Having lived in Tidewater and NOVA, Virginia has a lot to recommend it. You're within a days drive of mountains, beaches and some cool cities and other historical places. The Shenadoah valley is wonderful. I loved the weather in VA as well. The actually have 4 seasons, some snow each year, a few weeks of 90+ degree weather in the summer.
We've been in Nashville for 3 years, and I second the comments of the poster above. Nashville is a great place to live. The weather isn't as good as VA, but you're still close to some cool stuff. It's a lively, very friendly place and has a small town feel with big town conveniences. Check out Franklin or Spring Hill south of Nashville or Hendersonville or Sumner County for places Northeast of Nashville. A friend was working a case in Sumner County and said it's like Mayberry up there.
I don't know Knoxvlle or Chattanooga as well, but there are some places around those towns that are very nice. You're right there at the foothills of the Smokies and can still get some space for a good price. Airports aren't as big and won't have the cheaper flights or flight selection, though.