I think the old adage "you get what you pay for" can be applied in most instances, but not in others.
Using Delaware as an example, there's low taxes, no state income tax for SS/Pensions, close to NJ and Philly, nice beaches, etc.
I find there's very little "character" per se there, but OP likes to be at home a lot and not always venture out (nothing wrong with that - I actually prefer that myself), making the lack of "character" not a big deal vs. someone who likes to eat out a few times week or go exploring
We know moving to Florida in the next decade, costs have already gone up. Taxes are up. Hurricanes have increased. Flood insurance, car insurance, homeowners insurance all have gone up. HOA's, if we decide to move into a community that has them, will only go up
However, it's worth it for us for a few main reasons (weather, people, no state income tax on ss/pension, relaxed life style, lovely gerography, etc.)
What I'll never understand are the people who move out of NJ, who made their money here and grew up here, lived a good life, then trash the place - no idea why they do that
