Serious question (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio: taxes, living in, safe)

[madison19]

Hello,

We have relatives in their fifties who are staying in Kansas. They are really tired of the brutal weather conditions and are planning to move to Texas before retirement. But they are little confused about the move after visiting DFW area last winter. Main question is- right now they are living in a city in Kansas which is not that crowded and so is it a smart decision to move to a crowded place after retiring. Can anyone give some advice about moving to Texas for retirement? Other than weather and taxes?
Thanks

[madison19]

Or May be someone can suggest smaller and safe cities in Texas for retirement? Yes lot of information on the internet but personal experience is always welcome. Thanks

[KerrTown]

Dallas is on the southern edge of the Great Plains (a.k.a. "Southern Oklahoma"). Not much different than Kansas; it got the brunt of last year's winter storm!

For something warmer try southern Texas; namely San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. Winters are milder being closer to the Gulf of Mexico and the southern latitude. If your parents are looking for small town-like quiet near a major city, the area between San Antonio and Austin is a popular retirement spot (Canyon Lake/Wimberley). Also the pine forests north of Houston are noteworthy due to the lakes (Conroe, Huntsville, Livingston).

[mojo101]

There are advantages of living or being close to a large city say Houston,you find bargains .
Houston traffic is getting worse,but retirees can avoid traffic by going about their business during hours when most folks are at work.

[walker1962]

Originally Posted by madison19

Or May be someone can suggest smaller and safe cities in Texas for retirement? Yes lot of information on the internet but personal experience is always welcome. Thanks

There's a ring of smaller cities/towns within 30 to 50 miles from Dallas-Fort Worth:
1. Waxahachie
2. Granbury
3. Weatherford,
4. Sherman
5. Burleson
Farther out, Denison, Athens, Kaufman

[ChristieP]

I agree with Walker that they should look at the outer ring towns rather than in DFW. The traffic is just horrible and older folks who are not used to it would be very intimidated trying to get used to driving in it. I would not advise Sherman due to the the hospital there, but Kaufman would be a very good choice for retirees.

[madison19]

I am sorry ChristieP, but isn’t having a hospital good thing for retirees? I don’t k know anything about Sherman so just curious .

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by EP45

She meant the hospital there is a deterrent, as it is substandard.

I’m not a fan of the company that owns it, and a friend who has used that hospital had complications due to poor infection control. A coworker who lives up there says he would rather “drive to McKinney or call a veterinarian.”

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

Dallas is on the southern edge of the Great Plains (a.k.a. "Southern Oklahoma"). Not much different than Kansas; it got the brunt of last year's winter storm!

I lived in Kansas City for two winters and there is a HUGE difference in winter weather.

For example, the average low in Dec, Jan, and Feb is 26, 23, and 26 in Kansas City while Dallas is 39, 38, and 41.

The difference between 23 degrees and 38 degrees is huge.

[widespreadfan]

We used to live in Kansas. We moved during the pandemic because of the evil woman in Topeka also known as the governor. Kansas is sure cheaper than Texas, but to me I would much rather be in Texas.