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Where to Retire: Boulder, Colorado |
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Where to Retire: Charlottesville, Virginia |
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The Snowbird Life for Me |
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Where to Retire: Asheville, North Carolina |
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Where to Retire: Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
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Where to Retire: Bellingham, Washington |
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Where to Retire: Austin, Texas |
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Where to Retire: Burlington, Vermont |
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Where to Retire: Brevard, North Carolina |
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Where to Retire: Bloomington, Indiana |
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Secret Life of a Snowbird |
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Is an Active Adult Community for You? |
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Times are tough: How Can I Retire Now? |
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Sperling's Best Places |
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Changing Lights at Home |
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Is Hawaii Truly the Ultimate Dream Retirement Location? |
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Where to Retire: Chico, California |
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Where to Retire: Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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Preparing for a Green Holiday Season |
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Where to Retire: Eugene, Oregon |
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Do Not Toss My Memories in the Trash |
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Where to Retire: Fayetteville, Arkansas |
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Where to Retire: Fort Collins, Colorado |
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Where to Retire: Austin, Texas
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Ed. Note: Where to Retire shares desired destinations for those wishing to relocate after retirement. Provided by author Warren R. Bland, these summaries offer a quick overview of the most desired retirement communities.
By Warren Bland
The University of Texas at Austin is the largest university in the nation and a major center of scientific research. It has attracted remarkable academic talent to Austin, served as a catalyst for high-tech industrial development and helped transform a formerly provincial and conservative city into a cosmopolitan, environmentally aware and progressive one. For decades, Austin has been rated as one of America’s most pleasant mid-sized cities and a pleasant retirement community.
Landscape: Austin occupies a gently rolling plain in south central Texas. The city is characterized by a dramatic rise at the Balcones Escarpment and a series of picturesque lakes fed by the Colorado River. Oak and hickory groves, separated by tall grass prairie, are the predominant natural vegetation.
Climate: Summers are hot and humid; winters can be warm and humid or cool and dry. Austin is frost free 270 days and sunny about 50% of the time in winter and 70% of the time in summer.
Quality of Life: Very good. The university is an enormous asset to the community, and the city’s outstanding network of parks, recreation centers and natural areas adds greatly to its livability. Austin residents are strong environmentalists who strive to preserve their high quality of life.
Housing: Suburban areas and attractive city neighborhoods north of the university campus feature a variety of housing styles priced below the national average.
Goods and Services: Groceries and transportation costs are below average, whereas miscellaneous goods and services and health care costs are slightly above average. Utilities cost more because of the high cost of summer air conditioning.
Taxes: State and local taxes are 7.8% of income compared to the U.S. average of 9.7%. Texas does not tax income and property taxes approximate the national average. Sales and excise taxes are higher than average.
Transportation: Most residents drive, ride bicycles or take the bus. Air, rail, and bus service are provided by Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Amtrak, Kerrville Bus Company and Greyhound.
Retail Services: Ample shopping opportunities, ranging from upscale boutique to 1960s funky, exist in the central business district and in several major malls and neighborhood shopping streets scattered about the city.
Health Care: Five major medical centers furnish virtually every conceivable medical specialty and service.
Community Services: Basic public services as well as those catering to seniors are very good in Austin.
Cultural and Educational Activities: Exceptional educational and cultural opportunities are available both on and off campus.
Recreational Activities: Austin and the adjacent Texas Hill Country are a mecca for the outdoors oriented and offer plenty of room for recreation and nature protection. Spectator sports are largely courtesy of the University of Texas. The city also boasts more than 100 movie screens and a good selection of restaurants.
Work and Volunteer Activities: Jobs are available in service industries, government, education and high-tech manufacturing. Volunteer opportunities are readily available.
Crime Rates and Public Safety: Crime rates are somewhat mixed in Austin. Although property crime rates are above the national average, violent crime rates are below national norms. As elsewhere, choose your neighborhood carefully.
Conclusion: Economically thriving Austin offers a wealth of resources for active retirement. The University of Texas lends a cosmopolitan air to the community. The city has an abundance of greenbelt, parkland and recreation facilities and is noted for the excellence of its transportation, retail services and work and volunteer opportunities. Austin’s beautiful site, warm sunny climate, good urban design and abundant amenities all contribute to a high quality of life.
Ratings courtesy of “Retire in Style, 60 Outstanding Places Across the USA and Canada” by Warren R. Bland, PhD (www.nextdecade.com)
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