But it's COLD. And it is dark all the time in the winter.
Were it not for those things I'd consider that "pert near paradise" myself. I'm beyond sick of urban areas and can't wait to retire and get out of metro Atlanta. But much as I'd like the other things you mention, Wyoming is just too dang cold and dark (in winter) for me. Otherwise, yeah.
Cold is relative and, no, it’s not dark all the time. You must be thinking of Alaska and Minnesota. We have blue skies most of the winter. And while it does snow, I think I only shoveled 3-4 times last winter and don’t mind do so. I don’t have go to the gym and lift on those days.
As for cold, I’m a distance runnner and I run outside ALL YEAR. It’s a matter of how one dresses. Plus there are major advantages of the the cold in the winter. You get a break from yard work and outside chores. There are no bugs. Winter scenes to photograph are nearby, like right outside your door. There are hiking trails everywhere. I have one 3 blocks form the house that goes off in many directions for many miles.
Another photographic advantage of moving here, someone mentioned something about the high cost of real estate impacting one’s ability to have a darkroom. That wasn’t the case of me. I sold a 900 SF house in SoCal and bought a 2,700 SF house on a large lot that included a full, finished basement that has a 12x12 windowless room and able to do so WITH CASH.
Full disclosure: yes, there are some downsides. If you like to eat out, it’s chains and steaks. That’s about it. Ethnic food is rare or fake. If you like seeing current musical artists, you better like country/westerns because that’s what you’ll get. We do have a local jazz scene that’s really good though. If you come here from someplace else, especially the West Coast, some people will look down on you, forever. There is a high level of racism directed at the Native American population. There are others but things tend to balance out to the positive column.