I have to consider leaving NJ and I need the PF hive mind's input...

[FNFAN]

I like the idea of TN. Any specific city/town? Jobs, people you know? PF members in TN?

Clarksville is a growing city with many folks that commute to Ft. Campbell. Military people would be a market for your training skills. It's just down the road from Nashville if you want to visit the city.

[BaiHu]

You mentioned two desiderata. For a list of gun friendly states, you might glance at the most recent Guns & Ammo list of Best States for Gun Owners: https://www.gunsandammo.com/editoria...-owners/369075 . There are other state characteristics you might consider important: https://www.freedominthe50states.org/ You can google and find a ton of relocation websites if you wish.

In terms of business, if you're not independently wealthy you might consider a big city. Big cities are where the opportunities lie, and comfortable little communities always surround big mega-cities. Best of both worlds: jobs and good neighbors.

Both the state and the city should be gaining population. No sense in starting a business only to lose customers every year due to things you can't control. The city should have limited room for expansion. Examples would be Miami (Everglades to the south, Atlantic to the east. The west is limited. Can mostly only grow to the north. Another example might be Salt Lake City. Yet a third might be a city blocked on two or more sides by national parks or forests. The reason to seek a growing population in an area of limited land availability is that property you buy has a chance of reasonable appreciation (more people into a fixed area equals higher land prices).

New emigrants to a city probably have fewer links to established businesses, leaving opportunity for you to solicit to them through the web. Alternatively, a personable martial artist could teach unarmed skills at multiple locations: a gun store might sponsor a class; you could teach a semester class at one or more community colleges, or you might offer to speak on unarmed self-defense to women's groups. If you have a little money, you might build-out a manicure salon and rent the chairs. Around here you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a manicure salon, and they all seem to be doing well.

Good luck.

Thank you.

[Borderland]

I’d love to recommend N Idaho, but I’m just not sure of the job market for your skills. Let me look into it a bit. Also, we have winter.

That said, Boise is a little more temperate, has a hot economy, and has a decent college/university scene. They do have some MA schools though, including a Gracie gym.

Anywhere in ID, especially southern ID. Boise/Napa/Caldwell area. Jeezus, growing like a weed. Lots of new business. Idaho for biz opportunity and no GD blue state politics.

[RevolverRob]

To run a martial arts academy or something of like in Texas, will require you to live in one of the urban areas (D/FW Metro, Houston Metro, El Paso, Austin, or San Antonio). Advantages of Texas - very favorable gun laws and this is unlikely to change even in the foreseeable future, no state income taxes, no “winter”. Downsides, housing market in urban areas is pretty abysmal (high priced), and the cities aren’t purple, they are BLUE. You do not have to live in the city to work there, but commute times can be measured in eons in Houston and Dallas, especially.

That said, you could target an outlying burb to either place, example: Denton in the D/FW area or The Woodlands outside of Houston and likely have a large enough market to restart your business. Those areas are on the cusp of affordable, but would be reasonable if you do not simultaneously have hours long commutes daily.

All that said, if I were moving and had my druthers and did not move back to Texas (I would move back primarily for family reasons) - Huntsville, Alabama remains my top choice. Well established industry (auto manufacturing, DOD, NASA), minimal traffic, low cost of living, few hours to the coast, an hour and change to the mountains, far enough inland to not be worried about hurricanes, close enough to hills to limit tornadoes, enough rain to not worry about drought or wildfire...And the gunlaws are solid.

[Borderland]

Avoid TX, the climate sucks and CA is moving there.

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/...ate-last-year/

AL has some prospects but they don't have seasons. They have summer and hurricanes. I was there for Camille.

[fixer]

Sad to say but major metro areas in Texas are deep blue.

Rural areas are hyper conservative on the Constitution and are very welcoming people.

It’s a tough sell with major demographics changes.

I’m already looking to move to Idaho or Wyoming.

[UNK]

@JodyH has a business and hes said he cant get good help.
Maybe talk to Dagga Boy hes in Tx.
Do you qualify for any benefits? Like educational? Trade schools are usually two years or less and it doesnt matter where you live if youve got a trade.

[BaiHu]

@JodyH has a business and hes said he cant get good help.
Maybe talk to Dagga Boy hes in Tx.
Do you qualify for any benefits? Like educational? Trade schools are usually two years or less and it doesnt matter where you live if youve got a trade.

Thanks. TBH, I don't think so, but I haven't looked as I'm still trying to run the business.

[MichaelD]

I think @YVK and @SecondsCount would back me up on Utah. Lots of growth and lots of opportunities here. Davis County would be my suggestion.

[UNK]

Thanks. TBH, I don't think so, but I haven't looked as I'm still trying to run the business.

Some states are a lot more generous than others. You are up north somewhere as I recall and some guys I know from up there have told me their benefits and they are a lot better than in my state. A good place to start is the unemployment office.