Gold country appeals to me. Had an ex associate lived in that area.
We live in Butte County. Conservative. But Chico State will provide enough liberalism for you. Housing a bit tight as the town of Paradise burned to the ground. Two casinos for entertainment both musically as well as dining and gaming. Drop me a line for more information.
Supplemented my retirement income for several years up here with dredge gold mining, made several thousand a year until the asshats in Sacramento shut us down.
Still lots of gold in the creeks and streams, just getting to old to get it the hard way; shovel, pan, or highbanker.
I am thinking of metal detectors now, once a gold miner - always a gold miner.