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Is Dallas a good place to retire? Here’s what you need to know.
- 5 Reasons to Retire in Dallas
- Retirees have plenty of access to recreational activities in Dallas.
- Dallas retirees can take advantage of the low cost of living.
- Dallas has a mild climate.
- Dallas retirees have easy access to healthcare facilities.
- Dallas has a diverse population with a strong sense of community.
- 5 Best Suburbs for Retirees in Dallas
- 5 Best Retirement Communities in Dallas
- How much do you need to retire in Dallas?
- What are the benefits of living in Dallas?
- Are houses expensive in Dallas?
- Is Dallas a happy place to live?
Dallas is the 2nd best city in Texas for retirees, according to US News. It outranks Austin, San Antonio, and even Houston, but why is this the case?
Dallas is a good place to retire because it has easy-to-access healthcare facilities, a low cost of living, a mild climate, plenty of amenities, and a diverse population.
Let’s get into the specifics.
5 Reasons to Retire in Dallas
Retirees have plenty of access to recreational activities in Dallas.
Dallas has a total of 397 parks and green spaces, as well as dozens of recreational facilities such as golf courses and fitness centers, which could be appealing to seniors who enjoy being active.
These greenspaces provide a place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, birdwatch, meet and socialize with others, and can act as neat exercise spaces to keep you active.
Here are the parks in Dallas with the best amenities.
| Park | Address | Hours | Amenities |
| Klyde Warren Park | 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX | 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Every day) | • Art Plaza • Children’s Park • Dog Park • Eateries • Esplanade • Fountains • Pavilions • Walkways • Wooden Benches |
| White Rock Lake Park | 8300 E Lawther Dr, Dallas, TX | 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Every day) | • Bath House • Cultural Center • Bird Watching Area • Boat Ramps • Dallas Arboretum • Dog Park • Hike and Bike Trails • Kayak Concession • Pavilions • Piers • Rental Facilities • Wetlands • White Rock Lake Museum |
| Bachman Lake Park | 3500 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX | 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Every day) | • Benches • Ducks • Exercise Circuit • Fountains • Geese • Lake |
| Trammell Crow Park | 3700 Sylvan Ave, Dallas, TX | Open 24/7 | • Benches • Boat Ramp • Cricket Field • Lake / Pond • ParkingTrails |
| Reverchon Park | 3505 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX | 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Everyday) | • Baseball Field • Benches • Drinking Fountain • Garden Areas • Grill • Outdoor Basketball Court • Parking • Pavilion • Picnic Tables • Playground • Recreation Center • Sand Volleyball Court • Tennis Court • Trails |
Dallas retirees can take advantage of the low cost of living.
Dallas has a relatively low cost of living, with ACCRA giving it a cost of living index score of 100. A score of 100 means it is in line with the national average.
Housing, utilities, and healthcare in Dallas are 12.5% cheaper than the national average.
However, it’s worth noting that groceries and transportation are 6.9% more expensive than the national average.
For reference, here is an estimate of the average expenses for retirees in Dallas.
| Living Factor | Average Prices |
| Retirement Home | $3,600/month |
| Utilities | $300/month |
| Transport | $186/month |
| Grocery | $275/month |
| Fitness | $40/month (Gym Membership) |
| Healthcare | $6,374/year |
| Entertainment | $40/day |
Dallas has a mild climate.
Dallas has hot summers and mild winters, which may be appealing to some retirees. In winter, Dallas’ lows usually reach a maximum of 32°F while in summer, Dallas averages 88°F.
The mild climate may be appealing because it allows retirees to be more active and spend more time outdoors.
It’s also easier on the body, as extreme heat or cold can be physically demanding and potentially harmful, especially for older people.
Dallas retirees have easy access to healthcare facilities.
Dallas has 44 hospitals and 243 nursing homes scattered around the city.
As people age, they may require more medical care and attention, making easy access to healthcare facilities in Dallas favorable.
Dallas has a diverse population with a strong sense of community.
Dallas is the 4th most diverse city in the US, making it a welcoming and inclusive place to retire for people from all walks of life.
Retirees may value living in a diverse community because it exposes them to different cultures and ways of life, enriching and broadening their perspectives.
In addition, diverse populations lead to stronger communities, which can help make the retired life less lonely.
That being said, Dallas has a number of neighborhoods and communities that are great fits for retirees because of their strong sense of community, safety, amenities, and accessibility to healthcare services.
5 Best Suburbs for Retirees in Dallas
The best Dallas suburbs for retirees are Fairview, Southlake, University Park, Highland Park, and Flower Mound. They have a great sense of community, easy access to amenities, and are safe to live in.
Amenities include health facilities, public transportation, and home services like lawn care.
