I've gifted my D7100, alongside a 35mm DX lens to my girlfriend.
For a few weeks I was debating on going FF, with something like a D750 or maybe even a D810, but finally decided against it.
Found a fantastic deal on a D7200 in pretty much mint condition, as the guy using it really took good care of camera. Even got a new original Nikon battery in the whole package.
The first lens that I got for it is another 35mm DX, as I loved using that lens on the D7100. It's probably one of the best DX lenses you can get (at least from all the lenses I've used).
Nice choice. The 7xxx bodies with their internal AF motor unlock a massive back catalog of lenses.
I have a soft spot for F-mount crop sensor bodies. I have a toe in the mirrorless FF world (dat autofocus), but have been hanging onto my D5300. It served me very well for years shoot landscapes, cityscapes, and motorsports.