The more southern states have shorter winters. Outside of immediate large cities, there are TONS of wide open spaces, natural water sources, ability to grow food, natural wildlife, fishing, etc.
Oklahoma has some great mountain ranges; perfect for hiding and hunting. Southern Texas is too hot in the summer; west Texas, you'd better have relatives, because country boys know how to survive but they also know how to shoot accurately.
Nebraska is wide open.
The hills in Kentucky and Tennessee are cultures unto themselves.
About the only major drawback is the relatively large black bear population in the area. The husband of one of my sister's coworkers was attacked by one last June and was fortunate that other bikers were able to beat it off of him.
In Western Tennessee, there are no hills to speak of, and that’s close to the New Madrid deal. The Navy map shows it under water if the New Madrid blows; winters there can be buggers, though maybe a bit shorter than northern winters.