Compared to retirement communities, suburbs offer more freedom and flexibility for retirees. They can opt to live with their families and own their own properties, and there aren’t any house rules to abide by.
| Suburb | Population | Crime Index | Amenities |
| Fairview | 8,950 | 0.1 (Violent Crime) 6.4 (Property Crime) | • Fairview Public Library • Fairview Town Hall Park • Medical City McKinney • Stacey Park • Texas Health Presbyterian Allen |
| Southlake | 31,824 | 0.7 (Violent Crime) 11.7 (Property Crime) | • Baylor Scott & White Medical Center • Bob Jones Nature Center • Southlake Library • Southlake Town Square • Stonebriar Country Club • Timarron Country Club • Westlake Porter Public Library |
| University Park | 25,201 | 0.4 (Violent Crime) 12.5 (Property Crime) | • Caruth Park • Dallas Country Club • George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum • Goar Park • Meadows Museum • Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas • Snider Plaza shopping center • Southern Methodist University • University Park Public Library |
| Highland Park | 9,208 | 0.4 (Violent Crime) 21.2 (Property Crime) | • Armstrong Parkway • Briarwood Park • Highland Park Ambulatory Care Center • Highland Park Library • Highland Park Village • Northshore Highland Park Hospital |
| Flower Mound | 76,681 | 0.6 (Violent Crime) 9.2 (Property Crime) | • Bridlewood Golf Club • Flower Mound Community Activity Center • Flower Mound Performing Arts Theater • Medical City Lewisville • Mound Theater • Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound • Twin Coves Golf Course • UT Southwestern Medical Center at Flower Mound |
5 Best Retirement Communities in Dallas
The best retirement communities in Dallas are Edgemere, Emerson, The Landon, Highland Springs Retirement Community, and CC Young Senior Living.
These Dallas retirement communities have a wide range of amenities and health services, are affordable, and have a great sense of community.
Retirement communities are great for retirees because most of them double as nursing homes.
There are trained medical professionals and staff available 24/7 to watch over you in your golden years.
| Retirement Home | Address | Contact Details | Base Price | Amenities |
| Edgemere | 8523 Thackery St, Dallas, TX | 214-265-9100 | $2,550/month | • Fine Dining • Portabella Bistro • BellaVitaBar • Private Dining • Rooms and Wine Grotto • Performing Arts Center • Fitness Center • Heated Pool • Salon, Spa, and Barbershop • Cyber Business Center • Private Movie Theater • Library • Billiard Room • Putting Green • Greenhouse and Herb Garden • Courtyards, Gardens and Fountains |
| Emerson on Harvest Hill | 5550 Harvest Hill, Dallas, TX | 972-366-7374 | $1,500/month | • Free Transportation (10-mile radius) • Fitness center • Hair salon • Movie Theater • Library • Billiards • Skee-Ball • Dog Park • Auditorium • Church Services • Putting Green |
| The Landon at Lake Highlands | 8501 Lullwater Dr, Dallas, TX | 214-343-6400 | $3,370/month | • Free Transportation (10-mile radius) • Fitness Center • Heated Pool • Grille & Bistro • Champagne Lounge • Art Studio • Library • Billiards Room • Theater |
| Highland Springs Retirement Community | 8000 Frankford Rd, Dallas, TX | 972-232-8000 | $2,567/month | • Free Transportation (to local shopping areas) • Fitness Center • Pool • Professional Landscaping • Theater Room • Library • Classrooms • Concierge |
| CC Young Senior Living | 4847 W Lawther Dr #100, Dallas, TX | 214-827-8080 | $2,708/month | • Pavilion • Pastoral Care • Massage Therapy • Tech Classes |
How much do you need to retire in Dallas?
As of 2022, retirees need an average of $861,053 in savings to retire comfortably in Dallas.
Retirees that live in the suburbs can expect to spend $58,470 annually, while those that opt for retirement communities only have to pay a combined $26,700 in annual community fees and healthcare.
Retirement communities often include daily meals, transportation, entertainment, and home maintenance in their monthly fees. Most also have on-call nurses and in-house pharmacies included.
What are the benefits of living in Dallas?
Living in Dallas has plenty of benefits, including a booming economy, a low cost of living, a mild climate, accessible healthcare, and a well-developed public transportation system.
Are houses expensive in Dallas?
Houses are cheap in Dallas. The median home price in Dallas is $394,399 with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage average of 6.383%.
For reference, the national median home price is $454,900 with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage average of 6.64%.
Is Dallas a happy place to live?
Dallas is a happy place to live because of its strong sense of community, growing economy, and high standard of living.
Dallas is ranked 111th among the happiest cities in the US and 8th in Texas, according to WalletHub.
