Relocation with shooting in mind...
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Garandimal
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There is a reason they call it the Great State of Louisiana...
GR
GR
2ndtimer
Member
State income tax, applies to social security and pension income, along with taxable withdrawals from IRA or 401-K accounts. Wyoming has no state income tax, and I believe Idaho exempts social security benefits.
CapnMac
Member
Plenty of good ideas here.
Give a thought to central Tennessee, too.
If you want access to public lands, you are pretty much limited to west of the MIssissippi.
Give a thought to central Tennessee, too.
If you want access to public lands, you are pretty much limited to west of the MIssissippi.
South Dakota is a friendly place full of shooters, fishers and outdoor sports buffs, but any location will be a compromise. We have no income tax but lack some amenities and snow happens.
westernrover
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AZ is not all blistering heat. The Flagstaff area is up in the southern Rockies, or at least their foothills. The climate is quite different.
Nevada is bipolar, but I can't think of anything particularly restrictive about it yet. Idaho is going the exact same way.
I can't say I know much about anything to the east. But just browsing this shows there are a lot of places that are amenable to most gun rights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_by_state
Nevada is bipolar, but I can't think of anything particularly restrictive about it yet. Idaho is going the exact same way.
I can't say I know much about anything to the east. But just browsing this shows there are a lot of places that are amenable to most gun rights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_by_state
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AZAndy
Member
Not all of Arizona has "crazy heat." There are several fair-sized towns above 5200 feet-- the Prescott tri-city area, Flagstaff, and Show Low, for example. We've already had three decent snows this winter where I live. AZ is very gun-friendly, and there are lots of wide-open spaces to explore.
RETG
Member
If you don't need a job, eastern Idaho is actually great place to live. I've lived here for four years, retired on a US government pension and in 2018 paid 0 income taxes to the state. No one bothers me. Where I live, land is expensive but over in the snake river plain, Pocetello north to Idaho Falls, land is less expensive.
But it will snow...
Regardless, DO NOT move on what others say. Take your time and research everything that is needed in a relocation, and then narrow it down and spend time in that area; if possible try it all four seasons. It's expensive to move and relocate only to find out you end up hating where you moved to cause of what others say.
I originally retired to SE Utah. Loved the area, loved off-roading, loved that no one got in your business; but after six years, realized I missed the green and yea, the snow, of the northern climes. So spend a year researching and visiting, and moved here four years ago; and have never felt I did wrong.
Primarily look at taxes for those retired. Many states will tax social security, many will not and there are a lot of other loop holes for retirees in many states. UT was very expensive to live in as a retiree with decent income and social security (which they tax...or at least when I lived there).
So take your time, and only figure postings here are suggestions. RESEARCH and STUDY in PERSON.
But it will snow...
Regardless, DO NOT move on what others say. Take your time and research everything that is needed in a relocation, and then narrow it down and spend time in that area; if possible try it all four seasons. It's expensive to move and relocate only to find out you end up hating where you moved to cause of what others say.
I originally retired to SE Utah. Loved the area, loved off-roading, loved that no one got in your business; but after six years, realized I missed the green and yea, the snow, of the northern climes. So spend a year researching and visiting, and moved here four years ago; and have never felt I did wrong.
Primarily look at taxes for those retired. Many states will tax social security, many will not and there are a lot of other loop holes for retirees in many states. UT was very expensive to live in as a retiree with decent income and social security (which they tax...or at least when I lived there).
So take your time, and only figure postings here are suggestions. RESEARCH and STUDY in PERSON.
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earlthegoat2
Member
I was fan of eastern Kentucky when I lived there. Hilly for good backstops if you were going to set your own range up. Generally gun friendly politics.
I was a member of a range in Ashland that was $75 a year. I would be surprised if it still is but it was great 8 years ago.
Just stay away from Lexington and Louisville and even those places aren’t too bad. Just higher COL.
A lot of people will say there is a meth problem in that part of the country but I didn’t see it.
I was a member of a range in Ashland that was $75 a year. I would be surprised if it still is but it was great 8 years ago.
Just stay away from Lexington and Louisville and even those places aren’t too bad. Just higher COL.
A lot of people will say there is a meth problem in that part of the country but I didn’t see it.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
The NE Kansas rural landscape often reminds my wife of parts of PA. (she grew up in York) COL is not bad though the tax structure has me questioning that "Free State" motto on a regular basis...
There's a good VA hospital in Topeka and property in the counties within a 30-45 minute drive of there can be found. I live on a rural 10 acre piece and shoot out back.
This year we are having a Winter, cold and snow,last years was mild. The summers can be hot/humid/dry/cool. Fall is often pleasant and we get the color change in the woods which is nice. Spring weather can be... "interesting".
There's a good VA hospital in Topeka and property in the counties within a 30-45 minute drive of there can be found. I live on a rural 10 acre piece and shoot out back.
