I've spent all but about 15 days of my life within the state of Texas. I'm as Texan as it gets. But it's not the state it once was, nor has it ever been the state that many have heard of it to be. It's still one of the better states to call home but it's not the free, outlaw-state-of-mind place that many think.
I wouldn't mind checking out other places to retire. TN, WV, MT, WY, ID, UT, CO, NM are in the running. Even though this summer has been a cupcake compared to most, the cumulative affect of 40+ summers has taken it's toll and I was in heaven this past winter when we had our big freeze. I spend some time on Zillow looking at land for sale and have it in my head that I could buy a few hundred acres in the mountains of NM, move the entire family out there and run a G3 a few days/wk while also ranching, raising cattle, chickens, pigs, restoring old FJ40s, you know, all that easy stuff!!! NM because it's still high enough elevation to beat the brutal summer heat but also won't have 7-8 months of winter.
