Not necessarily just for military personnel. My retirement (civilian job) is a few years away and I have no roots keeping me in California anymore. I would love to find a small, military supportive town in a conservative state. Preferably something with California weather but much less expensive ;-).
Currently, I'm thinking of somewhere in Texas. Probably near Houston as I have a newphew who lives there and I would love to reconnect. I'm definitely open to other states though.
Anyone out there passionate about the love they have for their city/state?
Indiana is conservative except for South Bend, the area around Chicago just across the state line, and the Indianapolis metro area. Affordable homes, low COL, lots of small towns and cities. Great place to raise kids, grandkids, or have grandkids spend their summer at Grandma and Grandpa's home or lake cottage. Fishing, water-ski , jetski/speedboat/ canoe/kayak on the lakes. Lots of state parks for recreation. The northern part of the state has the Amish and Mennonite communities, heirloom quality Amish built furniture, fresh baked cinnamon rolls, pies, cookies, homemade jams and jellies, and is the RV building capital of the world. Larger cities, such as Ft. Wayne, have sports teams that are feeder teams to the NHL, MLB. High school basketball is taken VERY seriously, with local games broadcast live on radio in the evenings 3-4 days a week.
The state government has a surplus. I know you said " California-like weather". A blistering hot, hot summer day in Indiana is 75 degrees. If the temp goes to 78 or higher, people start complaining about the oppressive heat. It can get humid for a week or so in August. How well do you like snow? from November- Mid February is the trade -off for those summers. Jacket weather starts around mid-October, winter coat weather November- mid March, jacket weather end of March-mid April. Deer and duck hunting seasons-hunting license required.
Oh, the occasional mountain lion passing through a field or wooded area in northern Indiana, usually in search of food or on their way to southern MI, which apparently is a hotbed of mountain lion activity for whatever reason. It is illegal to shoot them unless they are attacking people or livestock. Keep an eye on Fluffy or Fido if they are outdoors. Also, with small dogs weighing less than 10 pounds, keep an eye out for owls or hawks.