Why This Pleasant Texas City Was Simply Ranked a High Retirement Vacation spot

Whereas some retirees envision settling alongside the shoreline, others are searching for an alternative choice to crowded seashores. If you happen to’d nonetheless prefer to get pleasure from a heat summer season, delicate winter, and sunny skies, it may be time to contemplate different up-and-coming retirement locations alongside the nation’s Solar Belt. 

In Longview, Texas, for instance, retirees are discovering a surprisingly reasonably priced retirement vacation spot with an energetic group centered round small-town appeal and pure enchantment. Situated in Gregg County, with a inhabitants of simply over 83,700, Longview is quiet sufficient to supply a calming retirement backdrop with out limiting entry to assets like well being care, leisure, and eating places.  

Value of Dwelling in Longview, TX

The final price of dwelling in Longview, TX is decrease than the nationwide common, which is a profit for these in retirement involved about managing bills on a hard and fast earnings. 

The median family earnings in Gregg County, the place Longview is positioned, is $64,809, about $15,800 lower than the nationwide median. Median month-to-month housing prices for the county are comparatively low as effectively, coming in at just a bit over $1,000 a month. Whereas the housing and rental markets differ vastly throughout completely different areas, Longview’s month-to-month housing prices are nonetheless lower than half the nationwide common ($1,017 vs $2,120 nationwide).

Even inside the Lone Star state, Longview is a comparatively reasonably priced metropolis in comparison with different bigger, extra metropolitan areas (like Houston and Dallas). Whereas the state’s median house worth is round $337,800, homes in Longview have a median worth of $185,800. That is additionally lower than the nationwide common of $419,200. For budget-conscious retirees trying to profit from their assets, Longview’s comparatively low housing prices and residential values will be a gorgeous possibility for retirement.

Well being Care and Accessibility

When deciding on your supreme retirement vacation spot, be proactive and practical about what kind of care, assist, and companies you would require within the coming years. As adults age, they are going to possible want ongoing medical therapy and specialised care. Round 85% of adults 65 and older have at the least one power illness, comparable to coronary heart illness, that requires ongoing administration and therapy. 

Whereas Longview is a comparatively small metropolis, it affords retirees entry to a number of giant hospital networks. Gregg County is house to 10 hospitals and 330 well being care institutions. 

By way of transportation, Longview’s choices are restricted. Proudly owning and driving your individual automobile could also be finest, contemplating the realm surrounding Longview is comparatively rural. You’ll, nonetheless, be capable to entry experience shares like Uber or Lyft if you happen to don’t need to drive. Taxis are additionally obtainable, however you’ll must make preparations forward of time and count on longer wait instances. In contrast to main cities like New York or Los Angeles, they aren’t simply accessible from each road nook.

The Longview Transit bus system runs a number of routes each day, besides Sundays and holidays. If you happen to stay outdoors the principle metropolis limits, nonetheless, you could have difficulties discovering a cease close to your own home or vacation spot, relying on the place you’re headed.  

If you happen to plan on touring typically (or plan to host household from out of city typically), bear in mind the closest airport to Longview is in Dallas, about two hours away.

Life-style and Leisure Actions

What’s a retirement vacation spot with out enjoyable issues to do? Longview has extra to it than meets the attention, and retirees could also be pleasantly shocked on the number of actions and group occasions occurring all yr. 

The residents of Longview have fun large in true Texas vogue, from its springtime rodeo lineup to the Nice Texas Balloon Race, Gregg County Honest, Fireworks & Freedom Fourth of July Celebration, and extra. Longview hosts celebrations, festivals, and occasions each single month, making it an energetic, vibrant group hub for retirees trying to get entangled and have some enjoyable. 

If you happen to get pleasure from a little bit of studying whereas taking lengthy, leisurely walks, you’ll need to go to must-see museums like:

Or, when the solar’s shining, and also you’re trying to spend a while outdoor, go for a stroll via the Longview Arboretum and Nature Heart. 

For these searching for a bit extra exercise in retirement, Longview is inside straightforward driving distance to Lake O’ the Pines, an 18,700-acre lake encompassing 9,000 acres of forest and land that gives prime alternatives for tenting, mountaineering, fishing, boating, and even chicken watching.

Like many different southern cities, Longview boasts delicate winters and scorching summers, making it an optimum spot to get pleasure from outside actions almost all yr lengthy. That mentioned, these shifting to Texas for the primary time ought to concentrate on the potential local weather dangers, together with tornadoes, extreme warmth, and wildfires. As a consequence of these potential considerations, FEMA ranks Longview’s local weather danger as comparatively reasonable.

The Backside Line

The Solar Belt area is house to many heat and welcoming retirement locations, however few supply the distinctive mix of affordability and leisure that Longview does. With its sense of small-town group, mixed with straightforward well being care accessibility, it might simply be a super vacation spot for these trying to get pleasure from their retirement in a quiet and relaxed setting.