According to the U.S. News rating, Houston is number 26 among the best places in America for retirement. This metro area has a lot to offer, and if you decided to give it a try, you are sure to enjoy your new residence. To make this move as stress-free and smooth as possible, you’ll need to do some research and preparation in advance.
Retiring to Houston: 4 Tips on How to Make the Transition Simple for Seniors
1. Be aware of the challenges of living in Houston
Houston is a great city full to bursting with activity and opportunities. For seniors, it’s a great place to get entertainment of any kind as well as benefit from well-developed infrastructure. Overall, it has all the benefits of being a major metropolis, without the overwhelming noise of places like NYC.
However, you also need to understand that Houston isn’t a perfect city. Living there has some challenges that you need to understand so you are prepared to overcome them after moving. One such issue is pollution, which can contribute to health problems of seniors who are more at risk due to their age. Traffic is one of the main contributors of Houston’s high pollution rate.
You also need to be aware that the humidity levels in Houston are high, especially during the summer. Heatwaves are also an issue, and as the monstrous hurricanes of 2018 showed, there is a real risk of natural disasters.
2. Choose senior living communities
The Houston metropolitan area is huge and sprawling all over the place. This means that you might feel rather isolated even despite living among six million people. Seniors who want to truly enjoy life and make new friends who will share their interests, should consider moving to communities where they can meet likeminded people.
Houston has a variety of senior housing options that can fit anyone. There are nursing homes and assisted living communities for those who require medical care and support with their daily activities. If you are full of energy and want to lead an active lifestyle surrounded by people who share your goals, you should look into independent living in Houston. This option entails living in a luxurious gated community with pools, putting green, spas, etc. This is an option for retirees who want to make the most out of their time and relax in a safe and beautiful place.
3. Have a car or a ride on call
That sprawling city plan makes it nearly impossible to get around Houston without a car. Therefore, you definitely should move here with your own ride. If it’s not possible you should find a way to get one fast and be prepared for the costs. The public transportation system in the metro area leaves a lot to be desired.
Because of the necessity of personal vehicles, Houston is one of the most traffic-clogged cities in the US. This means that you need to be prepared to spend some time stranded on the road or plan your schedule in a way that will take you out of all major roads between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. As a retiree, you should be able to do that with little trouble.
In case you decide to stick to public transport, you should be using METRORail. Choose your housing to be within easy reach of a station.
4. Plan your budget
Take a good look at the costs of moving to and living in Houston and evaluate your savings realistically. This is a reasonably affordable city, compared to the New York City or Los Angeles, but Houston isn’t cheap. Therefore, you have to be sure that you will be able to afford living here for years to come.
