As you head into your Golden Years, you may wonder if you should stay put and maintain roots or try someplace new to live. After all, this is the time in your life that you’ve been saving up for and looking forward to. It’s time to travel, see the world, sit back and relax, and try new things. You may not be able to do that if you’re tied to a large home, possibly the one you bought when you first got married and raise all your kids and grandkids in.
If you’ve made the decision to move, you may wonder if Dallas is a good place to retire, and the answer is yes! From the warm climate to the relatively low cost of living, Dallas makes for a beautiful destination in which to live out the rest of your years. It’s certainly big – home to 1.3 million people. But each neighborhood within it has its distinct charm, peace and comfort.
Forbes ranked Dallas and San Antonio as two of the top 25 places to retire in 2020. Some of the ranking factors include availability of medical care, healthy and active lifestyle, good air quality, walking and biking convenience, and low serious crime rates. In that report, Dallas was commended for its:
- Relatively low cost of living
- Median home price, which is below the national median
- Number of physicians per capita
- High ranking on the Milken Institute’s list: best cities for successful aging
- Lack of inheritance tax and state income tax
- Good climate and air quality, with low risk of climate change
- Strong cultural scene
- Bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly environment
Whether you move here for the hot real estate market or the access to countless recreational attractions, you’re making a wise decision to relocate. It’s no secret that more and more people are flocking to Dallas as they hit age 65 and older. They’re coming from all over the country, from Arizona, California, the South and even New England, to live out their Golden Years in comfort.
Need more reasons why Dallas is a great place to retire to? Here you go!
Real Estate Market is on the Rise
You’d better get going on buying a house here soon, or the prices will continue to rise out of your reach. Home prices in Dallas are nearly 15% more expensive now than they were at the same time last year. In fact, Dallas was one of five cities across the nation that experienced all-time highest gains over the past year. The entire country is experiencing higher than normal home sale prices, so chances are, if you have a current home to sell, you’ll make a tidy profit to put towards new housing.
Perhaps you’re looking at assisted living options in Dallas, of which there are plenty, at an average cost of about $4000 a month. To get started on your search, check out these 10 best assisted living communities in Dallas.
The median home value in Dallas is $260,000, with a cost of living of 101, very close to the national average.
How to Choose a Neighborhood
When searching for the best place to retire, there are a variety of factors to consider. First of all, even before budget, think about your personal preferences, your needs, your wants and your present circumstances. Then, armed with that information, you can start looking at neighborhoods that fit the description. Only then should you rank them based on what you can afford.
Think about what’s important to you. Do you want to be within walking distance of a local coffee shop so you can grab a beverage with friends each morning? Are green spaces important to you? You’ll want to live near a park where you can take your daily walk or just relax. Head outside the city to White Rock Lake, enjoying the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. If golfing is more your speed, there are several public and private golf courses in Dallas. Here are some of the top-rated courses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Maybe you still plan to work part-time or volunteer in the city, in which case you’ll want access to a reliable public transportation system. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) includes light rail and bus service, connecting with the Trinity Rail Express (TRE) commuter train line.
If you have health issues, you’ll want to be close by to your new doctor, hospitals, walk-ins and wellness centers. About 10 percent of the population in Dallas is 65 or older, which is only expected to increase. There are many nationally-ranked hospital facilities led by Texas Health and Human Services.
If you want access to cultural and recreational activities, you may want to live close to the downtown area, where there is plenty of shopping, dining opportunities, galleries, museums and more. If you love to pass the time by reading, choose a neighborhood close to the local library.
As you can see, there are many factors that play into the decision on which area of Dallas to move to.
Best Neighborhoods in Dallas for Senior Living
The best suburbs in Dallas for retirees include:
- Plano
- Grand Prairie
- Irving
- Granbury
- Garland
The best retirement communities in Dallas include:
- Frisco Lakes
- Villas in the Park
- The Village at Prestonwood
- Heritage Ranch
- The Cottages at Lyndhurst
Contact Olde World Movers
Our movers have plenty of experience moving retirees to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We know what these moves entail and how to make them go as smoothly as possible. To get a free quote, contact us in our Fort Worth office at 817-618-1557, our Frisco office at 972-362-1779, or our Euless office at 817-406-3653.
