Rockwall vs. Allen/McKinney Area (Dallas, Garland: homes, established neighborhood, YMCA)

[RetireNUtopia]

We are considering moving back to the Dallas area as we get ready to retire. We are considering either the Rockwall or Allen/McKinney areas as a place to live. What recommendations do you have for someone in their mid-60's in these areas, or are there some other areas in the Dallas area you would recommend? I'm looking forward to your feedback.

[LQQKOUT]

I live in Rowlett...right next to Rockwall and it is nice. I also fell in love with Lucus. Murphy and North East Garland is nice too. Rockwall is nice as well.

What are you looking for? Price range, activies, shopping access.......

[momof2dfw]

There are a LOT of "young active retirees" in the Rockwall and Garland area. You can live on a golf course in either city. Both have a lot of city wide events going on to keep you busy if you want to be. My aunt & uncle moved back to this area after living in Florida for a few years (what they THOUGHT was their dream retirement area). According to them, "too many old people" in Fl that wanted to do nothing but sit around and "act old" . They now live on a golf course lot in Firewheel. My uncle has a group of golf buddies he plays with twice a week. They have a whole set of neighbors just on their block that are the same demographics that they socialize with (dinner, golf, cocktails, etc). They looked in Allen but they found more what they were looking for in this area. Rockwall is about the same. A good split between young families and young retirees in both areas. A good YMCA in both cities but Rockwall's has an indoor pool.

[turnbun]

I would choose Rockwall. The lake is there as well as a nice golf course. It seems more laid back than the northern burbs, too.

[Dragonfly8]

I am a resident of Rockwall. I love it!!
My favorite neighborhood is Lakeridge Park. South of Highway 66 (yes the Route 66 road) on the east bank of Lake Ray Hubbard. This is an established neighborhood with beautiful homes and large treed lots. Many of the homes are on the lake and others have a lake view. My husband and I looked there, but where unable to find a home with enough bedrooms/bathrooms/garage space for our large family. People are always out walking, tending to their flowerbeds. Real friendly.
I posted on another thread about the community activities. Good luck on search for Utopia.

Peace, love, ROCKWALL!!!!

[ETex2]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly8

I am a resident of Rockwall. I love it!!
My favorite neighborhood is Lakeridge Park. South of Highway 66 (yes the Route 66 road) on the east bank of Lake Ray Hubbard. This is an established neighborhood with beautiful homes and large treed lots. Many of the homes are on the lake and others have a lake view. My husband and I looked there, but where unable to find a home with enough bedrooms/bathrooms/garage space for our large family. People are always out walking, tending to their flowerbeds. Real friendly.
I posted on another thread about the community activities. Good luck on search for Utopia.

Peace, love, ROCKWALL!!!!

Sorry, the State Highway 66 in Rowlett is not a part of the famous "Route 66" popularized by the 60's TV show of the same name. Closest it gets to us is Oklahoma. Though it does go through the northern part of the Texas panhandle.

[Dragonfly8]

Originally Posted by ETex2

Sorry, the State Highway 66 in Rowlett is not a part of the famous "Route 66" popularized by the 60's TV show of the same name. Closest it gets to us is Oklahoma. Though it does go through the northern part of the Texas panhandle.

Oops. Thank you for correcting me.

[RetireNUtopia]

Thanks for the info so far -- we are nearing "65" and are wanting an area that has others in our "age group" and it is not too difficult to meet. We had looked at a couple of "active adult" communities last year during one of our visits as we have family (son & family) in Allen. I get concerned about the tremendous growth occurring in the Allen/McKinney area and do not want to be in such a high traffic area. Of course, I will not be commuting to work every morning when we get there!! I do not believe we need to be in an active adult community but would like an area that does have some otheer "active adults" (seniors) that like to have some nice social times, some golf, etc. Nothing against the "young working couples" (we were there once) but we would like to have other neighbors in our own social situation. Any other comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks

[momof2dfw]

If your two main concerns are "too much traffic" and "people in the same demographics".............. I'd steer clear of Allen and McKinney.
Start in Northeast Garland (Firewheel area) and on over to Rockwall. A lot less traffic with still as many amenities and shopping/dining options and more people in your age group.

[scyogi]

If your two main concerns are "too much traffic" and "people in the same demographics".............. I'd steer clear of Allen and McKinney.

I am not sure about that momof2, we have several retirees in our neighborhood in Mckinney and I know lots of seniors in the area. We have a large active group of retirees at our Y. Most that I have spoken to have grandchildren in the area or close by.