Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Houston, Texas
Houston Sits Near the Gulf of Mexico in Southeastern Texas and Has Reasonable Living Costs, Amenities Galore, Fun Eateries, Outstanding Medical Facilities and More
Founded near the banks of Buffalo Bayou near Galveston Bay on the Gulf of Mexico, Houston (population 2.5 million) dates from the 1830s and is a sprawling, bustling city of rich cultural diversity. It is home to NASA's Johnson Space Center and to the University of Houston (46,000 students), giving the city a youthful quality.
It is the fourth largest metropolis in the U.S. by population, with almost 300 people moving here every day. The economy is rooted in oil, manufacturing, medical research and aeronautics, and there are nearly as many Fortune 500 company headquarters here as there are in New York City.
The cost of living 3% less than national average, something not found in many large urban areas. Thirty-two percent of residents hold at least a four year college degree. Politics tilt to the left, a rarity in Texas, and the population is a mix of whites, blacks, Asians, Hispanics and more. Nearly 40% of locals speak Spanish as their primary language. Thirty percent of residents are age 45 or better.
The city is bounded by inner waterways and sits inside and outside of Highway Loop 610, a 42 mile loop around the traditional inner city. The area within Interstate 610 is generally referred to as Loop 610. A wide range of unique neighborhoods are inside and outide the Loop. Outside, single family homes and suburban sprawl are common. Inside, trendy neighborhoods that include pre-WWII homes and modern condos, blossom.
The median home price is $239,000, relatively inexpensive for a major U.S. city. Texas property taxes are high, but the state does not levy an income tax so Social Security is not taxed. Houston also has liberal property tax exemptions for anyone 65 and better.
Locals always have something to do. The compact downtown brims with stores, galleries and eateries. The museum district contains 19 museums, some world-class, within a 12 block radius. The Alley Theatre, Jones Hall, the Wortham Theater Center, and the Hobby Center for Performing Arts are also clustered together. The University presents lectures, workshops and its Shakespeare Festival holds a Bard Bash as well as a summer of Shakespeare repertory.
Residents enjoy almost 340 parks. The 445-acre Hermann Park has a railroad, a zoo, a Japanese garden, and a lake. Discovery Green, a 12-acre emerald in the middle of the city, anchors more than 600 public events per year.
An abundance of professional and collegiate athletic teams means a game is always happening somewhere. There are also 38 golf courses, 10 of them public.
Houston is an excellent base for launching day trips to the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston, the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, or the Sam Houston National Forest. The city's airport system has flights bound for destinations across the world.
Foodies love this place. Restaurants run the gamut from Cajun to German, Moroccan to Vietnamese, authentic Mexican to Tex-Mex.
Cultural diversity also means a wealth of annual celebrations like the Art Car Parade, the stock show, and the Bayou City Art Festival.
If shopping is a passion, the Galleria has more than 400 stores and restaurants. The library system is extensive, with 45 branches.
The renowned Texas Medical Center houses the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions, more than 60 in all, and is accredited by the Joint Commission.
Summer temperatures are in the 90s, and winter temperatures are in the 30s, 40s and 50s. The city receives 53 inches of rain per year on average, and it is a humid place.
Houston, similar to most major cities, has some problems. The Loop can be a blessing and a curse. Many neighborhoods inside and outside of it are walkable, but making a connection from the suburbs to the city or the city to the suburbs can be a headache. Urban sprawl is evident. Traffic congestion is a way of life in many areas, and public transportation has not kept up with growth. The air quality is below the national average. Bugs, particularly cockroaches, thrive in the moist environment. The crime rate is above the national average (but it is higher in some neighborhoods than in others). Hurricane Harvey in 2017 caused significant flood damage, and some areas are still recovering.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Maybe | Is Texas Tax-Friendly for Retirement? Yes
Many of Houston's problems, from urban sprawl and a higher than average crime rate to below average air quality and poor public transporation, are countered by its rich cultural diversity, bounty of amenities, endless restaurants, outstanding medical facilities and reasonable living costs. If affordability, warm temperatures and diversity are important factors, then Houston is a great retirement spot. If crime, poor air quality and lack of public transit are important factors, then it might not be.
Texas:
With a name based on a word used by Caddo Indians meaning "friends," Texas is the second biggest state by population in the United States. It is estimated that 70% of the population lives within 200 miles of Austin, the capital city.
Houston is the largest city, while Dallas-Fort Worth is the largest metropolitan area. Connecticut and Delaware could fit inside Texas' largest county - Brewster. The state is larger than all of New York, New England and Ohio combined.
The historical people of Texas include members of the Native American tribes of Apache, Choctaw, Tonkawa and Hasinai. When Texas became the 28th state of the United States (1845), it adopted the official flag called the Lone Star Flag. Symbols include the Bluebonnet - the state flower.
Almost 10% of Texas is covered by forest. The state has nearly 24,000 farms, 90 mountains a mile or more high and is the nation's leading producer of natural gas, oil, wool, cotton, watermelons and rice. It also has the most airports of any state in the nation and is one of the most business-friendly states. Its culture has a blend of of Southern, Southwestern (Mexican) and Western influences.
Famous natives and residents include Mary Kay Ash, George W. Bush, Tommy Lee Jones and Joan Crawford.
Stats:
Population - 27,862,596
Persons 65 years old and over - 12%
High school graduates, persons age 25+ - 82%
Bachelor's degree or higher, age 25+ - 27%
Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin - 40%
White persons, not Hispanic - 42%
Median household income - $43,470
Median home price - $132,000
Social Security taxed? No
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
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