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While you’re looking around, keep this in mind: In Texas and many other Southern states, a $50,000 job will get you the same buying power, take home pay after taxes and standard of living as a $100-150,000 job in California.

I'm sorry, but I have to correct you on that. I've lived in both states. I don't know where you get your data and feel free to provide it. Here's mine: Unless one live's in one of the huge population areas along the coast, house prices are comparable to Texas. At least now - that prices have dropped here and remained stable there over the last 7 years. And our property taxes are capped at 1% - we paid over 3% in Corpus, rising every year. All in all, we paid more in taxes in Texas than in California (because of the confiscatory property taxes). Add hurricane insurance and we paid more to live in Texas, while making substantially less. The myth about states without income tax is just that - they more than make up for it in property taxes. I was sadly shocked when we moved there! At least, TX and FL are that way. NV and Alaska don't, so those are tax-friendly states.

I've looked at KY extensively and I buy what you're saying there;) The property taxes are reasonable and the state income tax is about 2/3rds of what CA's is. I'm more than willing to take a lesser standard of living for the right area, don't get me wrong. It's not all about money! Thinking about Oklahoma, because they've been solidly conservative in most past elections and have managed to pass a solid anti-illegal bill that hasn't been bashed in the courts. And an anti-Sharia law bill as well. Have no idea how they get away with it while other states get reamed. Still hot, tornados and the insurance from that to deal with, but I like their politics enough to deal with it all.

Thanks for the idea. There are some nice, inexpensive states out there - but don't have the jobs to go with it either;) I think that Texas booming also means politicians have their hands out too. Sad to say. Any power plants planned in the pretty area going towards the Arkansas border, that you know of?