I’m seeking to retire to a libertarian-minded city with no (or very, very low) income tax, low property tax, low sales tax, low home and car insurance rates, no vehicle inspection and emissions tests, constitutional carry, and where I can “live and let live.” Any places you can suggest?
Thanks!
U.
Hi U,
To answer your question, I went right to the source: the Libertarian Party itself, where I had a lively chat with Dan Fishman, the party’s executive director, who had a lot of great advice for you. He said that while the Libertarian Party doesn’t maintain a list of the most libertarian cities and towns in America, there are certain states known to be more libertarian-friendly in many ways: New Hampshire — with its motto “Life Free or Die” — being the most obvious one, but also some spots in the mountainous western U.S., as well as parts of Texas.
That said, U, you probably won’t get all of the items on your libertarian checklist, but you can get many. To make my list of suggestions, I first looked at the states that seemed the most libertarian-friendly, based on Fishman’s advice and an assessment of the tax and gun laws. Then I looked at where in those states retirees might love. Here are some suggestions.
Cheyenne, Wyoming
iStockThe state of Wyoming is a solid spot for libertarians to consider retiring, thanks to its wide open spaces (you can “live and let live” here), lower tax climate for retirees (the state has no income tax and low sales and property tax) and its gun-friendly environment: It’s one of the 10 best states for gun owners, according to Guns & Ammo magazine and there is “no statewide emissions inspection requirement,” according to AAA.
Fishman mentioned Cheyenne in particular as an interesting place to consider retiring (though he adds that it is chilly), as it offers that Wyoming spirit but also has retiree-friendly amenities like a regional hospital and airport. Many parts of Wyoming are so remote that a retiree with health issues or one who wants to travel might struggle. “What makes Cheyenne most appealing to residents,…is the real spirit of the West: low-rise buildings, wide-open spaces, tumbleweeds,” writes AARP, which put Cheyenne on its most affordable places to retire list.
And Kiplinger’s put this town on its 2019 best places to retire list, noting that the state will appeal to “loner types” and Cheyenne itself offers a ton of perks: “Train aficionados can enjoy the area’s railroad history and displays of locomotives, including the world’s largest steam engine…Another big local attraction: Every summer since 1897, Cheyenne hosts the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration, Frontier Days, now a 10-day event. You also have plenty of outdoor diversions, such as miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding; fishing and boating; and birding and other wildlife viewing.” Added bonus: the cost of living here is cheaper than average, according to Sperling’s Best Places.
Keene and Laconia, New Hampshire
iStockThe state of New Hampshire is probably the best known of the libertarian-minded states (that’s why I picked two spots here): Not only because of its state motto, it’s the home of the Free State Project, which bills itself as “a movement of thousands of freedom-loving people to New Hampshire, where we are working to reduce the size and scope of government in order to achieve Liberty in Our Lifetime.” In other words, you’ll be around like-minded folks in this state, which is why we wanted to include it. The tax situation, though, is mixed: New Hampshire has no income tax on salaries and wages and no sales tax, though it does tax dividends and interest, and property taxes can be high. It scores decently on gun-friendliness, according to Guns & Ammo magazine, and highly on health care, which is obviously good for retirees. (You can find the vehicle emissions rules here.)
So where do you pick among the choices in New Hampshire? Many cities are worth consideration here, with Fishman highlighting Keene as a spot to consider. He highlights the following controversy to illustrate the libertarian-mindedness of Keene: In 2018, a Pho restaurant that was in the same building as City Hall wanted to call itself Pho Keene Great (say it out loud if you don’t get the joke); the city at first wasn’t having it, but residents voted to allow it — and not to worry, libertarians, it was approved last year. Keene — a little college town — offers “a charming downtown Main Street teeming with shops, restaurants, a retro movie theater, and the quintessential New England white clapboard church,” writes New England Today Travel. It also boasts a lower than average cost of living, and median homes can be had for less than $200,000.
Laconia is also worth a look: It landed on Kiplinger’s list of the best places to retire in the Northeast, and for someone who wants to be near the water, it works. “Tucked between Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam Lake, Laconia has been dubbed ‘The City on the Lake,’ ‘home city to New Hampshire’s Lakes Region.’ That means plenty of beaches and water-related activities for you in the warmer months. Other outdoor recreation abounds nearby, too. Gunstock Mountain Resort in neighboring Gilford, for example, offers camping, ziplining and snow sports, as well as fairs, events and dining options,” Kiplinger writes of Laconia. Added perks: Laconia has a cost of living that’s below average and you can score the median home for about $200,000 — though winters are cold and crime is slightly elevated. (Kiplinger’s highlights safer neighborhoods here.)
