I don't think Alaska is for me, and I
know it isn't for my wife!

Cathy is from NJ and lived most of her life close to NYC. She's a Foodie and gourmet cook, and likes shows and the arts (unfortunately, not the "art of model railroading" though she does support my interest). I don't think "moose" is on her list of gourmet delicacies. hehehe
NV, and especially the Las Vegas area, has the fine restaurants and shows that will keep her happy, and the dark skies and nearby open spaces that will keep me happy, as well as no income tax and a lower cost of living which will keep us both happy.

I can deal with heat better than I can deal with lots of rain, so WA and OR are out. I don't like humidity, so FL and TX are out. And I don't like snow, so SD and WY are out (picky ain't I?). Besides, there seems to be a good amount of live steam in Vegas, both #1 gauge and ride-on, and my boilermaker is moving there today or tomorrow to set up shop with another guy, so that takes care of my other love. Finally, houses are dirt cheap there right now.
California, and especially the Bay Area, have unsurpassed weather to be sure, but I've long ago become disillusioned with, and lost my love for, this state, mostly for political and tax reasons which I won't go into on MLS, and also for the overcrowding here and the high cost of living. There are a few things I will miss (like the Train Shop), but overall, I think Cathy and I could be very happy in the Vegas burbs. We already have friends living there.

Buy a house and invest in solar power to run the air conditioner and keep the energy bill down - fat city!