I have family in the DFW area. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> My niece lives there, in fact 2 of her DD's are little Cowboys cheerleaders or something like that.

I also have a brother just across the OK boarder. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The one nice thing is that I will have a big chunk of change to spend since real estate here is so grossly overpriced.

I'd tell you what my place here is worth, but id make ya sick. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Who

I was in El Paso a little over a year ago... At Ft Bliss. I was there for about 12 weeks... From what I saw I liked the El Paso area too.

Houston... I havn't really been there but I've thought about living there after I retire... going to work for the RR...Housing is cheap there too. I was in New Orleans for 3 years... The climate is simular and you have to worry about hurricanes...

I'm in Philly area now... my BAH is 2000 a month... plus I get COLA.... it's expensive... I paid 237,000 for my house 2 1/2 years ago...

AUSTIN!!!!! The most awesome city in Texas! Everyone who comes here loves it. It's very diverse, very outdoorsy, lakes, a river running through it, hike and bike trails galore.

It is on the edge of the hill country, lots of live music, numerous festivals and we are smack dab between San Antonio and Dallas.

I could go on and on...

I myself live in the Panhandle of west Texas. Cant beat the people and the cost of living and climate, other than wind in the spring. But it is probably a place you would have to be from to really enjoy. My parents love to go and stay in Fredricksburg or Wimberley part of the Texas hill country (close to Austin). But be aware of the extreme heat and humidity. But has to be some of the most beautiful country in Texas and close to the big city of Austin.
Merlin2

Who,

I have a son that lives in Dallas and he loves it, but I don't! We won't go into the traffic because traffic is bad everywhere in Texas. But Dallas is the worst. I really think Dallas is more for young singels and couples than older people. The night life is unbelievable.

I have a BIL that lives in Houston. Again, traffic is bad but not quite as bad as Dallas. One thing you'll have to be able to live with is the humidity. It's really, really bad. They do have some nice lakes and some very nice suburbs.

I lived in Austin for three years. I always tell everyone that if you have to live in Texas then Austin is the place to be (sorry Mel). We lived minutes away from Lake Travis and it is FANTASTIC! We always made sure to take visitors there and it was always the highlight of their trip.
Austin is much more laid back than Dallas or Houston. There is plenty of things to do, including hiking, sailing, fishing and hunting and if you are into music at all you will be in seventh heaven. Cycling is also very big in Austin. Usually when people talk about nightlife downtown they talk 6th Street. It's great for the younger crowd, it's were the college kids hang out, but there are areas downtown that are more geared toward us older people. Lots of clubs and resturants and theaters.
The other good thing about Austin is that your centrally located. Three hours from Dallas or Houston and less than two to Waco, San Antonio or College Station.

Can't beat San Antone for friendly people, low cost of living and a mixture of small town atmosphere with big city conveniences. The city is the 8th largest in the nation (larger than Dallas), but 15 miles out of the metropolitan area, you’d never know there was a population center anywhere nearby. (One of the most critical problems a couple years ago was what to do with herds of deer wandering around in little wilderness areas inside the city limits.) Traffic flows smoothly (and quickly) around the city. Even our “going to work/home” traffic jams are quickly resolved.

There are half a dozen Air Force and Army installations in the metropolitan area, with all the Exchange facilities you could ever desire and a brand new (huge) commissary on Randolph AFB. There’s a major military hospital on Lackland AFB and the region’s doctors are familiar with Tricare and willingly cooperate.

The deer hunting capitol of Texas (Llano) is a couple of hours away and two of the biggest lakes in the state are even closer, along with tons of small rivers and streams for fishing. People buy inner tubes around here and float down the Guadalupe River for miles and miles of fun and sightseeing. If camping and hiking are your thing, there are dozens of state campgrounds and hundreds of miles of hiking trails within driving distance and the wilderness areas inside the city offer short excursions into peace and quiet. Retired Army officers might even be able to afford a small “ranch” in one of the estate communities up in the hill country within driving distance of the city’s business center. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

San Antone has a world champion basketball team and NFL teams chased out of their own cities come here to play professional football. We’ll be hosting college basketball’s “sweet sixteen” tournament again this year, and a couple of college football bowl games are played in the Alamo Dome. Oh, did I mention the Alamo and the other historical places of interest (the oldest Spanish mission in Texas, for instance) we have have here? The River Walk, along the San Antonio River, is a major tourist attraction--and a fun place to spend Saturday night.

We have horse racing at Retama Park, if you indulge yourself with an occasional trip to the track; a minor-league baseball team; and even a professional hockey team in town. The Dallas Cowboys, of course, hold their summer training camp here.

You know what? I can’t think of any reason why a military retiree, or anyone else, would NOT live here. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

LH

Thanks everyone for all the great information. Looks like Skirmisher and I are going to have to look around a bit in Texas once I go on terminal retirement leave in August.

Hey Longhorn,

I have spent time in San Antonio, did a couple of ceremonies at a place downtown call La Valita or something like that. Also was there in 2004 when my DD graduated from basic at Lackland. I did like the area.

Who

Austin, hands-down.

Military hospital 45 minutes away in San Antonio, and you get there by freeway only when you want to.

Shopping out the wazooo.

A chain of lakes going up into the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. You can fish, sail, kayak, or ski.

Weather that is unbeatable.

Live music capital of the world.

Two major universities - one in town, one south about 20 minutes.

Housing prices in the suburbs are fine.

You can live country or city, or 'burbs.

You just have to decide you can live with the Texans.


I've lived in Lubbock, and now live in a very rural area sorta-kinda near Austin.

Austin way betta!


(They say the wind doesn't blow in Lubbock. It only sucks.)

SB

SB,

My brother used to live in Lubbock. He was the GM of a radio station there.

FWIW, he married a Texan and all is well, plus I like her fine.

I have, a long time ago even dated one. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Didn't work out, but I think that had more to do with the fact that he thought going out to eat was a waste of money. NOW THAT WAS A RED FLAG! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Who

Another vote for Austin. I've worked there a lot and have some good friends there.

Its very fine, even finer if you're very wealthy. I have friends who live on the lake which is as lovely a place to live as I can imagine.

WhoMe, if you come to Houston, we must have lunch! BritsBrat and Charlotte live here too.

I agree that Austin or San Antone would be perfect for you. They are great places to live and are close to the bases in SA.

Mel,

Cool, we're on. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bob,

Well, I'm not wealthy, just financially secure. My intent is too not get another job but just be retired. Most would say that I am not old enough to do that, but having recovered from an affair gives me a different perspective on everything. I want to enjoy life, NOW.

Who