Did you know that Texas is the seventh most popular state for retirement? Our low cost of living, affordability, and culture draw active adults looking to spend their wonder years somewhere exciting. Moving for retirement requires careful consideration. Our needs change as we age. Fort Worth allows retirees to find the right lifestyle for them without sacrificing modern amenities and independence.

Choosing to move for retirement or during your retirement years is a significant decision. The home buying and selling process requires time and work. Moving all your belongings and keepsakes can add unnecessary stress to what is supposed to be a relaxing and freeing time.

However, there are some compelling reasons to move for your retirement, such as:

  • Your current area lacks the resources you individually want in your retirement
  • You need access to specific medical care
  • You want a different lifestyle
  • You're moving to be closer to family members as you age
  • Your fixed income requires a more affordable area
  • You want to bolster retirement savings by unlocking the real estate capital from your current home

What to look for in a retirement community

Before making the decision to move, even if it's just a few miles away, sit down with a trusted financial advisor and take a hard look at your finances. Factor in your long-term savings and market inflation. Consult with a real estate professional about your home’s current value and market conditions.

Another consideration is what kind of home and environment to live in. Different factors play a role in this decision, such as your current age, financial stability, medical situation, and personal preferences. Active adults can live anywhere they want or in a 55 plus community with all its targeted amenities. Some 55 and over communities offer differentiating levels of care, starting with independent living and moving to assisted as your needs change.

Looking at Fort Worth for retirement

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex sprawls across North Texas, with a collection of cities and neighborhoods offering something for everyone. That might be one of the reasons why the DFW is a popular destination for retiring adults. Retirees choose from a thriving downtown lifestyle, the quiet suburban life, or sprawling rural farms.

Wallethub ranked Fort Worth 25th in America for its diversity. They looked at five dimensions: socioeconomics, cultural, economic, household, and religious diversity. It’s easy to see where Fort Worth ranked well. To further bolster the case for Fort Worth, US News analyzed 125 metropolitan areas for their quality of life, the value of living there, and its desirability. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex was named the 9th best place to retire in the United States.

Fort Worth performs well in culture and economics. The cowboy lifestyle is prevalent in Fort Worth, thanks to a rich historic tradition. Even if rodeos aren’t your thing, Fort Worth still has a rich tapestry of culture, with modern art, nearby sports teams, and performance venues. The city’s strong economy is thanks to a range of Fortune 500 companies that call the area home. Housing is affordable and taxes low.

Why are more retirees considering Fort Worth for retirement?

#1- Climate

Our location in North Central Texas on the plains creates cool winters and hot summers. July averages a high of 95 and a low of 76, with 4 days of rain. While July and August might not be everyone's ideal month, our indoor activities keep residents busy.

The rest of the year the mild climate makes it easy to enjoy the great outdoors. May, June, and October typically are the rainiest months, with 4.2 average inches. January’s average high is 58 and low is 36. You're less likely to be buried under a foot of snow in the height of winter. No need for a snow shovel in Fort Worth!

#2- Healthcare

Access to excellent medical care becomes crucial as we age. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is home to several nationally renowned healthcare resources and medical facilities, such as:

For our veterans, the VA operates an outpatient clinic off I-35 West near Forest Hill. It's an operating arm of the greater VA medical clinic nearby in Dallas.

Even with some top-ranked hospitals, there's always room for improvement. The national nonprofit LeapFrog Group noted Texas has significantly improved its hospital safety grades. The group measures 28 points of publicly available data, and gives hospitals a grade based on its ability to protect patients from errors, infections, and accidents. Twenty percent of Texas hospitals earned “A” grades. See the full list of hospitals earning top marks.

#3- Taxes

Few states lack state income tax, but Texas is one of them. The total tax burden is among the lowest in the nation. All retirement income is tax-free. 

