What do I want to do? Well.....for one thing, van. Would like to have access to a military hospital so I can save money on Dr.s and needed drugs. Summer, Spring, Fall and not real bad Winters. Not too high of a cost of living, will be living on retirement and social security. Back to the first thing, easier access to van functions without having to drive forever to get to something, even local things here will tap me for a days worth of driving for a two day event. Back that direction will be closer to what's left of my family.

i live in spartanburg sc. good weather all year. very little snow. i have a 79 dodge van with very little rust under it. i lightly sanded and painted the underside. lots of junkyards close. asheville va hospital is about 1 1/2 hours. charleston va is 3 1/2 hours. two clinics--one in greenville (40 minutes)and one in spartanburg (20 minutes)or less. no vehicle yearly inspections. ride my harley all year. for %50k you can get a 2 bedroom house. paid $81 for my 3 bedroom, 1 full bath, 2 half baths, half acre. 1 1/2 mile from downtown. blue ridge hghwy not far. north carolina mtns within an hour. lots of pubbin in asheville. many micro breweries in the area. fantastic restaurants. let me know what else you are lookin for. we are about 8 1/2 hrs from pittsburgh. i use to live 45 minutes form the burgh. too cold, too much ice and snow. by the time you pay a car off its time to look for another due to salt and rust. i only answered because you asked about the veterans hospitals. asheville va hospital is awesome. on par with the pittsburgh veterans hospital.

You have a lot of beautiful country down there., I know I was down there for a while....look for low taxes, crime rates, and if you are into it, open carry states.........

I too am looking for a year or two myself, although leaving Canada will be hard....good thing your VA accepts my VA card........

doc, we arent open carry but i had no problem getting the concealed permit.

I lived "up" in Tennessee a while back in the late '70s. Still visit there every chance I get. Not what I would call warm winters but a little warmer than further north. Pretty country around Chattanooga, Signal Mountain, Soddy Daisy and up Thunder Road to Dayton. We also used to run the 127 every August during the Longest Yard Sale. Beautiful mountains around Fall Creek Falls State Park and south around Cloudland Canyon.
Taxes are better in Tennessee as the higher sales taxes allows visitors to help pay up and keeps income taxes out. Living close to the state line used to allow for running over for bigger ticket items, like vehicles, but those sales tax loop holes have, for the most part, been closed.
Vanning is an all day drive for most events. I live in North Georgia and it's a haul to truckins. The Nats this year will be 825 miles one way. Our event, GSVR, is 3 hours which is very close for us.

Doc, buy a shotgun.

I'd say plan it where you can hook up the trailer and see the country. Spend a few weeks in campgrounds in your perspective states. Get to know the locals and the closest vanners. If you can afford to do that I think it will be an easy final decision. Have fun!