The states Kiplinger picked as "the worst" seem to be on its list
because of a higher cost of living than the "dumb" states. Certainly
cheap living is a valid criteria for many, but that doesn't make "dumb"
states like, say, Alabama, Mississippi, or South Carolina, attractive,
in light of their backwardness.
Cost of living is certainly a big factor for people who are retired.
I wouldn't choose to live in MS, AL or SC but I chose not to live in
MD too.
Factors like crumbling roads, polluted water, urban sprawl, high
taxes, intrusive laws and crime made where I live now far more
attractive than where I lived in Maryland.
If I put my stuff on a truck, I am not moving 20 miles down the road
and hoping the problems will not catch up with me ... again..
I'm not familiar with your roads or sprawl. I've only been to your part
of Florida twice. I thought some of the beaches were nice.
We don't happen to have problems where we live with crumbling roads,
polluted water, urban sprawl, intrusive laws, or crime. I would guess
our county's crime rate is lower than the rate in your county.