Why not sit down and make a list of places that you would like to investigate, do some internet searches, and then take some time and chat w/people to see what their views are on the places? No matter where you move, especially in the north, you are going to have cold, snowy weather and that's something you have to take into consideration since your daughter mentioned the weather.
As for losing opportunities w/the people you have developed relationships with? I don't see that as a problem...why? You have the telephone and the internet. You are just a click away from your friends, authors, etc. There are plenty of author that live across the country. There are several right here in my location that write and have their work published in new York. In fact, one who passed away a couple of years ago, only lived 15 miles from me. So, it's not the fact that you have to live right in the area, but it's more of getting into the groove of staying in contact frequently.
Again, this is something you have to think about. I just wanted to provide you w/some examples of people who live in other areas, write up their work and then either hand carry or electronically send their work to publishers for review and hopefully get their articles and books published.
I hope everything works out for you.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
