Surprised nobody has mentioned my favorite part of Virginia. The Colonial Williamsburg area. It has everything. Culture, recreational opportunities, good 4-season weather, close enough to the ocean, good churches, friendly people, a great history, good educational opportunties. Summers are a bit hot & oppressive, but that's what A/C is for.
But there are many parts of the state that I've visited, travelled to on business, and thoroughly enjoyed. The NOVA area is not really Virginia, in any other way than legally. Most Virginians got the hell out a long time ago.