Alaska would be the perfect Israel in many respects. Considerably colder though, but we have that unique position of being literally “far and away” to discourage illegal immigrants, our neighbor is of course Canada but that part of Canada is even more sparsely populated.
Much to the dismay of my many family members still living in the lower 48 I adamantly refuse to leave here even for travel, my last vacation outside was in 2004, its just too complicated and unsure outside this state.
Sure we have our issues, but we handle them WITHOUT federal interaction. Not many live up here on welfare, some do of course but a very very small fraction, we are used to seasonal work, my job is usually only 8 months a year, matter of fact I have been off work just staying at home since dec. 12th, I go back to work monday driving a concrete mixer.
Financially its a squeeze but from mistakes learned I set aside money in the fall to get me every winter, just like this one, we all do. Alaska isn’t the best place to live for most but to some its the best place to be when the rest of the country is tearing itself apart.
I have literally begged my husband for years to move to Alaska. His only reason for refusing is the cold.
He’s originally from E. Texas and grew up in a very small town with the exact type of people you describe. He’d prefer to move back there - to me it’s WAY too hot!!!
I kid him I’ll just move to Alaska and he can come visit during the summer :-)