Not to turn this into an advice column but if you have inlaws, you probably have a spouse to consider as well. I don't see any mention of "we", just "I". Where does your spouse want to move? If you have or will have children, would you want to live near the inlaws/grandparents?

Charlotte is about as "southern" as Jacksonville. Also, Jax has no mountains. It's 6 hours to drive to the foothills in north Georgia. Jax also doesn't have much cold weather.

Baltimore doesn't seem to fit your criteria at all.

Charlotte would give you seasonal weather and proximity to beach and mountains. California would be the spot to have it all, all the time.

In this economy, you might search for a job before you commit to an area. You definitely need to do some traveling when you leave the Army to gain a better sense of what's available.

Good luck! Thank you for serving our Country.

Healthcare admin field is contracting as more and more hospitals form into larger groups to spread large fixed costs. A couple of friends of mine who were Chief Pharmacists (staffs of 80 and up) were combined out of existence. So be sure there are a number of institutions near whatever area you look at.

<i>More people moved to Oregon than any other state last year.</i>

That is almost certainly incorrect. And not by just a little, either.

http://www.census.gov/popest/data/st...012/index.html

As to the OP...

California is the obvious choice for geography. As noted, however, cost can be an issue.

If you can live with cold winters, Portland, Maine might be a good choice. Great beaches (cold water, though), beautiful nature. Moving south to Portsmouth, NH or Boston will see costs rise, but would still largely fit your criteria.