“Looks like this is the route I will be headed for any number of reasons. But what a sea change in this country when so many people can not afford to retire in the their own country.”
My Mom retired in Arkansas after working there for Lockheed. I had never been there and wound up loving it. It’s a welcoming, laid back place that would actually favor retirees because real estate and such is cheaper (I’m talking about Camden/Chidester, for ex.). I was also shocked that their doctor network was excellent. Some things had to be done elsewhere, but it was all handled well. My stepdad has stage 4 prostate cancer and using up to minute treatments they’ve stopped it and my Stepdad’s back on the river boating (after having had a hard period).
I mention this because I believe there must be many places in America where someone could “expat” from the big city government nitwits. Small towns can’t do monolithic things here anymore than they can abroad, so the same community aspect around keeping it together exists here, too.
There are any number of depopulating third tier cities and towns scattered across the country with decent climate, good soil, low crime and low cost of living that could become retirement meccas. Trouble is, once they do the cost of living goes up and the primary motivation for going there, goes away. So, pick one and keep yer mouth shut, lol.
Went to college in the Land of Opportunity and can recommend it highly. The northern part of the state is beautiful and the cost of living is very, very affordable. On the list of places I’m thinking about retiring to when I hang it up in 10 years, along with Tennessee and Mississippi.
The only downside to living in a place like Arkansas is that too many Yankees are discovering it as well. They move there, driving up property values and bring along their liberalism as well. Not that I expect Arkansas or Tennessee to turn blue anytime soon but the second Yankee invasion continues unabated.