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

[binkie99]

Is there any place in Texas where the weather isn't real humid? Hubby and I have been looking at Idaho to retire but are concerned about the amount of snow there, so thought we'd take a look at Texas too.

Also, property taxes seem high in Texas. Are there any help for seniors?

Thanks!

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by binkie99

Is there any place in Texas where the weather isn't real humid? Hubby and I have been looking at Idaho to retire but are concerned about the amount of snow there, so thought we'd take a look at Texas too.

Also, property taxes seem high in Texas. Are there any help for seniors?

Thanks!

Do ya like heat? The drier areas of Texas are typically found in West Texas. Amarillo, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, and El Paso are all fairly dry and very toasty during the summer. Amarillo and Lubbock also get blasted by snow from time-to-time.

If you don't mind living out in BFE there are probably some folks who'll recommend Alpine, Fort Davis, and Marfa to you.

Property taxes in Texas are fairly high. The state does offer a homestead exemption as well as an over 65 exemption on property taxes.

[hoffdano]

What do you think is humid? Where have you been that you thought it was humid?

Texas is less humid than the east coast. It is less humid than the gulf coast, though Houston is not much different from New Orleans.

Austin's summer climate starts in the morning with a fair amount of humidity and finishes the day around 45%. Most of Texas is less humid than Atlanta for example. Dallas is about the same.

Property tax rates in Texas are higher than most parts of the US. But since your property tax bill is dependent on the value of your home the actual money spend on property taxes may not be so high depending on how expensive of a home you have. On a national scale homes in Texas are more affordable. A typical property tax rate in Texas is 2.5% of assessed value. People over 65 in most parts of Texas have an over 65 exemption that freezes the assessed value used to calculate school taxes. That is usually the single largest part of your property tax bill.

[binkie99]

Thanks for answering bluescreen and huffdano!

We live inland from San Diego. It gets pretty warm in summer but low humidity. We've been to Florida and thought our armpits were going to rot, it was so humid.

Hubby and I are NOT looking to bring California ways with us. We believe in "live and let live."

We'd like a smaller community but not too far from medical facilities.

[Cowboybootnut]

Ft. Davis or Alpine, I like BFE.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Cowboybootnut

Ft. Davis or Alpine, I like BFE.

Me, too.....LOL!!

[binkie99]

Thanks cowboyboot and Cathy!

[TxBlackSheep]

Originally Posted by binkie99

We'd like a smaller community but not too far from medical facilities.

Midland is dry and is finishing up a new and pretty good sized hospital facility. Anyone in the surrounding areas in need of medical help is sent there as well.

[joqua]

Originally Posted by binkie99

Is there any place in Texas where the weather isn't real humid? Hubby and I have been looking at Idaho to retire but are concerned about the amount of snow there, so thought we'd take a look at Texas too.

Also, property taxes seem high in Texas. Are there any help for seniors?

Thanks!

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.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by Cowboybootnut

Ft. Davis or Alpine, I like BFE.

Keep in mind those cities are extremely remote and do not have decent hospitals. If either of you needs care, you will be going hundreds of miles away to Midland/Odessa or El Paso.