I live in Vegas, where its cold for 3 months (lows of like 30 but mostly 50-60 during the day), 3 months of HOT in summer (over 100), and the remaining 6 months its very pleasant.

I have an underground basement which amazingly enough stays about 68 in winter by itself, and below 85 in summer. Its a great idea if you are moving to tough climate. The ground stays a pretty constant temperature. Given the potential collapse of our economy when the collectivism takes its toll (like Venezuela), one should be mindful of how to live without a lot of need for outside utilities.

Yeah, I've been doing that here. But, they're keying in on the children here and I won't play ball with that.

I grew up in MI, lived here, and have a summer place in TN.
TN has the cheapest of all 3 in every way.

In MI, my dad spends $100+ on ELECTRIC during the winter and $100+ on GAS during the winter!

It aint cheap. Long winters drain him.

In FL, we we are at 62 degrees today. We have AWESOME weather from Oct 15th through Apr 30th.

From June - Sep 15th it is ROUGH and HOT. But I work in front of a PC in A/C, and EVERY place I go has A/C.
(I usually spend those months in the Mountains of TN. When we do, the electric bill here is like $65/mo, LOL)

Our average electric bill is $140/month, lows BELOW 100 and highs at about $211 (recently because of a 20% rise in pricing).
We keep a constant 76 when we are here and 82 when we are not. It takes 36hrs for the house to properly cool off when we get back,
as EVERYTHING in the house is 82!

But it's easy to cool off... I am far more sensitive to the cold now (especially after losing 112 lbs)...
==

TN, btw, ranges from $49 -> $170 (worse month in winter) to keep the house heated to 62, or A/C to 76.
==

After a lifetime in MI, where you get 2-3 good months, and up to 9 bad months of weather... I will gladly take FL for the win.
The property taxes are a bit high, and ALL INSURANCE is through the roof.
Houses cost too much, but have to be made of Concrete Block and have $30,000 roofs for hurricane protection.

We were planning to retire to TN in a few years. We have changed our minds based on how cold the winters get, and how few services are available near us. We will reserve that for when we are TRULY nearly dead.

It's where the cubans come to live, and the NY Jews come to die... LOL. (That's the one we hear the most)

Avoid Colorado. Our new governor is a socialist. We’re looking to get out.

So is arizona. Last election the dems kind of took over. Also, its location invites migrants.

As far as neighbors would be concerned, I think I would like people who were closer to the earth, as it were, who know what its like to work for a living.

California is a beautiful place to be sure, but the people there are essentially mostly BAD.

We should all consider the idea of 'hiding in plain sight". As long as you are below the radar, as it were, you can ignore a lot of leftism- especially as you get older.

Florida is the land of the newlywed and nearly dead . The nearly dead want to be left alone to live on their savings, social security, and medicare. Its also HOT and humid with horrendous electrical bills.

AZ is transitioning into a leftist haven. Watch out for that.

Nevada is overrun by california leftists, who, after milking goodies from california, are moving into Nevada to milk it in the future before IT goes BK.

AZ is turning leftist quickly though, especially in the last midterm election. Plus their state income tax is pretty steep, and its over run by hispanics from central america.

I think Colorado and Arizona are turning leftist, so I would be hesitant to go there. Plus they have state income taxes, so there is more government to contend with.

I live in Nevada, but its turning leftist also. At least there isnt a state income tax YET, but its been over run by leftists from California.

I think Utah might be a good place. The fear of being around mormons kept out the minorities to a substantial degree, which means its a more homogenous society. I think the mormons will leave you alone if you leave them alone. I think there is a state income tax though.

Florida has no income tax, as I think is the case for Wyoming and perhaps Texas. I figure the higher the taxes, the more collectivism there is.

Help insure your kids future and get out of the
$h it Hole the libs are turning the golden state into.

We loved a side trip we took to Prescott returning from Sedona to Carefree. I wanted to check out Lake Watson. Give me your email on a PM and I will share some terrific photos.

There are many retired California bureaucrats working in Arizona agencies.

If Carson City is too cold, then Flagstaff won't be any better.
Very Liberal in Flag though.

In Carson City visiting now. After a terrible February for snow, we thought winter was over two weeks ago. Then it snowed last night. Winter, go away.

My dream was to retire in Payson, AZ, and we took a couple of trips there to check it out. On our second trip, though, the sage was in full pollination mode; everything was covered in yellow. Despite having no known allergies before or since, we had to get out of there, we were so miserable. So be sure to really check the places out before committing to them. $.02

Many people I know have left here or are leaving in the next year. Many have gone to Idaho, and seem to really like it. Some have gone to Texas.

Like rats leaving a sinking ship now. One lady friend of mine who has 3 kids was boxing her stuff when we were yapping on the phone last night....Idaho. Good people, all these people. Good, honest, families. Can't take it here anymore...

My colleague here in the office is going to TX. Frankly...I'm not sold and would need to spend some time there to be sure. I know it's promising. I also noticed that it's in the crosshairs of the leftists. I like Florida.

Thanks. Yeah, we like Carson City area. I have a fondness for Washoe Valley...reminds me of Galt's Gulch along the west side...very pretty. I wanted to research WY more. I almost played football there in Laramie. But, the temp is too low for my wife.

Taking a trip to Oro Valley soon with my kids for research. Looks very promising. And...I can find work I love in Tuscon...unlike what's happened here in California.

Let's hope that none of the notions the brought down California and precipitated you decision to leave do not travel with you to Arizona. I'd be careful about Colorado as I believe they are following California's example.

Flagstaff is nice. I went to school there for one semester. It's up on the Mugion Rim, so you have some altitude and it gets snow in the winter. Colorado has also lost it's mind, so I wouldn't go there. Carson City is great. I loved Reno when I lived there and it was still the Biggest Little City in the World. Now it's pretty expensive. Fallon is a bit cheaper option, but you don't have the Sierras in your back yard there, just Top Gun. It also snows in Northern Nevada. Nevada has no state income tax which is a plus, as does Wyoming. I like Montana, no sales tax, but state income tax. Some areas even still have their brains in place. If you want to know about NW Montana you can ask me.

Where is Texas on your List?

FL could use some conservatives, and NO state income tax.

Same with TN.