Are you putting racists, and constitutionalists into the same category? Wow, better read up on the differences. However, I didn't say ID has constitutionalists, I said they had people who believe in the US Constitution.
I take it you don't?
Back on subject....
Beware of those "best places to retire" articles. Many are based solely on tax structure, and don't include fees, housing costs, and what is is like to live in that state. I agree AK is "usually" the first to be noted, but when adding in cost of living it drops. WY is also number 2 in many articles, but again fees and cost of living can kill you in some parts of the state; and the saying around here is ID is windy, but WY just blows all the time. Something a life long WY resident once told me.
Also, some states may show a fairly high income tax rate (heck ID is around 7.4% and higher than UT or MI), but again, take into consideration the deduction on incomes taxes (if the state has one) for those over 62-65 years of age and/or retired and whether or not social security is taxed at a regular income level, reduced due to age, or just not taxed at all (same for you with the military pay).
Also some states like TN, that effectively have NO Income taxes and may of the articles will state it is a great place to live; however, if the retiree pulls in a lot of dividend and interest payments vs. retirement benefits or SS; the state taxes them per the Hall Income Tax of TN. It is 6%. And many of these articles do not mention that, even though a lot or retirees received large amounts of dividends or interest to live on.
Then, there might also be other mitigating factors to help make a decision; but don't rely on articles, do deeper research.
For example in this article, they show UT one step ahead of ID, but primarily due to healthcare, taxes and weather. ID does have colder weather and more snow on average than UT. UT's income tax is lower than ID; it's a flat 5%, but they tax a senior (including SS) at almost the full flat tax rate (small deduction for over 65); whereas in ID, being a senior and taking all the SS off your tax sheet drops a person down to an actually lower tax rate than in UT; considerably lower.
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/retirement/best-places-retire-how-state-ranks.aspx
And they say UT has better healthcare; that is true in some areas. If you live in the Salt Lake City area, you have great healthcare facilities, great hospitals etc. Boise, Idaho Falls and Pocatello have some very good hospitals, as good as many in SLC, but not as good as the two or three major hospitals in SLC; no denying that. However, looking at Moab where I lived, there was one option for healthcare and it was not known as a great place. You only hoped that they would airlift you to Grand Junction to a decent hospital in time for you to still be breathing when you arrived.:giggle:
So it is not just the state you have to check out, it is the area within the state.
When I did this, I had a 10 page spreadsheet that included all taxes; income (as figured on an estimated income including retirement and SS); property; sales, and other taxes. Also any possible fees (plates, registration...vehicle, trailer, etc.). Also cost of living such as housing costs, possible repair costs, water/garbage pickup etc.
Healthcare facilities nearby, gun laws, and tons of other info.
Took me six months to decide on ID. With two people, you and your wife it might take longer. For me it was just my decision alone.