Mesa, Arizona
iStockArizona is one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees, according to Kiplinger’s, in addition to being gun friendly (it ranks No. 1 on Guns & Ammo’s list). Though Fishman points out that Arizona residents aren’t keen on open borders, which many libertarians are. And unlike New Hampshire and Wyoming in most months, Arizona offers warm weather, which is a big reason it’s popular with retirees. (You can find the vehicle emissions rules here.)
I asked Annette Fuller, the editor of Where to Retire magazine, where a libertarian might like to retire in Arizona, and she noted that Maricopa County — home to Mesa — has an active Libertarian club https://lpmaricopa.org/about-mclp/. And Mesa itself has landed on many a best places to retire list, including her list of best biking towns.
Kiplinger’s, which recently put it on the “best places to retire for your health” list, notes that “Arizona is known for its sunshine and golf courses, and Mesa has plenty of both. But the city has much more to attract retirees, such as its proximity to top-rated hospitals, a cost of living that’s lower than the national average and a range of activities for lovers of nature, sports and the arts.”
Indeed, when you’re craving wide open spaces, you’re close to the Tonto National Forest (the fifth largest forest in the U.S.) and the Superstition Mountains; when you want a great meal, Mesa is known for its farm-to-table cuisine and even has a Fresh Foodie Trail, so you can sample the goods. The downsides: Summers are hot and some complain about the growth and sprawl of the city.
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Cost of living is a key factor as well as proximity to a major metro area (deadly in the collapse). If you are cold-tolerant the American Redoubt is worth considering…..Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Eastern WA/OR…..I could easily see being an autonomous country at some point, and probably merging with a big chunk of Canada. My little slice of heaven in southwest MT is however not cheap and is seeing a massive influx of folks with lots of home equity from the west coast…..fleeing tyranny.
If you are less cold-tolerant AZ is a great choice (well away from Phoenix though) as is the greater Ozarks area….though meth and “white trash” is a big problem….if you don’t pick up girls at Walmart and possess all your teeth, you won’t like Arkansas.
Florida is an overcrowded nightmare at this point and TX is getting overrun, they could all Virginia in the next 10-15 years easily.
I am sorry but New England while stunningly beautiful is not nearly as “free” as is often portrayed….Keene sucks and the skiing really sucks compared to the “cold smoke” we have here. You will be overrun in New England by the traveling hordes.
So if you are light on funds I would consider learning to live with white trash meth addicts as part of the scenery in the Ozarks…..you can minimize the interaction. If you a little more coin the Redoubt is a sure bet….remember there is no bad weather only inadequate clothing….we have people here who work/recreate everyday outside no matter how cold/snowy it is…..-25F in Feb is a certainty. Last year we had one day -45F…….200″ of snow in the foothills… and way more in the mountains, valley floors probably in the 125″ range for season snow totals.
Totally agree with you on the Ozarks, the good and the not so good.
Taxes and cost of living is relatively low in the rural area. But they do have this corrupt vehicle inspection. The inspection itself is not expensive but each and every inspector is making up his own rules. So one sometimes has to try a few, if you have an odd vehicle.
I would not like to live in a state with (high) property taxes and no sales tax. I much rather pay sales tax. The reason is simple: When I have little money to spend, I can cut back on buying stuff and thus reduce my sales tax expense along with it. Property taxes you are always stuck with no matter if you have the means to pay them or not. So if you live in a house with a high property tax on it and you happen to get tight financially you are in danger of loosing your home.
West Plains, MO is a small town in the Ozarks with lots of country around it to get lost, if one wants to. There is lots of water in the area. The town has only 12,000 people but three health food stores. And if you want doctors and hospitals, they are just now building a large expansion to the already well equipped hospital. There is also a paramedic helicopter stationed in town.
High Property taxes, no sales tax, NH it is.
“Florida is an overcrowded nightmare”? Really? And you know this living in MT?.. Seriously, there are parts of FL that are overcrowded, especially with liberals, but not the entire state. The rural areas are wonderful, we have no state income tax, and no one is seriously attempting to relieve us of our weapons protected by the 2nd amendment. I will sweat it out in Fl while you freeze your balls off in MT, cowboy. Anyday.
Sounds good. What about property taxes in Florida. How high are they?
