I am looking to move my family out of California and into a more sane region of the United States.
Aside from the obvious stress of leaving families behind we are discovering that the perfect destination is neither quick nor simple to identify. Mrs. Ransom and I have hacked together a list of important considerations we have identified. We have ordered the book "Strategic Relocation" but it has not yet arrived.
Can you add any useful items or categories to these lists?
Obviously, everyone else in America is having the same thoughts as we are so we can't expect everything we want but that's okay. Almost anything will be better than being trapped in California when the plug gets pulled.
Must Have in Area
Hospitals / health care
Industries & businesses
Regional food production
Local water sources
Strong white demographics (minimal racial tensions in hard times)
Robust internet access
Big box stores such as Costco or Walmart
Local farmers market(s)
City somewhat nearby
Good gun laws
Decent cost of living
Desirable to Have in Area
Local homeschool groups / co-ops, indicate mindset
Multiple conservative churches
Long-term power generation in region
Local permaculture / gardening groups
High water table
Rainfall through year
Fireplace permissible
Regional airport
Must Not Have in Area
Failed industries (e.g. logging, mining)
Dependent on oil industry (boom bust cycles, drug use, few families, vulnerable to Green New Deal type legislation)
In jurisdictions politically / economically / socially anchored to big bad zones (e.g. Nevada is aligned to California due to CA exodus)
Undesirable in Area
High disability / unemployment rate in area
Strong LDS or Amish presence (factional conflict if things get bad)
Prisons / jails
Tornados / hurricanes / hail / extreme weather
Frequent wildfires
Must Have for Property
Walkable / playable
Unincorporated area / outside city limits
Insolation for solar
Well
Septic
Neighborhood with younger children
Desirable for Property
Land
Multiple houses / granny unit for renting / visiting
Room for gun range
Must Not Have for Property
Inside city limits
Trash neighbors
Near Section 8 or other high density housing
HOA
Local drug use
Undesirable for Property
Isolated
Needs repair
Can't use guns
Sources for Data
Friends & acquaintances
Look up & contact local churches
Public records websites (for neighbors)
Crime rate stats / crime maps
District / county voting information from 2020 election
https://www.census.gov/data.html
Permies.com
Local permaculture / gardening groups
Google Street View
Sex offender lists
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