Who knew they were originally VERY much Democrats!  That was the case clear up until the late 1970’s.   Now they are a powerhouse of Republicans.   They joined the United States in 1845 and what they brought to the U.S. economy was the value of cattle ranching and cotton.  Today those are still large parts of the Texas economy.   Texas’ early economy was boom and bust with the double disasters of the Great Depression which saw livestock and cattle prices fall and the Dust Bowl which caused thousands to flee to the west coast.

Today the economy of Texas is diversified and booming.  Texas is internationally known for its energy, medical research and aeronautical industries.  Houston has the largest ship channel in the U.S and it is sixth largest port in the world.  Texas is home to the most Fortune 500 companies and has the second largest economy in the United States behind California.  It houses the largest concentration of research and healthcare institutions in the world.  It is also one of the top filmmaking states in the U.S after California and New York.  Texas also leads the nation in number of cattle – usually exceeding 16 million head and cotton is still the leading crop.  Texas holds one-third of the known U.S. oil reserve.   There is no personal income tax and the government is very limited compared to other states.  Their legislature only meets every two years. 

The state is located at the intersection of several climate zones.  There are three main areas – the humid subtropical of the eastern half, semi-arid of the northwestern and the nearly arid desert climate of southwestern Texas.  The state averages 139 tornadoes per year, most of which are in the western half of the state.

The political atmosphere goes toward fiscal and social conservatism.  The state also leans toward harsh sentencing towards criminals and leads the nation in executions. I think they really mean it when they say, “Don’t Mess With Texas”.

Culturally, the state is known worldwide for its music and theatre.  Austin has more music venues per capita than any other U.S. city.  Houston is ranked 2^nd behind New York City in number of theatre seats in a concentrated downtown area.  Houston also has permanent resident companies in all the major performing arts disciplines. 

Finally, you can’t talk about Texas without talking about sports.  You can’t miss their love of football especially the intensity of which they follow high school and college ball which can often dominate over everything else for socializing and leisure.  The Dallas Cowboys are sometimes referred to as “America’s Team”.    You can also find year-round golf, fishing and auto racing.  And…….never forget the ever present rodeos. 

We encourage you to check out any of the numerous active adult communities in the state.   There are a lot of good places to retire with more than enough entertainment activities to keep you as active as you want to be.

For a searchable list of over 160 Texas active adult and active lifestyle communities click here!   
 

7 Great Reasons for Living in an Active Lifestyle Community

The purchase of a home in an active lifestyle community is a purchase of choice, not of necessity. Here are 7 great reasons why folks choose to make that decision:

Reason #1 – Your happiness. Many developers go to great lengths to create an almost utopian lifestyle in their communities with activities ranging from sports, fitness, and crafts, to outings, dining and dancing. While those activities will occupy your time, in and of themselves, they won’t bring you happiness! However, activities enjoyed with a soul mate or spouse or the new friends that you’ll make in an active lifestyle community will bring you satisfaction and fulfillment.

Reason #2 – Keep on keepin’ on. Someone once said that to retire is to die! Perhaps that’s why developer Del Webb coined the slogan, Live On! While the ad agencies paint idyllic pictures of active lifestyle community residents occupying their time in pursuit of their favorite sports, hobbies and avocations, the reality is that some folks enjoy the day-to-day routine of the workaday world - and the camaraderie of their business or professional peers. Old habits do die hard! For some, an abrupt transition from full time work to full time retirement may not work, and that’s o.k. It’s perfectly acceptable to continue to work, be it full time or part time; you don’t have to be retired to live in an active lifestyle community!

Reason #3 – Your health. Health and well being come from more than just exercise! While many active lifestyle communities do offer a range of physical activities, just having the opportunity to recreate or participate together with like minded active adults in things such as hobbies, crafts, or cards will bring enjoyment and may likely add years to your life. They say with regard to the “grey matter” that if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it -and some active lifestyle communities even offer residents the opportunity to participate in college level continuing education classes!

Reason #4 – New friends. A large number of folks will choose to purchase in an active lifestyle community that is not more than 600 miles from where they raised the family. The friendships that were developed during those decades may seem impossible to ever replace, but once you live in an adult community, you’ll soon likely find that new friends will come easily.

Reason #5 – New beginnings. Life in an active adult community gives you the unique opportunity to meet folks in your general age range right where you live. If you’ve been predeceased by your spouse or soul mate, or have found yourself as the casualty of a divorce, moving in to an active lifestyle community may give you a whole new lease on life! Loneliness stinks, and you ain’t getting any younger…

Reason #6 – Have it your way… Many things have changed since the days when you purchased the home that you raised your family in… Different mortgages, different types of ownership, and different lifestyles are now available. It all adds up to having it your way, life on YOUR terms. What are your objectives when purchasing in an active lifestyle community? Will you buy your home with cash? Will you leverage your home with a mortgage? Will you seek fee simple ownership of the land on which your home is built, or could you be satisfied with a leasehold ownership? The beautiful thing is that there are so many active lifestyle communities offering wide varieties of ownership options, that you truly CAN have it your way!

Reason #7 – A time for YOU. A move to an active adult community may most of all signify that you are at last rewarding yourself for a job well done. Your entire life may have been focused on service to others, be it the family you raised and/or the life of work which you may have retired from. Perhaps there’s been a suppressed desire to take up oil painting or join a drama club, to tune up the golf game or volunteer your time and talents with a local non-profit…

If you’re reading this article, it is no doubt because you don’t yet live in an active lifestyle community, or perhaps you’re reading this because you’re making plans to assist a parent in their decision to make the move. With the onslaught of retiring baby boomers the choices, varieties and numbers of communities available have never been better!