@THREEDFLYER, oh yeah... I'm familiar with Elmer Keith. I've got Hell, I Was There! on my bookshelf.
My GF is from Spokane (WA is out of the question for me) so we've been considering Cour D Alene and Post Falls. I also like Salmon, Bonner's Ferry, etc. I still have to work, though, so that's a consideration.
Understood....my wife and I are not at retirement age and will be working for at least another 10 years.......we chose Prescott due to the conservative environment and good year round weather.
My ideal retirement would be a small place in the Salmon area for the 6 months and a place down here for the roughest parts of winter. I would stay in the Prescott area, not be in the Phoenix congestion......love the high desert and the people are good here.
Good luck to you and keep in touch, if you end up checking out Salmon more seriously I may have some contacts for you.