This year we are having a Winter, cold and snow,last years was mild. The summers can be hot/humid/dry/cool. Fall is often pleasant and we get the color change in the woods which is nice. Spring weather can be... "interesting".
George Dickel
Member
Lived in central Tennessee for 35 years before the wife wore me down to move to Florida. Mild winters, no state income tax, low property tax out side of the larger cities, property values are reasonable and electricity is cheap compared to other parts of the country. As long as you are friendly the people will be friendly. Down side is that sales tax is high to offset no income tax and the summers can be a bit warm and humid in July and August but you will acclimate. The best VA hospital in the state is located in Nashville and in Clarksville where I lived there is a new VA clinic that is well staffed. There are numerous places to shoot including state owned shooting ranges, you just have to network with other shooters to find places on private land. Tennessee is a very gun friendly state.
Thanks everyone; I'm enjoying reading your replies and learning. Anyone else, please add to the conversation. I'm also finding it very interesting as to how many of the suggestions here I have looked into before, and some areas mentioned I have lived in.
I have looked into SW PA (Bedford area) where I hunted as a kid, but the fracking situation all around the state has me unsettled. I lived in another SW PA area (Westmoreland Co) and maybe it was just coincidence, but as soon as fracking moved in, I had an incident where my well water went jet black. Have lived in a lot of homes with wells all over, and never saw this before. Even without the water situation, my Mum's old home was about 80 miles north in rural Beaver Co, and fracking has really changed the area... Lots of very heavy loud trucks, a mess of new pipelines, great areas I used to hunt all cut up with drill rigs, waste water issues, ect.
As for my mention of crazy AZ heat, I did refer to areas known for it, and I know well about Flagstaff and such, but man are prices for housing crazy, same with Moab UT (love that place), and it seems much of the West. My brother has lived in Gilbert for the last 30 years, and from what he tells me a lot of AZ is becoming very pricey, and I think it may be the No 1 moved to state this year, and its politics are changing. Yeah, I think the cooler, snowy areas of AZ are very nice, but when I see double-wide trailers going for way over $300k, I simply can't, won't do it. I know it's all relative, just not for me.
Nice to see folks from MI chiming in. I have a friend from Kalamazoo who has actively tried to get me to be MI newest resident! Going in I know you folks have the highest cost of vehicle insurance in the US, but other things are less. I have read of a W. MI coastal saying "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much", but I suppose that unwelcoming feeling is limited. I wonder how legal cannabis will change your state? I really don't care what folks do in their own homes as long as it does not hurt me/cost me $$$/infringe on my rights, so it will be interesting to see.
A huge issue I always look at first is healthcare, and I'm on Obama care... Was not so bad 6 years ago when I retired; now it is really starting to hurt even here where it's cost is a lot better than other places. I'm talking the same plans premium going up 100% IN ONE YEAR, with identical income numbers, and more out of pocket/deductibles! It is absolutely crazy.
Thanks again, and look forward to continued input.
I have looked into SW PA (Bedford area) where I hunted as a kid, but the fracking situation all around the state has me unsettled. I lived in another SW PA area (Westmoreland Co) and maybe it was just coincidence, but as soon as fracking moved in, I had an incident where my well water went jet black. Have lived in a lot of homes with wells all over, and never saw this before. Even without the water situation, my Mum's old home was about 80 miles north in rural Beaver Co, and fracking has really changed the area... Lots of very heavy loud trucks, a mess of new pipelines, great areas I used to hunt all cut up with drill rigs, waste water issues, ect.
As for my mention of crazy AZ heat, I did refer to areas known for it, and I know well about Flagstaff and such, but man are prices for housing crazy, same with Moab UT (love that place), and it seems much of the West. My brother has lived in Gilbert for the last 30 years, and from what he tells me a lot of AZ is becoming very pricey, and I think it may be the No 1 moved to state this year, and its politics are changing. Yeah, I think the cooler, snowy areas of AZ are very nice, but when I see double-wide trailers going for way over $300k, I simply can't, won't do it. I know it's all relative, just not for me.
Nice to see folks from MI chiming in. I have a friend from Kalamazoo who has actively tried to get me to be MI newest resident! Going in I know you folks have the highest cost of vehicle insurance in the US, but other things are less. I have read of a W. MI coastal saying "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much", but I suppose that unwelcoming feeling is limited. I wonder how legal cannabis will change your state? I really don't care what folks do in their own homes as long as it does not hurt me/cost me $$$/infringe on my rights, so it will be interesting to see.
A huge issue I always look at first is healthcare, and I'm on Obama care... Was not so bad 6 years ago when I retired; now it is really starting to hurt even here where it's cost is a lot better than other places. I'm talking the same plans premium going up 100% IN ONE YEAR, with identical income numbers, and more out of pocket/deductibles! It is absolutely crazy.