Local sales tax in Fort Worth is 8.25%, which is the maximum state law allows. However, retiring adults will be pleased to know of some exemptions to the sales and use tax. For instance, over-the-counter and prescription drugs are not included in Texas sales tax. Unprepared food at grocery and convenience stores is exempt. That means buying a whole raw chicken or a bag of apples is sales tax-free. You will pay sales tax purchasing a prepared deli sandwich.

Property taxes do tend to be higher than other states. Top Retirement says Texas property taxes are the sixth highest of any state based on the percentage of home values. However, residents over 65 who choose Texas as their homestead can get a tax freeze on school taxes. To see your property tax burden in Tarrant County, the property assessor has created an online tax estimator tool.

It is worthwhile noting that investment accounts, pensions, IRAs, and annuities are vulnerable to debt collections and lawsuits in Texas.

#4- Recreation

The beautiful thing about Fort Worth’s lifestyle is the access to incredible big city amenities without sacrificing a small town feel.

The arts and culture scene here is phenomenal. We have the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Opera, and the Bass Performance Hall. The Cultural District’s museums is one of the largest collections outside Washington, D.C. Not only do residents have immediate access to exhibitions like the Kimbell Art Museum, but Dallas’ museums and performance venues are within an hour’s drive.

The Texan experience remains alive in Fort Worth. The Stockyards preserve our roots by playing host to cattle runs and cowboy culture. Billy Bob's Texas nightclub remains the Honky Tonk destination. We are home to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. The annual Stock Show & Rodeo draws thousands each year. At the Will Rogers Memorial Center, the best in country music and western-style entertainment rock the crowds.

Fort Worth is equally beautiful outside, which is why annual festivals draw thousands to Fort Worth. The Annual Food + Wine Festival showcases the innovative dining scene found in our city. Panther Island Pavilion is a picturesque entertainment venue on the Trinity River playing host to concerts and festivals. It’s home to 5K runs, July Fourth, Oktoberfest and more. The largest annual event is the Fort Worth Main St. Arts Festival held in the spring.

For something quieter, visit the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. The grounds delight the senses every season. This beautiful destination is free, although its unique Japanese garden does charge admission. Near the gardens is the Fort Worth Zoo, a destination to entertain and delight the whole family.

Beyond the gardens, Trinity Trails offers miles of pedestrian lanes perfect bicycling or a spring day stroll by the Trinity River. The trails have offshoots, connectors, and trail heads spread across Fort Worth.

Fort Worth’s golfing tradition goes back over a century. The city runs four municipal golf courses. Our privately owned golf courses are among the best in Texas, with rolling hills, trees, scenic vistas and wildlife. These private clubs are historic venues and hosts to top-tier tournaments. Fort Worth’s golfing communities were among the earliest in the nation to offer homes on the golf course. Learn more about the best Fort Worth golf communities and country clubs.

#5- Transportation

It's true that Fort Worth is a city where most people drive, but the city does offer public transit options. The Trinity Metro Rail and Bus System provides access to key destinations in Fort Worth and beyond. Senior residents are eligible for reduced fares. Tarrant County offer transportation partners specific for senior resident needs; see all your public transportation options here.

The good news is the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is a major airline hub. Non-stop routes run to destinations across the United States and beyond. The airport is on the Fort Worth side of the Metroplex, meaning it will be a shorter drive to fly wherever you want.

#6- Affordability

Fort Worth recently ranked seventh on the list of most affordable cities to live and work. A major factor in the ranking is housing cost. US News report the median monthly rent in Fort Worth as $1022. If you’re looking between Dallas and Fort Worth, consider this: one different study ranked Dallas as the least affordable housing market and Fort Worth as the most affordable.

Over the years, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has consistently been one of the more affordable metropolitan areas in the United States. The Cost of Living Index has been published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) since 1968. This index is recognized by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in the US Census Bureau. C2ER offers a tool that will compare Fort Worth’s affordability to your current city.

#7- Housing

It's no secret the Dallas-Fort Worth housing market is hot. As more working professionals and top-tier industries move to the Fort Worth area, housing demand leads to increased median home prices and rental rates. In January 2019, overall Texas housing sales increased 5.2%.

