Thanks
Baba Aladura, thanks for this important info.
For a new person you probably need Maryland or New Jersey for job/career opportunities which is critical for your ultimate independence. New Jersey has a slight edge because it is close to the bigger job market in New York. But Maryland is also close to the job markets in Virginia and DC.
I prefer the smaller towns in Tennesse for family life= slow pace, low crime, low cost of living.
Baba Aladura, thanks for this important info.