When you'll be returning is probably important; the economy sucks everywhere right now, so you really can't what the best place is until closer to your return date.
Don't completely rule out California. Lots of sunny days, temperate climate, and lots of great bicycling opportunities. Its going through some tough times right now (including a lot of school districts laying off teachers), but it should get better in the future. There are places you want to stay away from like the big 'megalopolises' (Los Angeles, where I live), but there's lots of other interesting communities throughut the state that'll fit you requirements.