5 acres house and barn 1400.00
Osteen Florida, I never saw so many Ron Paul supporters in my life until I went to Osteen , what nKit says is true.
Take a look at Ocala, FL. Ultra-affordable housing, no income tax, warm winters and not real hot Summers, lots of horses, and just an hour to Orlando or Kissimmee (Disneyworld), a little longer to Tampa. I had a business there once upon a time.
Ocala isn’t bad at all either, Osteen is a bit closer to the coast and rivers, so is Ocala for the rivers and lakes. Great golfing and fishing and no fucking state rip off taxes.
I guess crowded is a relative term…I was born there and was used to a certain rural lifestyle and now I don’t recognize the place, still have lots of hog hunting, fish frying extended family……when you go to a family reunion and there is not a single passenger vehicle there…well I am in the right place.
There’s a military recruiting station in Montana too! Dont you want to talk to them?
https://m.goarmy.com/locate-a-recruiter.m.html
You know the ones obsessed with trannies are likely trannies or wanna be’s……run along now little NPC BOT
Who said anything about trannies? Besides it’s a 404 Not Found. I was just reminding you that there is a military recruiting station near you because I just wanted to help you out man…… What, you’re not interested in fighting in Trumps war? Why not?
I’m liking Wyoming more and more. It could be a good alternative to Idaho.
Rawlins is the meth capital and Cheyenne has lots of CO influence….the SouthWest corner is awesome and unpopulated. Jackson is a playground for the rich and famous and super expensive. Cody is a good compromise though a bit touristy in the season.
Now WY people are bit more standoffish than say MT, I have spent lots of time in both and ended up going with MT for the skiing.
Why spend your leisure time skiing when you can shoot a bunch of mullahs free of charge on US taxpayers dollars? Join up GI Joey!
https://m.goarmy.com/locate-a-recruiter.m.html
The wind, dont move to Cheyenne if you dont love the wind.
Montana was, is and will always be a federal welfare state with plentiful union scum and retired federal employees. What happens when the federal teat runs dry may change it up. Wyoming, with the exception of Jackson, is more suitable. I’d rather die than live free in new hampshire. Florida, oy vey. Arizona, mucho messicans.
Why would a liberty minded person choose to live in an urban environment? Cities are fine for visiting, but as a place to live and raise a family? Bad choice.
The author is right though, New Hampshire is where it’s at for all the other considerations listed.
Both congress critters and senate critters socialist fucking moonbats. What gives?
I’m suspecting there is voter fraud afoot. Here in the Upper Valley the liberals are like cockroaches (thank you, Dartmouth), but most of the state seems to still be libertarian minded. During the 2016 presidential election a woman in front of me registered to vote with a foreign passport on election day!? WTF!?
True Dat. NH has plenty of pockets of reason and liberty… Property taxes vary widely from less than 1% to over 3%, so it pays to look at the local tax rates before choosing a place to secure yourself and family.
“New Hampshire is where it’s at”
that’s what the darkened horde lines of drift will say when the clock unwinds
Idaho is full. To move here you must first remove a brown person or 2 boomer Californians. Don’t care how you do it.
Funniest accurate comment of the day…deserves upvotes.
I love New Hampshire, I have lived there and even in its poor areas it is a nicer place with more beautiful scenery than most parts of Florida, where I now live, it is like a real nice Victorian house in a bad Detroit neighborhood, a beautiful home but the neighbors are what ruins it, especially the Massholes from Massatwoshits. I only took a few bush loads of them to come up to take advantage of the same day registration law to flip the state to Hitlery and elect Jean Sheehan to the US Senate, the potential exists for a slew of Massholes to Virginiaze the state and bye bye 2nd Amendment
Retiring is much more than taxes and other bad bills. What else do you want? I do not plan on sitting on the couch watching TV but getting outside and doing fun stuff like running, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, and other fun activities. If it was me I would pick Wyoming, you may want good hospitals and other comforts so pick Arizona. New Hampshire has many people from Massachusetts which is a problem for libertarians and their property taxes are high.
Antarctica seems like the only safe choice at the moment. But stay as far away from the government research stations as possible. 🙂
A company I used to work for asked me if I was interested in doing some time at McMurdo Ice Station.
Not only no, but hell no. Freezing to death wasn’t on my bucket list, so I went off to the desert to be shot at, rocketed, and mortared instead.
At times it was 110F in the shade working outside in the desert summer. Going into the A/C near 70F would get uncomfortable, so coming home for Christmas break was downright painful. When I came home for good it took me a couple years to get acclimated.
