I was faced with this dilemma about ten years ago. To me, cost of living, climate, and heath care were priorities.
I looked at US and Caribbean islands. Crime rate and health care ruled out island paradises... that left me with finding a place in the USA. At the time I was living in Mississippi. The cost of living was not bad but I couldn't tolerate the heat & humidity. I also hate snow as I had plenty of it living in Indiana and Wyoming. So I was left with looking for a temperate climate were cost of living was reasonable.
Cost of living can be partially derived at by looking here:
https://www.missourieconomy.org/indicat ... /index.stmI ended up moving to the outskirts of Knoxville, TN.
-no state income tax.... 9.25% sales tax
-auto, health & home insurance rates were less than MS
-car tag was $25 with no annual inspection required (now $50) where MS was $800 (based on value)
-four seasons with no more than a couple of inches of snowfall
-humidity is quite tolerable
-property tax is very reasonable
-housing cost is low (I paid <$300K for 5bdrm, 3 1/2 bath, 3 car garage on 36,000 acre lake)
-TVA has some of the best electric rates in the country
-TVA lakes in east TN are abundant with plenty of recreational availability
-mountains & related activity a couple of miles away
-crime rate is low
-unemployment is one of the lowest in the country
-extremely good health care with Univ of TN Med Center
-I know all my neighbors and we look out for one another (they mowed my lawn when I wasn't able) & we visit routinely
These are some of the things I looked at when making a retirement location choice and I've been very happy!
Your priorities may differ.