Retiring. Where to live?

Doug4343's Avatar
I'm retiring. I'm stuck in Texas for about 5 years because my kids started college and I want to be here. However, I'm in the burbs and I don't want to be the older retired guy living in the burbs around young couples with youngsters.

I've had friends move to Fort Worth. But here is my question. If I wanted to stay in the metroplex, probably want a house or condo in the 700k +\- 100k range, I don't want to be on a bad area of course, but where would you move? What part of the metroplex would you move to?
Sir Lancehernot's Avatar
What do you want to have easy access to? What places do you like to go that you wouldn't want to be too far away from (in miles or time, taking traffic and growth patterns into account)? Do you want an urban environment, small town, or rural? What I might be interested in might not be what you're interested in, so it would help to know more about your particulars.
Ralph Fults's Avatar
Checkout the condos in Downtown Fort Worth.
TinMan's Avatar
Maybe you can give us some examples of places that appeal to you, but perhaps they are off the list for one reason or another. Personally, I want to stay right where I am, but I put a premium on being near family, which if they all moved away I would likely follow them.
Nina the Dicknapper's Avatar
flower mound/Lewisville is great peaceful area to retire
Unique_Carpenter's Avatar
Find out where your kids will end up. Maybe wait a bit until they decide
TinMan's Avatar
Find out where your kids will end up. Maybe wait a bit until they decide Originally Posted by Unique_Carpenter
I was going to say something similar, but decided to hold my tongue for the moment. I was on the other end of that with an aging parent who refused to move closer to kids. That became very tough in the end, and I swore I would never get so attached to my house that I refuse to consider what my kids will have to deal with trying to take care of me when I’m no longer able.
Unique_Carpenter's Avatar
Tin,
I still curse my ex for me being to far from my folks, and grands, to the point where I missed out on years and years of hanging out with them, and they are all dust now.
Nowadays I'm less than 3 hrs from my kids and see them every month. My daughter is actually in my old house.
Doug4343's Avatar
I've never done the urban thing. Condos scare me a bit as I don't know about the resale value. I've done the rural bit and I won't do that again unless I spent millions for a nice ranch and that's not going to happen. Downtown Fort Worth condos sound interesting but wonder how much I'd find myself in Dallas for concerts, sports,etc.
TexTushHog's Avatar
Uptown condo and nearby is barely in the price range if you are careful.
Joddxxx's Avatar
I've never done the urban thing. Condos scare me a bit as I don't know about the resale value. I've done the rural bit and I won't do that again unless I spent millions for a nice ranch and that's not going to happen. Downtown Fort Worth condos sound interesting but wonder how much I'd find myself in Dallas for concerts, sports,etc. Originally Posted by Doug4343
It’s expensive, but I would check out Turtle Creek area that’s close to Downtown Dallas. You have the walking trails, and you’re close to the concerts and sports events that you are wanting. I would suggest get an apartment for 6 months to a year and see if you like it. If it works out, then find yourself a small house or condo and enjoy your retirement.
TinMan's Avatar
I've never done the urban thing. Condos scare me a bit as I don't know about the resale value. I've done the rural bit and I won't do that again unless I spent millions for a nice ranch and that's not going to happen. Downtown Fort Worth condos sound interesting but wonder how much I'd find myself in Dallas for concerts, sports,etc. Originally Posted by Doug4343
One way to get comfortable with the condo is to research the condo association. Who owns it, who runs it, is it financially stable. Nothing is guaranteed, but you definitely don’t want to step into an unstable situation from the get-go.
Unique_Carpenter's Avatar
Tin is correct.
For any Condo, ask for their reserve study and the financials. You do not want to be hit with a special assessment for deferred anything after you move in.
TexTushHog's Avatar
It’s expensive, but I would check out Turtle Creek area that’s close to Downtown Dallas. You have the walking trails, and you’re close to the concerts and sports events that you are wanting. I would suggest get an apartment for 6 months to a year and see if you like it. If it works out, then find yourself a small house or condo and enjoy your retirement. Originally Posted by Joddxxx
Hard to do on Turtle Creek proper, but if you’re willing to be four or five blocks away, it can be done. Nice, nice neighborhood.
adav8s28's Avatar
If you have $700,000 to spend on a House or Condo I would think that Highland Park or Turtle Creek is where you want to be.