My wife and I decided to settle in Arkansas. It might be worthy of consideration for some of you considering this subject. Here are some things to think about:
Pros:
-- Lots of outdoor opportunities. Lakes, rivers, hills, mountains, hunting, fishing, you name it.
-- Respectable and growing backcountry-ish aviation. RAF recently opened a strip in NW Arkansas. Lots of private strips whose owners have granted permission... see
https://airfield.guide/default.asp
-- Good cultural stuff when you need it in northwest and central Arkansas
-- Climate. Not much snow. Unlike where I lived in Texas, 10 gust 20 is not considered a calm day.
Cons:
-- It's Arkansas. Americans from the other 49 states sometimes assume certain negative stereotypes apply to Arkansans.
-- Taxes are higher than some neighboring states, but military retiree pensions are not taxed by the state
-- Climate. It's hot and humid in the summer.
My wife and I own a lot on a strip in Central Arkansas. Some people have put real nice houses along it. Others have real nice collections of junk. But, the front yard abuts the grass strip. Back yard abuts a stocked trout river. Pretty hard to find that combo elsewhere.