Lots of people living off the grid in Eastern Arizona. Tin foil hat wearin, black helicopter people, you name it.

Good luck. I've never lived anywhere but a rural area and don't honestly think I'd cut it in a subdivision. Two more years and I'm retiring, I've had enough of these 12 hour swing shifts.

Good luck to you too short timer.! I wasn't planning it this way but I've been working on getting out and trying to do it the best way possible. Last night I was pretty down, it's just me and my one dog here. I'm depressed, she is depressed, I'm not making much money, covid cases are rising sharply, bad. So this morning when I woke up I decided screw it, why am I here? I didn't tell my boss yet, just sent him the song. Haven't heard from him...
I really enjoyed my time up there. Now I just miss my wife and the other two dogs, along with the peace that comes with living there. I'm wasting time standing here, I gotta go.

I don't think I could live in a desert. My wife lived in El Paso for 18 years, I just don't think I could do it.

I've worked 10-12 hours a day all my life. Many weeks were 6 days a week. I'm done with that, I'm not the machine I used to be.

Go for it. Best thing I ever did for my sanity was retire. A combination of things, partially dumb luck, means I'm actually putting $ in the bank every month.
I've always lived within my means - raised by parents who went through the Depression & WW2 - and outside of my cars, have few expenses.
I generally manage to stay pretty busy, still catching up on things I wanted to get done years ago.
Mainly though, the less BS in your life, the better - and healthier - you'll be.
The BS and propaganda on TV included.

All I can add is once you make your mind up don't look back or second guess yourself.
I did it back in '08 at youngish 51. Been loving it.
In your situation I might recommend decide where you want to go and rent to get the lay of the land.
Then, when the bottom falls out of housing in a couple years get the best place you can.
I did it in '12 because I was not going anyplace in '07 instead I put a new roof high end windows, kitchen and bath remodel and went on a 2.5 yr search for the right place.
Bought in '12 and kept old place empty for 2 yrs and sold it, paid off the new place that was nicer than last place and started doing the same repairs.
Believe it or naught you and I are more of the same cut than you'd think. Sure I post some provoking to downright insightful stuff, but anyone that listens to Robert Earl Keen is o.k in my book.

I spent my career in the military. When I was nearing retirement eligibility, it was common for the "old timers" to tell you "you'll know when it's time." Sounds to me like you're ready. Congratulations! You'll enjoy it...

After working 34 years outside in construction, I was sick of the winters, and working 10 hrs daily beside driving 2-3 hrs each way 6 days a week to the jobsites. At 60, 13 years ago, I decided to retire and not "grind" out another 5-10 years. You can do what you want when you want, that's the beauty of it. Plus, retire as early as you can, while you have your health. Hope you enjoy your retirement !

Good for you. I did the same on May 1st, two weeks shy of 59. Just couldn't stand living out if a hotel 180-210 days a yr anymore. We bought a condo in Florida 2 yrs ago to live in in the winter and be by the grandkids. Everything is paid off.

Never plan on leaving Ohio full time our winters aren't bad, no flooding, forest fires or earthquakes to deal with. Hell we haven't even had a hail storm where I live in 8 yrs. I have 8 drag strips within 2 hrs. So late spring thru late fall we will be in Ohio.

Just find a place you enjoy that has the activities you like and best of luck.

How about a little CITY LIFE ... and live like a KING ?

KING of CHOP !

Oct 2018 was the date for me. I did some light work limited to 3-4 hours a day, Mon-Fri (I was self employed) for another year after that, and I still might do a few little things for a quick buck or two once in a while, but mostly I'm just working on my own stuff. I really like telling people I won't do their stuff any more.
My wife retired before I did, life is good. I recommend everyone do it as soon as you can, don't fall for that "full retirement" BS. Retire while your health is good and you can enjoy it. Gene

Retirement is close for me as well.

Actually 20 months from right now

I thought that you moved out of state to a rural area within the last year. Am I thinking of someone else here?
Congrats to you either way.

We bought a place but hadn't moved there permanently yet.

good luck and enjoy.

Why not start a new self employed job putting 5.7 V8s and/or manual transmissions into older Dakotas and Rams, working at your own pace?

I'm not sure there would be much demand for that in the sticks of WV, but I do expect to do some work out of my garage. There is only one repair facility in the area and that guy is ready to retire.

..been following this thread and just wanted to add my voice to the well wishers and say WELL DONE YOU.
What a great opportunity to hang it up and do what you want..
Enjoy it!
- Art

People will drive a good distance for the right item anymore. That's one thing the internet is good for. Just yesterday, a guy drove several hours to buy a piece of machinery we had for sale. And my son drove 7 hours round trip for a lift.

The right thing at the right price will allow you to sell from almost anywhere. Maybe even from WV.