Thanks again, and look forward to continued input.
bbqreloader
Member
Well cross Colorado off that list. Been here since 75 and it's really in the toilet, house prices are way outta whack, drug culture is moving full steam ahead (now the pyshcadelliac mushroom whacks are trying to legalize it...medical meth is not to off in the future) The public voted down education and road funding. There may be some areas out in the middle of nowhere if you are the loner type. 2A rights aren't as bad as some states but getting close, already have Aurora Rep that got a 15 mag capacity limit passed a few years ago.
Wherever you decide to go, test the waters before jumping into the deep end. The first step is the kind of internet research you have done here. Second step, after you have identified a few good prospects, is to go there and stay long enough, anywhere from a week to a month, to ask questions in person. Finally, when you think you have found the best one, move there but don't make any commitments that are difficult to undo for at least a year. Buying real estate, instead of renting, is the biggest and most obvious example. You don't want to find yourself trapped in a new place that's no better than the old one, just different.
J-Bar
Member
The Ozarks; SW Missouri, SE Kansas, NE Oklahoma, NW Arkansas. Lowest cost of living in the US, gun friendly. Gas is 1.73 at Sam’s club today. We have all four seasons so you will need AC and a furnace, but my utilities bill is $175 a month for water, gas, sewer, and electricity combined. Went shooting today, it was 60 degrees.
JTHunter
Member
These are state-mandated sales taxes. Over the last 3 years, TN, LA and AR have had the three top spots, sometimes in rotation, but those 3 have always been in the top 3.
As for income taxes, both AZ and WY don't tax SS benefits and WY also does not have an income tax. Both are also OC but WY is only OC for "residents".
KansasSasquatch
Member
Meth isn't legal anywhere that I'm aware of, but medical amphetamines are legal across the U.S. if I'm not mistaken. As for home prices, I work with a guy that bought a $150k house in the Denver area 5-6 years ago. He sold it and moved to KC last year. I think he made $75k selling his old house. His new house is pretty dang nice.
Kansas and Missouri are about as gun friendly as you could ask for as far as RIGHTS are concerned. Things could definitely be better for public ranges. There's a lot of indoor ranges that are open to the public or have cheap/easy to obtain memberships. There's only a few outdoor public ranges that I'm aware of within an hour or so of Kansas City, and none of them go beyond 200yards. I know of a couple private ranges that go to 400 or so, but they aren't exactly easy to becomes members, and membershios aren't real cheap.
JTHunter
Member
Here is the income tax map from AARP. This may have changed a bit as it is from 2017.
Lyle Wyatt
Member
Relocated to Southwest Idaho 5 years ago, couldn't be happier with my choice.
loose noose
Member
If I were younger I would definitely consider UP Michigan, yes they have a lot of snow but the gun friendly part of the state at least in the UP are fantastic, and as far as the fishing you just can't beat it, and also the deer population has gone thru the roof. Yeh, I said if I were younger right now I'm here in Southern Nevada, and have all kinds of areas where I can go shooting, have my CCW. Do have a motor home so I can get out of the nasty heat we get every summer here for 5 months, the biggest drawback is I've accumulated so much property here in the past 10 years, it would take two semis to move me and my wife. From that last election I saw Las Vegas give us a very liberal Government in Carson City NV, so it looks like I'll have to see what happens here.
luzyfuerza
Member
We recently bought 40 acres in SW Utah, just 400 meters north of the Arizona border. We're building a house, and a series of ranges for pistols, carbines, clays, and short- and long-range rifle shooting on our own land.
Its close to national parks, and has incredible red rock views.
If my experience is any indication, there's still room for you in Utah!
Its close to national parks, and has incredible red rock views.
If my experience is any indication, there's still room for you in Utah!
kmw1954
Member
From Wisconsin.... Mixed bag.... Surrounded by water, Illinois and Minnesota. Since I no longer have to go out into it daily the snow and cold aren't so bothersome. Even though I do not enjoy the winter sports like skiing, snowmobiling or ice fishing. We refi'ed our home a few years ago before I went on full disability and got out rate way down to where now I can't afford to move because even rent would be more. Biggest plus for me is we have one of the top cardiac hospital in the nation, 80min. by car 15min by helicopter. Already timed it both ways! I'll be staying put.
As our OP demonstrates here, moving is about a lot more than shooting opportunities. It does trouble me to read about the parts of the country that we, who value outdoor privacy and freedom to shoot, are forced to withdraw to other areas of the country. I live in NE Kansas and have access to more shooting/hunting opportunities than I will use in my lifetime. I shoot almost as much as I like. My solution to all the weather issues is to live in different parts of the county at different times of the year. My wife and I rented a home in Sedona, AZ one winter. Plenty of places to shoot there both indoor and outdoor, plus wonderful winter weather.
coondogger
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Czechia is the most gun friendly of any European country.
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