But, there are many 2nd/3rd tier cities and towns that have a reasonable number of jobs, better COL, and possibly better quality of life (depending on your priorities).
Places like Roanoke VA. Small, old industrial city. But, the downtown is fairly vibrant, outdoor recreation is excellent, and between Roanoke proper and the adjacent Blacksburg (Virginia Tech) and Christainsburg, there's a reasonably sized job market that spans quite a few industries. Someplace like this is our current plan for near-retirement into retirement.
Coincidentally, I'm also a Hokie and really loved walking around downtown Blacksburg, Roanoke and Richmond (fuck C-ville, LOL). Like a lot of land-grant universities, it's a drop of blue in a sea of red. And that is why I haven't been back in over a decade. Being from Florida I was stopped and questioned by small town police every time I drove home.
I loved my 4 years in Charlottesville, but don't think I could live there. The COL drop from DC isn't enough to be worth the move. And the horse country "I got mine, so f--- you" vibe rustles my jimmies (we get the same thing in the western DC suburbs).
Your police experience is "normal" for Florida plates, and applies to the state troopers and suburban police too. "FL tag, must be a drug mule." Infuriating, but at least you can take solace in knowing you weren't singled out any more than another other FL resident driving through.
But, there are many 2nd/3rd tier cities and towns that have a reasonable number of jobs, better COL, and possibly better quality of life (depending on your priorities).
Places like Roanoke VA. Small, old industrial city. But, the downtown is fairly vibrant, outdoor recreation is excellent, and between Roanoke proper and the adjacent Blacksburg (Virginia Tech) and Christainsburg, there's a reasonably sized job market that spans quite a few industries. Someplace like this is our current plan for near-retirement into retirement.