Have you given any thought to the Black Hills of western South Dakota? Very conservative area, lower crime rate, less populated and lower cost of living than Colorado. Lots of retired military here. The winters are not as brutal as many think. But, we do have a definite four seasons. Lots of hunting (deer, elk, antelope, mountain lion, wild turkey) and fishing (mostly trout)........and skiing at Terry Peak near Deadwood (gambling there, too) Good airport in Rapid City, with multiple daily flights to Denver, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Chicago and Las Vegas. We have fantastic medical facilities, great shopping (two new big malls being built), good restaurants, and lots of cultural events.
If I didn’t live here, I would move here.
Oh, we also have Mount Rushmore.
You forgot to mention Sturgis and the tourists.
Rapid City, SD? A little chilly in the winter but a lovely area.