FWIW I have an electrical engineer friend who bit the bullet and spent several years in Antarctica. He says he is now financially “set for life”.
Living on the ice wall? The signatories to the Antarctica convention won’t allow it.
MrLiberty,
What do you think of a storming Antarctica movement? I’ve been pondering this for a few months, is it plausible? I mean that area 51 took off, why can’t this?
“Where should I retire?”
wherever you’re willing to stand and fight. ’cause that’s the only way you’re gonna get guns, liberty, independence, and low taxes.
Don’t over-think it. Check out small town America. Thousands of villages surrounded by miles of cropland or maybe hay ground or pasture. My town is a slow moving little place that rolls the streets up at night. There’s less of some things and more of other things here. Pick your fit.
Cottonwood Falls, KS is worth a look. Buy some land, roll in something to bed down in while you build a nice barn with a shop. Then decide what you want for a house.
TN, is the place I’ll be. No liberals need apply.
You’re kidding, right? I wouldn’t give you 2 cents for Boston or anywhere near there unless it’s North into NH. Boston people strike me as rude and ruthless.
Yep. 2A is enshrined in the state Constitution, no income tax is enshrined in the state Constitution, low property taxes, cheap car tags, sales tax is a little high.
I am on the west side, but would love to be in the eastern half. Johnson City area is great.
For now brother, for now.
Wife and I went down there, twice, about 6-7 years ago just to get a feel for the area. Spent most of our time South of Nashville – Franklin area. Beautiful rolling countryside. Could buy a nice, rural house on 5 acres for mid 300’s. Just looked on Zillo the other day. Jaw dropped – prices are now insane. I think the secret is out – unfortunately.
Nashville area is booming and it is mostly to the south of the city. I prefer the mountains in the eastern part of the state, but my wife will not leave the kids and grand-kids, so we will be here in the delta for the duration. We moved to the country about 15 years ago and are about 30 miles from Memphrica city limits. Hopefully, far enough away that the gangs will not be in the vicinity during our lifetime.
No, it’s a horrible place! Let them all go to NH!
The wife and I are kind of blackpilled on this whole “escape to a quiet corner” thing because anywhere you have a great community created and supported by white people, it’s just a matter of time before liberal looters and moochers will be drawn to it like moths to a flame. Not to mention the US and state governments actively and purposefully stuffing rural white communities with brown refugees. The string pullers know the obvious evolution is for balkanization and separation of the nation, and they are doing everything they can to undermine white people having their own peaceful and prosperous communities apart from the urban hellholes.
That is what’s happened in Idaho!
The Pho Keene liberals have taken over southern NH and are spreading north. Need I remind you that Hitlery took NH? The Pho Keene property taxes in NH are higher than rent in the more sensible areas of the country and God forbid a tree should fall down and expose a heretofore unseen view allowing them to increase the property taxes even further. The Pho Keene weather is too Pho Keene cold in NH for anywhere from 4 to 6 months of the year. Where’s that global warming when you need it? And then there’s the Pho Keene Masshole tourists ruining things year round, from trashing campgrounds to keeping lights on until well after midnight on the weekends at the ski resort that I can see even three towns away.
I’m ready to leave if I can find a warmer liberty minded place to go. Hubby not so much. He was somewhat interested in western Virginia until the latest gun ruckus. Oh well.
That was a Pho Keen Phunny commentary, Annie!
Agree. As a NH native sick of the cold and libtards, I am looking at bedford county VA
Yes….but …. Ralph “Coonman” Northam
My county in Idaho has tripled in pop. in 20 yrs. or a bit less. I’d like to know where to go too!
Check out the small villages here in Nevada. Forget abut Vegas and Reno, which have been Californicated. No state income taxes, warmer than Wy., and quite gun friendly.
I’m looking at Southern Appalachians when I get out of Pennsyltucky. I can’t leave the mountains but don’t want cold. I will see what happens in GA with the next election. If the Nigress had won last time it would already be off the list. If it falls it will probably by SC or TN.
Load up the truck, and move to Beverly….Hills that is…..Beverly Hills, FL…
Altoona…..Florida, or thereabouts
The Delmarva Peninsula, consisting of Deleware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland & Virginia.
Maryland is considered a liberal state, but the Eastern Shore is quite the opposite. Also the Shore has great hunting (waterfowl, white tail & sika deer), boating, fishing, Atlantic beaches, and sales tax-free shopping in Deleware.
What country is home to Deleware, Marsh Troll?
All true. I live here happily.
