New Hampshire is still a desirable place to live but they are being invaded by the "Human Plague," that is... Massholes.
Unless there is a drastic change, NH will become like Massachusetts lite. I could go into specifics but I am sure you are aware of them. My godparents lived in NH and my Father used to own cottages up there and I can tell you the whole place has changed dramatically, and not for the better.
I meet Liberals from New Hampshire all the time and I cant say I met one from up there before 1992. All anecdotal of course.
Florida is also being invaded by the dreaded "Human Plague" but since most of them are old cheapos from up here, they dont do as much damage as you would think. When I lived near Jacksonville, Florida was a beacon for the GOP, now it seems like it is a toss-up. It is truly sad because I loved Northern Florida. After Mass, I could not believe the freedom I had when I lived there.
So, where would I want to go if I had my choice? I would have to say Wyoming. I am not a country boy and I do like being near some sort of city, but from where I sit, most of these areas have gone insane.
As for the comments on Vermont... it IS a nice place and it does have great gun laws BUT a lot of whackos have moved up there and are turning it into another la la land. If the whackos gain numbers, you can bet that the gun laws wont be so great. It will take time but like I said, if they have the numbers, they will change them.
Thats about it. :D
Like you, I have too many ties to the east coast, so would have stay on the right coastal area. Probably among my biggest factors is politics, economy, guns and weather; the weather and seasons here suit me.
I know whackos are invading the northern NE states, but not all of them are from Mass. and others will attest that whackos are proliferating all over.
Maybe I can tolerate it because I've lived here all my life. God knows the leftists drive me crazy but I do my part as a Republican. Pubbies like us in liberal states are fighting on the front lines and I'm still saying we could use some backup here.