I’m 67 years old and have been all over the US. Because I’m a patriot, I would not even consider living anywhere else. I lived in Texas about 30 years and finally had enough. Texas is too hot, to cold, too many bugs, and too much wind. Don’t even get me started on the Fire Ants! The worst thing about Texas is the 2.5% property taxes! The best thing about Texas is the people. Unfortunately, they didn’t pay my property taxes.
If you really want freedom, a location where property taxes are low (1.025%) and the weather is great most of the year; the Inland Empire of Southern California fills the bill. Yes, it gets hot in the summer up to 105 degrees where I live, but it is a dry heat. The cities of Murrieta, Temecula, Wildomar, and Lake Elsinore have some of the best weather and least smog in the Inland Empire. And, most of the people here are Republicans. Home values are going up fast so don’t wait too long…
To be free in California and anywhere else don’t get caught up in the subdivisions with associations and stay away from condos. Buy in an older area subdivision with a low tax rate and you will do best. In California by law, when you buy a house your property taxes can only go up 2% a year! I doesn’t matter how much the home appreciates. If it depreciates, they will cut your taxes for awhile and then raise them back when it recovers.
The property tax percentage may be lower but the property valued way higher; of course I lived in the bay area so higher there than in valley.
Everything else is higher too, and the gun laws are not friendly.