Is there any part of Texas where it isn't real humid? (Houston: income, live)

[Westerntraveler]

Midland/Odessa

[Texan2008]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

It has been extremely humid lately and Austin being at the 45% range isn't happening right now. The dew points aren't getting out of the 70 range. When it is and if the temperature is 95 degrees (definitely happens this time of year) with the humidity at 45%, that translates into a dew point of 70.28 and that is very uncomfortable.

To the OP: I live north of Austin and was walking last night at 8:30 p.m. The temperature was ONLY 78 degrees, the humidity was 78%, and the dew point was 71.6. It was miserable so don't let temperatures in the 70s fool you. I was sweating bullets.

Also, Texas has the highest homeowner's insurance rates in the entire country and the utilities aren't cheap either.

I also have been looking at Idaho for retirement and yes, there are sections that don't get all that much snow.

You might want to visit Texas in the summer before you decide. It can be beastly and miserable and usually is. Now, from November to early April, it's usually really nice.

Very good advice about visiting in the summer. I would always suggest that everyone visit the city they are thinking of moving to at least once and preferably at a time when the weather is the tougest. An example would be visiting a Northeast / Upper Midwest city in the dead of winter to see if you can tolerate the cold and snow for 4-5 months.

[Willsson]

Is there any part of Texas where it isn't real humid?

Seek elevation. Generally west of I-35. The more west the more elevation.

[High_Plains_Retired]

I live north of Lubbock near a very small rural community but Lubbock has excellent health facilities, at least right now. This may be in part because Texas Tech has a medical school. I don't know. I mention that the facilities are excellent now because the medical world is likely to be thrown on its head with the recent SC decision. My primary doctor (middle-age) is talking about leaving the profession entirely.

As far as low humidity, I write this as a swamp (evaporative) cooler runs in the window. Most of the time this summer on the Texas south plains, swamp coolers have been able to maintain at least a 20 degree differential in outside and inside temperatures. However there are some days when humidity (plus 50%) nearly shuts down evaporative processes.

I have to say that a move from San Diego to anywhere on the Texas south high plains would be a very dramatic change for anyone but I will wish you the best of luck whatever decisions you make for your retirement.

[TXsurburbanmom]

Well I used to live in San Angelo and it might work for you. Population 110k, humidity averages 44% although higher in the morning, several hospitals and I think the West TX Rehabilitate Center is there. I found it to be a friendly town and there are a couple of retirement centers there so despite the college and base it isn't all 20 somethings. Great community, low COL, and decent weather. Hot summers but maybe one small dusting of snow a year. It's dry but windy so if dust rather mold is an issue it would be a bad choice. Oh and despite what people tell you about the distance to Dallas, we were from San Antonio and the drive there was 2-3 hours. Plenty of big city shopping on the north side of.San Antonio

It's pretty conservative and when I lived there...Baptist...so it might be a drastic change from CA. Loved the small town manners despite the size. And the college and base made it more diverse and at least to me, seemed to have less racial issues then you might find elsewhere in a town that size.

[binkie99]

Thanks so much for all the replies! I will check out all the towns mentioned.

hoffdano, The cost of living in CA is very high and we really need to live somewhere in retirement that is more affordable. With CA's financial problems, which the politicians refuse to face, the COL is going to keep getting higher and higher. The traffic is terrible and that's one of the reasons we'd like to live in a smaller community.

Thanks for the chart Dave. Canine, visiting during the summer is the plan. We intend to spend time visiting all the places on our list.

Thanks again, everyone!

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by ddeel

Well I used to live in San Angelo and it might work for you. Population 110k, humidity averages 44% although higher in the morning, several hospitals and I think the West TX Rehabilitate Center is there. I found it to be a friendly town and there are a couple of retirement centers there so despite the college and base it isn't all 20 somethings. Great community, low COL, and decent weather. Hot summers but maybe one small dusting of snow a year. It's dry but windy so if dust rather mold is an issue it would be a bad choice. Oh and despite what people tell you about the distance to Dallas, we were from San Antonio and the drive there was 2-3 hours. Plenty of big city shopping on the north side of.San Antonio

It's pretty conservative and when I lived there...Baptist...so it might be a drastic change from CA. Loved the small town manners despite the size. And the college and base made it more diverse and at least to me, seemed to have less racial issues then you might find elsewhere in a town that size.

There is still the dew point aspect to consider. 44% humidity is very high when the summer temperatures are in the 90s or higher and makes for an uncomfortable dew point.

[TXsurburbanmom]

When I lived there it sure felt very dry compared to San Antonio and my allergies were ridiculously better. I have noticed in the last 5 years they seem to get more rain then San Antonio so perhaps it's different --although I thought I saw someone complaining about one of the lakes being almost dry here on CD so I assumed it was similar to 20 yrs back.

[bgrn198]

Originally Posted by binkie99

Thanks so much for all the replies! I will check out all the towns mentioned.

hoffdano, The cost of living in CA is very high and we really need to live somewhere in retirement that is more affordable. With CA's financial problems, which the politicians refuse to face, the COL is going to keep getting higher and higher. The traffic is terrible and that's one of the reasons we'd like to live in a smaller community.

Thanks for the chart Dave. Canine, visiting during the summer is the plan. We intend to spend time visiting all the places on our list.

Thanks again, everyone!

If you don't mind the heat there's Tucson or some of the small communities around Phoenix like Carefree,Cave Creek might be hot but it's low humidity plus your close to California for visits.

[Jimrob1]

Originally Posted by joqua

People tend to forget that property taxes are high because there is NO state income tax. The state has to get its money someplace.

As for retiring from San Diego to Texas, I would think long and hard about that. There are much better options, IMO, than anywhere in Texas. Far west Texas is very dry, but also very hot in the six months of summer there.

Idaho does not get that much snow in some places. I like Lewiston/Clarkston area for the fact that it is known as both the "Banana Belt" for its mild winters and "Idaho's Seaport" for its great waterways. Summer can be hot, but only for brief spells. Southern Idaho (Twin Falls, etc.) is very arid with fairly mild winters.

I would also look closely at places like Las Cruces, NM and Flagstaff/Sedona, AZ. As well as the more expensive Santa Fe/Taos area. Ruidoso, NM is also a retiree haven with very tolerable winters and mild summer temps, but at higher elevations than some older people may be comfortable with.

The New Mexico areas are attractive options and I don't know the OP's needs. Many retirees have to consider, how thier retirement incomes will be taxed. For many it is the make or break or where to retire. Many choose Texas because of the no income tax. New Mexico as far as I have been told, taxes everything with few deductions for many retirees. Beautiful state but not tax friendly for a retired person. Pensions even Social Security is taxed.