Quote Originally Posted by Lenusik

The key qualities we are looking for are:
1. Jobs - employers in area
2. Weather - Seattle's rain probably keep that from being on the good list, and Wyoming wind as well.
3. Bikable - roads available. Where ever we live our house MUST be situated such that we can ride out of garage door and get in a decent 20 mile ride. I have managed to manufacture that in Phoenix, as I have only two heavy trafficed miles to Pecos Road.
4. Good for raising kids. We're planning on kids in the next few years.
5. Air quality. IT's the reason I started this line of thought.
6. Overall livable, low crime rate, ample entertainment
7. Decent airport within 1 hour. I travel enough that this is a consideration. Consider however that I think Madison's airport is serviceable.
8. Outdoor and indoor (in case it is a cold area) tennis courts.

Other thoughts. I love rolling hills, trees and greenery and lakes. If our new community was near/in all of that. I think I would be in heaven.
Oh housing costs! Yeah, I suppose that helps a LOT! We're not looking to spend more than $300,000 on our next home. In fact, the closer to $200,000 it is, the happier I would be. (More money for the bike, you understand.)

Anyway, so the country is ours to discover, suggest an area we should consider moving to and why.
Look into Greenville, SC. Reasons:
1. Michelin headquarters and BMW plant are here; I think the employment front is pretty good.
2. Weather: cycling year-round, winter not too harsh, but definitely four seasons. I think people play tennis year-round, as well, and there are both indoor and outdoor courts.
3. I ride out of my driveway (north side of town) for rides of any length (20 to 65, generally). You can choose rolling, hillly, or you can find some big climbs (e.g. a six-mile climb up Caesar's Head). Not really any flat riding. George Hincapie (and others) rides from downtown out to those same routes, so that is possible, too. I can be really out in the country in under 15 miles. (I have to say, it's pretty cool to run into George out on the road. He's quite friendly.)
4. There are good public schools, but some are better than others. Verify before buying a house. Otherwise seems kid-friendly to me--there's a children's museum and theatre company--but I don't have children yet, either.
5. I'll have to check on the air quality, but my unofficial evaluation of it is "good". We don't generally talk about staying inside due to bad air.
6. High quality of life. Interesting and fun downtown that has been revived over the last 15 years. Peace Center for the Performing Arts brings in national and international performers. Atlanta is not too far away if you need a big-city fix (2 1/2 hours down I-85). Seems to have low crime rate.
7. Nice, smallish airport, Greenville-Spartanburg. Much nicer to fly in and out of than Atlanta, but often more expensive to do so.

Other: G'ville is at the foot of the mountains, close to Asheville, NC (1 1/2 hour) and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Only about 4 hours from Charleston, SC, which is beautiful, and the beaches there. Large, active cycling community that is growing. Housing is reasonable, I believe. Our brick 3 BR/3 BA ranch in an older neighborhood (the house was built around 1970) with lots of trees was around $150,000 three years ago, but I wouldn't stay in this neighborhood if we had children older than elementary-school age. There are some nice lakes close by. The only downside, for me, is the conservative nature of most residents. I work at a university with other like-minded (read: liberal) people, so I can tolerate it.

I just talked myself into staying here for quite a while! Based on your requirements, I think you should check it out. In fact, you could sign up for the Assault on Marion in May, see what the riding is like.