1) I do NOT use the C-{x,c,v} bindings. They're stupid and inconvenient,
and aren't even CUA keys, despite the widespread misconception.

2) I do use, however, the actual CUA clipboard keys, that is C-<insert>,
S-<insert>, S-<delete>, for a variety of reasons, like the fact I can use
the same keys in just about every other GUI programme (and a couple of
non-GUI ones), and that it's the most convenient bindings set, much less
straining than any of the alternatives.

3) A must-try is CUA-mode's visual rectangle mark support. It's
absolutely rocktastic, and has truckloads of goodies. Read the docs!

4) For best results, inform CUA-mode about additional movement commands
you want to be treated the same as the standard ones (ie. mark with Shift,
deactivate mark otherwise). For instance:

(put 'c-backward-into-nomenclature 'CUA 'move)
(put 'c-forward-into-nomenclature 'CUA 'move)

5) Default keybindings of paredit conflict with those of CUA-mode, you
need to put some code in your .emacs to agree them. For me the list
is somewhat longer, as I have other commands I don't want paredit to
remap, in particular, I have sexp navigation bound to C-A-cursors. I
have commented out keys that aren't directly used by CUA:

========================BEGIN SNIPPET===============================

(defun check-region-parens ()
  "Check if parentheses in the region are balanced. Signals a
scan-error if not."
  (interactive)
  (save-restriction
    (save-excursion
    (let ((deactivate-mark nil))
      (condition-case c
          (progn
            (narrow-to-region (region-beginning) (region-end))
            (goto-char (point-min))
            (while (/= 0 (- (point)
                            (forward-list))))
            t)
        (scan-error (signal 'scan-error '("Region parentheses not balanced"))))))))

(defun paredit-backward-maybe-delete-region ()
  (interactive)
  (if mark-active
      (progn
        (check-region-parens)
        (cua-delete-region))
    (paredit-backward-delete)))

(defun paredit-forward-maybe-delete-region ()
  (interactive)
  (if mark-active
      (progn
        (check-region-parens)
        (cua-delete-region))
    (paredit-forward-delete)))

;; Change the path to where you have paredit.el
(load-file "~/elisp/paredit.el")
;; Unbind some of the keys paredit binds by default that conflict with CUA
(eval-after-load "~/elisp/paredit.el"
  '(let ((map paredit-mode-map))
     (mapcar (lambda (key)
               (define-key map (read-kbd-macro key) nil))
             (list
              ;; Choose which of standard paredit keys you don't want to bind
;;              "C-M-p"
;;              "C-M-n"
;;              "M-<up>"
;;              "M-<down>"
              "C-<right>"
              "C-<left>"
;;              "C-M-<left>"
;;              "C-M-<right>"))
     ;; Make <backspace> and <delete> delete region in paredit-mode too.
     ;; You can only delete balanced regions, however.
     (define-key map (read-kbd-macro "<delete>") 'paredit-forward-maybe-delete-region)
     (define-key map (read-kbd-macro "DEL") 'paredit-backward-maybe-delete-region)))

==========================END SNIPPET================================

I'd also recommend windmove.el, a package that allows directional
window switching instead of C-x o. It's a must-have for any kind of
efficient window navigation in Emacs.