of those in Tucson) and also being a Navy Brat, I have lived all over Virginia for 12 years. Richmond, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Fairfax and Annandale. I can tell you that the winters suck the big one in VA, yeah they say it snowed 8 inches but the snow drifts are four feet up against your garage door. The summers are nice but humid. Love the beaches and Busch Garden in Williamsburg (Friggin Oktoberfest in little Germany with those huge honking beer mugs and braut dogs are the best) if you have kids they will love Kings Dominion (Hanna Barbara). VA has far more better stuff to do and Wash DC is close by (Simthsonian is a must visit). Way more stuff to do back east, but the weather sucks. Eat as much mexican food as you can before you move, cause back east, their version of Mexican is Taco Bell.