Top 10 Reasons to Retire in Tyler, TX

For many people, healthcare moves much higher on the priority list when choosing where to retire. Tyler is the medical center for a large part of East Texas, with two major hospital systems located close to one another near the city center. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital is close to Louis & Peaches Owen Heart Hospital, and UT Health Tyler also anchors the medical district, offering a broad range of hospital and specialty care. That concentration of hospitals, specialists, imaging, rehabilitation and outpatient care is a meaningful advantage if you would rather not drive to Dallas for routine specialty appointments.

Retirement does not mean everyone wants the same kind of home. Tyler offers traditional single-family homes, garden homes, gated neighborhoods, golf-course homes, waterfront properties, luxury homes and homes with more land. Buyers who want less yard work can explore Tyler garden homes, while those who picture mornings by the water can look at Tyler-area waterfront homes. That variety makes it easier to choose a home around the way you actually want to spend your time.

Texas does not collect an individual state income tax, which can be especially appealing when retirement income becomes part of the monthly budget. Texas homeowners age 65 or older may also qualify for additional residence-homestead property-tax exemptions. Property taxes are local, so the exact amount varies by home and taxing area, but the state tax structure is one reason many retirees take a serious look at Texas.

Tyler has four seasons, but winters are generally short and mild.  The January average low is about 32 degrees, while summer is unmistakably East Texas—hot and humid. The payoff is a long season for gardening, golf, walking, fishing and outdoor dining. Spring brings azaleas and dogwoods, and fall is one of the prettiest times of year in the Piney Woods.

Tyler makes it easy to stay active without turning exercise into a chore. Rose Rudman Trail is a shaded concrete trail that connects into Southside Park and is popular for walking, jogging and biking. Legacy Trail runs about 4.5 miles through South Tyler on a wide concrete path that works well for walking, running, bikes and strollers. Faulkner Park adds nature trails, tennis courts, a fishing pond and picnic areas.

Just north of Tyler, Tyler State Park offers an even bigger dose of the outdoors. The park surrounds a beautiful 64-acre spring-fed lake and has hiking and mountain-biking trails through the piney woods, along with fishing, swimming, paddling, birdwatching and camping. It is close enough for an easy afternoon outdoors but feels like a real getaway once you are there.

East Texas is lake country. Lake Tyler and Lake Palestine are both close enough for boating, fishing or an afternoon by the water For retirees who want outdoor recreation without planning a major trip, there is a lot to enjoy close to home.

Tyler has more cultural life than many people expect from a city its size. The UT Tyler Cowan Center brings touring concerts, Broadway productions, speakers and special performances to town. The East Texas Symphony Orchestra performs there as well. The Tyler Museum of Art offers changing exhibitions and public programs. UT Tyler, Tyler Junior College and Texas College add lectures, performances and learning opportunities throughout the year.

A good retirement location should make it easy to build a life, not just buy a house. The TASCA Activity Center in Whitehouse, just southeast of Tyler, offers recreational, educational and social programs for active seniors. Tyler also has clubs, churches, volunteer organizations, arts groups, gardening groups and community events throughout the year, giving newcomers plenty of ways to meet people with similar interests.

Tyler serves as the shopping and dining hub for a much larger East Texas area, so retirees do not have to give up everyday conveniences. The Village at Cumberland Park has stores, restaurants, services, fitness options and a movie theater in one large outdoor center. Broadway Square Mall offers more than 70 stores in a climate-controlled mall. Tyler also has a strong mix of locally owned restaurants, coffee shops, specialty stores and grocery choices throughout town.

Tyler has a personality that goes well beyond being a regional service center. The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden covers 14 acres and contains one of the world's largest public collections of roses. Spring brings the Azalea & Spring Flower Trail through historic neighborhoods, while October brings the Texas Rose Festival. Add the pine trees, brick streets, gardens and seasonal events, and Tyler gives retirees plenty of reasons to get out of the house and enjoy where they live.