I don't know how I missed your location - brain fart! Anyway, E/XCs are generally regarded as a better bike than M/XCs for East Coast riders, so that reinforces my original statement. And though I currently ride a KLX300, it's only because I got a really good deal on it. My next bike is an E/XC and I'm struggling between the 200 2-smoke and the 400 or 520 thumper.
Nothing wrong with a CR125 in the woods if you want to ride really aggressively. In fact a cool setup is a CR or YZ125 that has been bored to 144 or a little larger for more bottom end torque. A friend of mine who rides hare scrambles here in the senior class has a 200 E/XC and he calls it a 125 magnum -- once again KTM has done it all for you from the factory and you're ready to race. He says he can ride his 200 E/XC all day without getting tired since it's such a light, nicely suspended bike.
(Prior to this he had an XR400 -- said he was worn out after about an hour due to the extra weight. And before the XR400 he had an XR200, if that helps you get a feel for where he came from).