Retire in Texas?

[dmcummins]

Starting to think about moving south, I just don't like the St. Louis winters. We just got back from a short trip. Stopped at Granbury, Austin, and San Antonio. We were only in Granbury for a short while but did like what we saw. Also something close to San Antonio might be OK.

So anyone spent any time in Granbury? Its just south of Ft. Worth. How are the summers there? Any recommendations.

Also thinking of Florida, but were not that old yet. I'm 55, wife 52.

I'm looking to golf, and must have an airport for my plane nearby.

[gshase]

I live north of Granbury and go and do work there every month. It has a lot to offer and is small enough to be peaceful and less than an hour to most of DFW.

[mreid]

I'm 56, the wife 52. We just moved to San Antonio for my last job before retirement. We love it down here! Best small town feel in a big city I've found yet.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by gshase

I live north of Granbury and go and do work there every month. It has a lot to offer and is small enough to be peaceful and less than an hour to most of DFW.

Whats the Pecan Plantation like? I havn't been there but have seen houses listed there that seem very reasonable.

[porsche4life]

Texas would be nice... If it wasn't for, well.... Texans....

[Jim Richards]

Rofl!

[silverc4s]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Texas would be nice... If it wasn't for, well.... Texans....

If you think you wouldn't like it here; you're right.

[porsche4life]

I lived in Houston for a bit... I know I didn't like it there...

In all seriousness, I like most of Texas. Austin and San Antonio especially, I just don't care much for the DFW area.

Most of that is the traffic. Seems Texans have their own ideas for the rules of the road. I can drive all month without incident, go to Dallas and nearly get rundown in a few hours...

[thingmon]

Looks like water availability issues may be hitting the critical stages in some areas. Might want to take that into account in your search. I can see Austin and San Antonio having problems in the near future.

Some recent court decisions in this area could be problematic too. I like Whooping Cranes, but not necessarily to the exclusion of everything else...

[vash]

i'd love to retire outside of Austin.

if i had to do it all over again, i would have gone to college there!! that would have been the best!! girls, texan girls. good football, girls, good school..great scene.

summers were brutal for me, but i adapted.

[M.D. Holloway]

Sid,
I think you and OK are suited for each other perfectly...

[pavulon]

uhhh...St. Louis winters are bad you say?

[Hard-Deck]

I have lived everywhere, and Texans are the best people I have ever met.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by thingmon

Looks like water availability issues may be hitting the critical stages in some areas. Might want to take that into account in your search. I can see Austin and San Antonio having problems in the near future.

Some recent court decisions in this area could be problematic too. I like Whooping Cranes, but not necessarily to the exclusion of everything else...

Nearly all of the state is in extreme drought conditions or will be there soon if it doesnt rain a lot this spring - bring your own water. Last year was the worse drought on record and no relief is in sight. Oh, also expect rolling brownouts/blackouts during the summer.

[JavaBrewer]

Travelled many times to TX (Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio) and can't really say anything bad about the folks that live there. Good food, good bars, proper gun laws. However the weather is a deal breaker for me...but I am a SoCal native so that's high on my priority list. I would rather live in an apartment in good weather than a home where I need AC and heat to survive. YMMV.

[krichard]

Yes, you guys are right! It is hot and we are about to run out if water. Do yourself and us a favor and don't move here...... We all hate it but can't seem to get it together and move the f out.

[slow&rusty]

San Antonio all the way!

[wdfifteen]

I like San Antonio and Galveston. You couldn't pay me to live in Houston or Dallas.

[red-beard]

Advantages: Very low cost of living including food, property, etc. Gun laws and most laws in general are sensible. No income tax. Great place to have a business because the regulations are minimal. Houston has no zoning.

Disadvantages: some of the savings goes to electric usage in the summer. If you like the heat it's fine here. With lower property values, the tax rates are higher. Salex tax (state plus local) runs around 8% statewide. Downpayment on property is 20% in most cases, which has kept the property from running up in value. Houston has no zoning which means lots of HOA regulated neighborhoods.

Texans are genuinely friendly.

Grew up in Stephenville - 30 miles SW of Granbury. Granbury is very nice and laid back small town. Lake, golf, good backroads toward Glen Rose. It's 30 minutes from Ft Worth which is a fantastic city with arts, shopping and great history. Hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Winter doesn't last that long and there are plenty of 60 degree days.

Hill country is a fantastic place and the seat of Texas rich history. Back roads go forever with lot's of great driving and early Porsche is very active. The landscape is fantasic in a rough, unforgiving way. I love every minute I get to spend there. Traffic though Austin can be difficult, but it's a pretty small town and you can find your way around on surface streets. Fantastic music scene - even small restaurants will have unknown bands playing at night. Hotter n hell in the summer, but dress is very casual but coolish winters.

You need to spend some time in both places - there are distinct differences. Texans are generally very cool and laid back people and very accepting. We don't like furiners trying to force us to change.