Shocked Tennessee was not mentioned. No state income taxes low real estate taxes in smaller towns.
Georgia allows each retiree the first 60k (120k per couple) free of state income taxes.
Alabama allows over age 65 real estate taxes be miniscule. State income taxes are 5%. But they can be somewhat offset over age 65 too. Bama is run top down by the Legislature so you wont be seeing any sanctuary bullshit in that state.
Florida panhandle is a very red area. No state inc tax and decent property taxes if not near the beach. This entire area is full of Dont tread on me, everywhere you look. From pensacola to Tallahassee.
I dont trust the politicians in mississippi….
That’s a good list. A couple years ago we were passing through some town in the eastern part of TN and it looked like heaven on Earth after seeing the urban hellscapes that Memphis and Nashville have become. Wish I had written down the name of the place. Of course the worst thing about the SE states is that you’re in the heart of the black belt.
N.W. Alabama does have a “mixed” population, but they are all the live and let live type. Too much wooded area to get “lost in”. Born and reared here but have seen most of the civilized world. All I need to do is stop going to work and call it retirement. There is enough land, water, and game for satisfy most anyone. I can feed you rabbit for breakfast, fish for lunch, and venison for supper. The weather is nice almost year round. It was 24 this morning and 56 this afternoon. In the summer it may be in the 60’s at night and 90’s the next day. We do have a store sometimes, but like I told a guy from L.A. “at least our ground don’t move.”
2 questions for all such movers…1. if you move to a ‘free-er’ part of the country, will you dare to drag the liberal, statist, soul-destroying policies, practices and mores to your new city? 2. where can you go where the liberal cockroaches haven’t already begun to pollute an otherwise pristine environment? In the last 10 years the inland northwest has gone from “breathing the aroma of freedom and clean air” to the stench of weed, patchouli and statism, “diversity” and conformity for its own sake. Feminists, queers and Californians-forever fucking it up for everybody.
“if you move to a ‘free-er’ part of the country, will you dare to drag the liberal, statist, soul-destroying policies, practices and mores to your new city?”
My wife and I left urban Florida for a small town in a rural, ethnically homogeneous area in a very “redneck” state. One of the first things I did was inform my new neighbors that I had two goals. 1) Be a good neighbor. 2) NOT to change local customs or politics.
The result? A very welcoming community.
Indeed.
Western West Virginia is my preferred location. Based on weather we like (enjoy the seasons, but want less snow), low risk of big natural distasters (hurricanes, and earthquakes), and politics (mostly republican areas). Also reasonable driving distance from family/friends is preferred as well. Property taxes are super low, and the state has very low racial diversity, which tends to make a place more stable. But different strokes for different folks. The US has an amazing amount of variety from scenery to climate.
Issues such as access to a good hospital also is a big deal, and I can only imagine it being much more of one as we get older. You can find alot of these things in small towns in alot of states, but clearly if your state has a mega city or two, they will be pushing for anti 1st/2nd ammendment stuff bare minimum. WV has no big cities. IF we win the lottery we would move there soon, but realistically speaking I don’t know how we move, we would at least have to be able to be close enough to ‘retirement’ to get away with just working some part-time jobs.
I work and live in Keene NH (since 2002). It’s a lovely community at the moment and I do love it here BUT things are changing. I can’t believe it made this list. Here are the reasons:
1. High property taxes. Mine are close to $8000 (doubled since I purchased in 2002) for a 3-bedroom 1.5 bath on a quarter acre. And not even the best neighborhood. Lots of rental units surround me. Monthly charge for taxes at $8K = $666+ (ha ha – mark of the devil?).
2. It is the core liberal/Democratic area of the state.
3. The “Free State Movement” is actually considered to be a joke movement and I agree. See hilarious video (7:46) from Colbert Report in 2014: “Free Keene Squad – Robin Hooders”
4. Keene State College bills itself as “THE state’s liberal arts college” and it’s hiring of a chief diversity officer about 10 years ago has led the push to change the demographics of the area. And it IS changing very quickly which is not a positive change IMO and experience.
5. Some citizens have been pressuring the city council to declare itself a “Sanctuary” city. Not a 2A sanctuary but an illegal immigrant sanctuary.
But like I wrote above, it’s a lovely town now. There is a much to like about Keene, Cheshire county, and many parts of NH. However, when I retire within the next 10 years I hope to move elsewhere.
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/01/01/people-leaving-new-york/
Dear Lord, please let this be true and continue on and on and on….Amen.