An important part of your retirement is deciding whether you’re going to move. Many retirees choose to move to a different place when they retire, whether to get a change of scenery, find a lower cost of living, or even just to spend their time in better weather. If you’re thinking about moving when you retire, you should consider the benefits of choosing Texas. We have seven reasons why you might want to consider the Lone Star State.
1. Your Taxes Will Be Lower
Texas is a hugely popular state to move to, in large part because of its tax code. It’s one of the few states that doesn’t tax income. That not only means that Social Security income will not be taxed, but neither will a 401(k), an IRA, a pension, or even working income. Sales tax is only 8.25 percent at the highest, and neither groceries nor medications are subject to sales tax. On top of that, the slightly higher than average property taxes are evened out by the state’s lower than average housing prices and substantial homestead exemptions. If you plan to rent, you'll be happy to learn that rent rates are lower in Texas, as well. For example, rent in Dallas decreased 39.6 percent over the last year, with a one-bedroom apartment costing about $1,318.
2. The Cost of Living Is Also Lower
While taxes are an important part of retirement expenses, they’re only due once a year. The day-to-day cost of living is more important. Luckily, you’ll be happy to know that the overall cost of living in Texas is about 16 percent lower than the national average. Healthcare costs are about 3.5 lower than the national average, and other expenses like groceries and utilities tend to be lower, as well, depending on the city.
3. Fairs Are a Huge Part of Texas Culture
If you’ve never been to a local fair, you’re missing out. There’s just something about the atmosphere that makes it intensely appealing, even if you do nothing but walk around a buy a churro or two. Texas takes it a step further with the State Fair of Texas, which draws hundreds of thousands of people annually, both out-of-state tourists and proud in-state residents. The fair takes place at Fair Park in Dallas and usually begins in late September and lasts until the end of October. For seniors, tickets are discounted Monday through Thursday to $10. Senior Day is every Thursday, and those over the age of 60 receive half-price admission, jut $5.
4. Texas Is Home to a Great Many Musical Acts
When you think about music in Texas, honky-tonks, banjos, and a Southern twang probably come to mind. And while the music scene in the Lone Star State has plenty of that, legends in other musical genres also got their start in Texas. Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, and Janis Joplin all started out in Texas, and that’s just to name a few. There’s good reason Houston is known as the “live music capital of the world.”
5. Texas Is Brimming with Culture
There are a lot of stereotypes about Texas, but there’s much more to the state than oversized pick-up trucks, cowboy hats, oil tycoons, and big hair. No matter where you go in Texas, you’ll find something unique. And while rodeos and ranches still dominate, there’s much to discover in this large state. Because it’s so large, the culture is defined by regions. For example, living in Central Texas is much different than living in East or North Texas. From food to fashion, you’ll find a lot of variety in Texas, along with a few surprises. For example, Japanese anime is popular in Dallas and Houston. There are anime production companies as well as several anime conventions in the state.
6. You'll Get Roped into Rodeos
Rodeos and other outdoor adventures are an important part of the state’s charm. Rodeos are a uniquely Southwestern experience, and cowboys are still an important part of the Texas economy. Rodeos are big in Texas. More than 2.5 million people attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo every year, and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo features more than 650 vendors. The oldest rodeo, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, started in 1896.
While rodeos bring to mind riding horses on the open range, there are some practical factors to consider. Mainly, the weather. In some parts of the state, summer temperatures can easily top 100 degrees Fahrenheit. On the upside, you won’t have to shovel snow too often.
7. Tex-Mex Food Is Its Own Type of Delicious
When food from different regions combine, something wonderful is often created. This is especially true of Tex-Mex. This unique blend of Mexican and Spanish food began when Texas was part of New Spain, from 1690 until around 1821, then part of Mexico between 1821 and 1836. Cattle culture added grilled food to the mix, and in modern history, American cheeses, such as Cheddar and pimento, came into play. The result is something uniquely Texas and amazing.
Texas is a vast state with a variety of options. From forward-thinking Austin to star-gazing Houston to oil-producing Galveston, the only problem you’ll face when retiring to Texas is deciding which city fits you best.
