I moved from Providence to south central Kansas in 2004...did well on the sale of my home (Elmhurst area) so I was able to pay cash for a new place here. Paid $42k for a 2 bed/1 bath with 1/3 acre lot. Extremely rural area, less than 1,000 residents. Quiet, peaceful, very low cost of living. Got a job at the prison 40 minutes north of town, made $58k in my first year (managed the prison kitchens) with a little OT and zero experience in that field.

The downside? I miss my family, the ocean, a vibrant downtown scene, great restaurants and nightlife. There is literally none of that here.