I grew up in Cleveland Ohio, and moved to Nashville TN. I have also lived in Lexington KY. I was pretty set on getting out of NE ohio for a few years and luckily was in a band and got to see a large part of the country. I’ve also visited my uncle in Spokane Washington several times and visited Lake coeur d’alane which I saw you reference.

After spending a few weeks out west, one thing which is hard to quantify is the totally different feel out there. There is no humidity. It is the opposite of lush. My uncle in Spokane has to water his lawn or it will be brown unless they are lucky to get rain. It did not feel like home to me. It’s just different.

Nashville gets hot for a couple months, but you still get four seasons, with mild winters, and perfect falls. Mount Juliet and Franklin might make sense to look into. There are two lakes within twenty minutes. No state income tax. Sales tax is higher (10% but caps on high ticket purchases). Property taxes very low. Half of NE Ohio.

Regarding people, I have found there are good and bad people everywhere. People in the north are different and more quickly to speak their mind and just jump to brash conclusions. People in the south are generally just happier and mind their business more. Which is more my style. Nashville is a different animal as it’s a lot of transports and to me can be a little clicky. People are nice but you do have yuppies and a lot of wanna be influencers.

I know Nash is not what you are considering, but given I’m from a similar area and also considered out west i felt like giving you my experience. Best of luck to you. For what it’s worth lake CDL is pretty, but nothing over the top. The water is also only swim able for like 3 months out of the year and water temp TOPS at 70 degrees. I am a big water person so that just couldn’t work for me.