Mike,
We reloacated from Kali over 2 years ago. I was born and raised in SoCal and was, for about 10 years, very involved in the horse culture.
We studied for most of 10 years before we made our move from Kali. We too, had children we were wanting to get through high school before we made our move.
You're wise to seek the advice of folks living in the state and area where you wish to relocate. Once we had narrowed our search down to north Arkansas, Winelover and Rick gave Mrs. smokeywolf and I very valuable info on this area.
Don't forget that, as you move into your senior years, your medical needs will almost surely increase and intensify. As we searched for property, we set a parameter or requirement of being not more than 20 minutes away from a sufficiently large or capable medical center. Our foresight paid off when, a little past one year after the move and at 47 years of age, Mrs. smokeywolf went into congestive heart failure.
If you are beyond 20 minutes by car or by ambulance, there is usually medivac chopper service. But, they could have been dispatched to another call a few minutes before your call.
While we are about 6 to 8 miles outside city limits (taxes are higher and more limitations in city), we are just under 15 minutes by car (our car) from a regional medical center.
R.J.