There is a lot of research you can do on line.
Since I only consider homes with at least 5 acres of land that makes it easier.
By law I'm not allowed to live in a city.
Check all costs such as dump, utilities, property taxes, car tabs, insurances,
food prices at the nearest stores, Crimes and types of crime in the area,
Medical facilities, lawyers on speed dial, bugs, animals, weather history,
et al.
Those costs add up and will tell you what kind of place it is.
That will greatly narrow your search.
Some years back I looked into re-locating back to WA state,
but in another more rural part of the state. than where I lived before.
All things being equal the costs told me to stay where I am.
So here I stay.
My advice is be careful before you jump. It always looks greener
until you land and live there.