The most recent local monthly indicators in North Texas are for March 2019. Median sale prices increased 0.8% to $261,173 and monthly inventory increased to 3.1 months--still favoring the seller. Remember, these are for the greater area. An experienced real estate professional can pull data on specific neighborhoods that match any price point.

Fort Worth Retirement Communities

It would be impossible to profile all retirement community options in Fort Worth. A sampling of Fort Worth’s most desirable communities to live shows our diversity of character and charm. Inside our neighborhoods, you’ll find new construction and historic homes, mid-century modern and Mediterranean revival architecture.

In addition to the diversity of single-family homes, condominiums, townhomes, and villas, retiring residents can choose from 55 and over housing communities. We would like to highlight a few of these communities to showcase the diversity of housing and amenities available in this market.  A greater list of living choices can be found here. We also recommend checking the Texas certified retirement community program, run by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

1- Overture Ridgmar

Located on the border of the Ridgmar and Westworth neighborhoods, these luxury apartments are designed for active adults 55 and over. The location is in close proximity to the Ridgmar Mall, supermarkets, and dining options. Downtown and the Cultural District is a short drive away. Overture Ridgmar offers maintenance-free living with one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans, nine-foot ceilings, walk-in closets, and gourmet kitchens. Residents have access to a 24-Hour fitness center, professional exercises classes, a putting green, and resort-style pool and spa.

2- Brookdale Broadway Cityview

This is a continuing care retirement community that moves from independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. The gated community has landscaped grounds with walking paths. Housing options include apartments or villas with a private patio and garage.  Amenities include concierge service, housekeeping services, and on-site beauty shop.

3- The Vantage at CityView

Another continuing care community with independent and assisted living. It includes memory care which is specifically designed for individuals impacted by Alzheimer's and other dementias. The Vantage has a prime location in the residential area of the CityView neighborhood. Residents are close to the area’s shopping and dining amenities.

4- The Waterford at Fort Worth

An independent living community, The Waterford offers a maintenance-free lifestyle. Staff are available 24 hours a day and support services help with different levels of care. The community offers events like karaoke nights, dining excursions, and exercise classes. The Waterford has a complimentary bus or car service to destinations within 20 miles. Its location is close to entertainment, businesses, medical care, and restaurants.

5- Trinity Courtyard

This is luxury senior living with a convenient location. Trinity Courtyard is designed for elegance and sophistication to enhance independent living. Amenities include a fitness center, salon, game room, and a 24-hour coffee bar. The apartments are one or two bedrooms with spacious floor plans and 9-foot ceilings. Some have attached garages.

6- The Resort on Eagle Mountain Lake

Inside the 540-acre master planned community is The Resort. Here residents have access to recreational features like the community's 18-hole championship golf course, a fitness facility, a resort pool, and a private boat launch. Housing includes golf course villas and custom homes.

7- Evergreen at Hulen Bend

This 55 and over community is designed to offer an array of fun-filled activities and the comforts of home. Amenities include a resident business center, coffee shop, library, covered parking, garages, and swimming pools.

8- Ladera at Tavolo Park

A planned adult active community, Ladera is inside the larger Tavolo Park master plan.  Residents will have access to all of the Tavolo Park amenities, with a few perks exclusive to Ladera residents. Its activity center will house a fitness center, multipurpose rooms, pickleball courts, and resort style pool. 

9- The Stayton at Museum Way

In the heart of the West 7th Cultural District is a elevated high-rise senior living community. The Stayton is committed to delivering 5-star amenities and high-end hospitality with an elevated address. Residents live close to the artistic and cultural amenities of downtown Fort Worth.

Choosing Fort Worth for Retirement

When looking at Fort Worth as your retirement destination, you want to work with someone who knows the community well. The Chicotsky Real Estate Group are long-time Fort Worth residents with deep roots in the area. We are committed to finding the right lifestyle and community to serve all your needs.