Hey, @dandays.

I did ask. :)

Thank you for the detailed answer.

There's a lot to unpack here, and I'm not even sure where to go with it. I haven't made it off the North American Continent yet, with a very brief jaunt to Vancouver, BC and multiple extensive trips to various parts of Mexico. The former, from that glimpse 25-ish years ago was like here. The latter not so much. I've always considered Mexico to be about 20-30 years behind the times, at least socially, though I think they've been catching up as late. Regardless, the last time I was there, I was still using an internet cafe because we were staying with my wife's extended family. But that's been quite a while, too.

So, now that I understand more of what you're referring, too, and yes, I do get the expensive part (I've been actively looking for a downgrade in the cost of living for years), the question becomes, where to go.

You two have been in a lot of places, some of which I'm not inclined to go. I used to think Mexico was the answer but I've discovered that personal security has become more and more important to me with the advancement of age (can't run away as fast or fight my way out as well anymore).

Oregon does happen to be one of the most expensive places to live now, in virtually every aspect. I guess energy costs (electric, natural gas, water) are relatively low compared to other places, but everything else is pretty high. Not California, Hawaii or downtown Manhattan high, but way more than it should be, given what the majority of us are able to make here.

Being sandwiched in between Washington and California has not helped in that regard.

I've not had a run-in with the police other than being stopped for some traffic violation. None of those have led to any kind of search or seizure, so I don't know what that's like. I can't think of any other circumstance, and certainly not within recent memory, where I asked an officer for any information otherwise.

I've looked into Tennessee quite a bit. Still more research to do. I like the idea that they phased out state income tax. Even so, the property taxes seem to be lower still, though there is a sales tax, which is one of the few things I admit to be spoiled not having here. Believe me, state income taxes and county property taxes well then make up for it, mainly because I can't escape it.

I guess I could avoid state taxes if I didn't make any money, and my wife didn't, but that seems to bring on a whole other set of issues and problems to navigate through. Not really interested in going down that road.

My Dad lives about 45 minutes down the road. He turns 80 next year. My Mom passed away earlier this year, so he's living alone in the home I spent most of my public school years in. I don't think he's planning on moving anywhere at this stage. I have two younger sisters living in Oregon and similarly close.

I don't see them a whole lot, especially now, but I've spent most of my life in proximity to them, just in case, I guess.

Moving most places would more or less put us out there on our own.

Our youngest son and his wife live in South Carolina, but having just moved them there four months ago, I don't think I want that kind of humidity in my life. Or potential for hurricanes. Or the southern lifestyle, at least not to that degree.

In fact, the only weather that does seem to agree with me is Southern California and Hawaii. HIVE needs to hit LiteCoin like numbers to make either one of those feasible at this stage of life.

I've looked into Texas, Florida, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico. I'm most convinced with Florida, but while it's cost of living is surprisingly less than Oregon's in most cases, it brings a greater problem in potential population density, one of the reasons why we left SoCal after living down there for close to five years.

So, anyway. I think it's good to see how others live. I also think, as you found and noted in some posts of your travels, that not every place is what it appears to be on the surface. You don't find out a lot about a place and people until your living there, and in some cases, it doesn't happen unless you're trying to work and live your life there for an indefinite period of time.

I've felt fortunate that we've been able to make financial moves that gave us relative security as far as the neighborhood and crime goes, as well as some level of affordability.

But with taxes, regulations, and the recent takeovers of virtually every aspect of life with COVID-19 as the excuse, I think I'm finally where I need to be to get out of here. Eventually.

My wife, though, doesn't seem to be so concerned with it all, though it is painful to pay the property taxes. That she does not like. And she certainly wouldn't mind a warmer, sunnier clime. It's just finding the place that isn't overrun with more than its fair share of crazy people, or where it never rains. :)