If you are looking for a good place with a nice environment and a diverse culture to live in post-retirement, you may be considering relocating to Dallas. Located in North Texas, Dallas is a metropolis with an urban and suburban feel and is well-known as a cultural hub. Moving to a new location can be exciting, but before moving, you will need to do adequate research about the area and find out if it suits your needs and preferences. What are the pros and cons of choosing to retire in Dallas, TX?
The Place Gets Good Rankings
Niche conducted a grading report for Dallas which combines critical statistics from the U.S. Census with expert insights and concluded that Dallas is among the top 10% of most diverse cities and top 30% of overall best places to live in Texas.
Aside from the cultural diversity, Dallas, TX also boasts an amazing nightlife and substantial grades for outdoor activities, commute, and weather – it is generally sunny and warm in Dallas and the winters are mild. It is also regarded as a good place for families.
Cost of Living
You do not need to be rich to live a good life in Dallas. NerdWallet puts the city’s median income at $42,259, and the costs of healthcare, groceries, and housing all stand below the national average. In addition, you can find housing at a much cheaper rate compared to Miami, Denver, and San Francisco.
Housing
Dallas offers an array of housing options for people looking to move in. Whilst newer developments tend to cost a bit more, the median home cost in Dallas falls below $300,000. Otherwise, you can choose to rent an apartment in a neighborhood you like, which can cost upwards of $1k per month.
Although homeownership is below the national average at 41%, areas like Dallas-Fort Worth still boast a homeownership rate of 64.7%, nearly matching the national average.
Jobs
If you are interested in pursuing a part-time job after retirement, Dallas is the place for you. Part-time jobs are great for older adults because you can keep the mind active and mitigate loneliness, all whilst earning a little income for yourself. Being an economic hotspot, Dallas offers tons of jobs and low rates of job loss despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greenery
In Dallas, you will find many green spaces, including the Great Trinity Forest which is the largest urban forest in the US. White Rock Lake Park is a great place to go on picnics or bring your furry friend to the dog park, and Klyde Warren Park holds yoga classes and movie screenings.
Safety
Unfortunately, whilst Dallas is leading in culture, jobs, and greenery, it does not fair as well when it comes to safety. Dallas reports a crime rate that goes above the national average for most violent and property crimes. However, this does not mean the city is rife with crime; with enough precaution, you can easily increase your security.
Best Neighborhoods
Dallas offers many appealing neighborhoods for post-retirement life, with Uptown, Frisco, and Oak Lawn being some of the most popular choices. You may also consider Dallas suburbs and neighborhoods like Preston Heights, North Dallas, or Lakewood which tend to have higher safety.