Before COVID wife and I decided once last child became self sufficient (if there really is such a thing) we would start looking to leave DFW and move to smaller town that would be our retirement spot. After being brutalized from work over the last year I told her I'm done at 62 (5 years) and now is the time to start getting those things in order. Finances are in great shape and can comfortably retire and wait out drawing SS at 66. Kids are grown (22/24) have good jobs and seem to be making their way, so that burden seems to be lifted.

Was making the move a big change/shock to your lifestyle, adjustment wise, grocery shopping, church, hobbies, finances, etc? Do you have regrets, or any advice for someone starting down that path? Did your spouse adjust as well as you did or not, etc..?

It wasn't a big shock to the lifestyle. It was what we had been planning and wanting to do. So it was fulfilling. There are adjustments with any move. We are coming up on 8 years since pulling the plug and moving to our retirement site in the country. But we had moved so many times over the past decades that this is the longest we have ever lived anyplace since we got married 34 years ago. That was probably the biggest adjustment for us. Just started getting rid of the moving boxes. LOL! The key for us was researching and then finding the place that we wanted to live for the most of the rest of our lives. We took about a year doing research, and then another year looking at properties. Probably the one thing that still takes a bit of thought and planning is for the "what ifs" that come up. The unexpected costs. We had to have a foundation repair, new roof, and exterior paint job all in one year. Was able to pay cash for all the jobs, but took a bite out of our emergency funds that one summer.

No real big changes and obviously I didn't come from the "Big City" but did move from a residential setting to the "dirt road rural acreage".

Not a huge change IMO as far as lifestyle if you don't mention the peace, quiet, and privacy. I had some background having moved from a residential city setting between my sophomore and junior years in HS to an even more remote rural setting.

Planning is the big thing. You don't forget something at the store and run back. Plan meals as much as possible as well as multi stop trips "to town". The outlier is when things break or need immediate attention (fixing vehicles or home repairs). Church just came to us.

My setting and situation was slightly different in that I knew where I would move to and then just had to fit amenities to that. Also I bought the "economical" ride for trips into the big city. Nearest WalMarx to me is 12 miles and specialty shopping can require 50,60 of 100+ mile trips.

I have no regrets . My wife wouldn't want any different setting but your mileage may vary (my wife came from a very small town out in BFE so already had the distance shopping thing down).

Yes, the what if's is the only thing... I can definitely see the biggest "What If" would be if a Grandkid materializes and Mamaw/Papaw (Wife & I) get caught up in that and decide to stay in city so we can be nearer them.

I’m basically in the exact situation you are in, I cannot stand it any longer. We are also discussing places to live, we have even looked at other countries although that really isn’t likely. One thing for sure, I will not be in a place that can get very cold again, that last blast we had sealed the deal for me on cold weather

Yes, I told my wife the same thing.. I said this last cold front just ended any negotiation on moving back to PNW.

We both of like the Bonham (Fannin County) area and been driving around out there the last 6 months. Covid kind of put a damper on the land situation, but it will come back as soon as the developers start opening up real estate around the lake.

We thought we wanted to move after retirement. Then the what if’s. 3 grandkids here locally and a fourth on the way. House is to large, but I have a green belt behind my 1/2 acre. Plus it’s paid for with the exception of the yearly raping on property tax. I dunno man. Grass is not always greener elsewhere. Good luck with your decision and choice.

I am in the same boat, just submitted my resignation and going full steam ahead on our Texoma Lakehouse build - our retirement house.

Congratulations and good luck with the house! Soon you'll be living the dream!

I looked at google map of the house we owned in San Antonio a couple weeks ago. They are building apartments (https://birdsongalamoranch.com/) in the green zone that was behind our house there. Really glad we moved now. But the main reason we moved was we were tired of the zero lot line living.

Did this the end of last year as well. Been pondering it for years and knew the city was not for me. I'm not retirement age yet, but planning for when that time comes. I had gone to Cleburne to look for some fishing spots and just on the outskirts of the population, I saw a for sale sign on an old farm house with a few acres of land. I plan on taking care of my parents as they transition into the next life, so a hospital nearby was a must. This place has a major hospital exactly one mile away and a lake nearby for me. Still haven't fished it, too much work to do right now. I think we're on the same grid as the hospital, because when the winter storm hit, we never lost power. Had propane for heat and a well, so never lost heating or water either. The seller was a real pain and it took us 6 months just to buy this place. So far, the biggest problems were... getting internet and remodeling. The wiring in this old house is so janked up, you cant run but an appliance or two at the same time. The wire is good, the people who "country engineered" the wiring is to blame. With the exception of traffic noise, this place is well worth what we picked it up for. Needs a little updating, but we paid cash and don't have a mortgage. My only other issue right now is going to work, which is still in Ft. Worth/Arlington. Time to look for a job (for me) out here.

To answer your questions...Not a huge shock to living quality. Major shopping is still 5 minutes away, hobbies have greatly improved and tractor time is a blessing. Make sure you can find reasonable internet around you. Mom had signed up for some RV internet service which was about $150 a month. Make sure you have a generator incase of power issues. Can't tell you how glad I am to be AWAY from the rat race. Hope your dream comes true as well.

I retired in 2016. Sold out in Houston and we moved to our lake house on Rayburn. The absolute ONLY thing we miss is the fact that we don’t get to see our grandson as often as we would like. We have settled in completely. Found a nice SMALLER Church in San Augustine and I enjoy attending my local Masonic Lodge. We have great neighbors, of which we know on a personal basis much more than our neighbors when we lived in Houston for 19 years. We enjoy our retired life and the piney woods of East Texas more than we ever enjoyed city life in Houston. And the fishing is way better too.

This is a really good topic, I have been try to figure out options for wife and I.

When I "slow" down around 58ish I want to have a local getaway , when I stop 62ish I want to summer in LaCrosse and Winter in Florida and come here in the socalled "spring and Fall" months.

we moved out of forney and bought 2 acres in Campbell, right before the land value increases. Built a metal home/barndominum. Best move we have made. Love the rural living. city is 15 minutes either way. best advice- get a generator and big deep freeze. otherwise, no worries. We have a tornado shelter inside the house, bolted to the foundation for added security.

We moved out of the Metroplex several years ago. Small town living is great. There a few minor negatives. Most small towns have good local doctors, but you may have to travel for a specialist or a hospital. Its a 45 minute drive for us to get to specialists in Tyler. Still worth it. Dining out may be more limited, but not a problem in you don't mind a little drive. Some towns are limited as far as high speed internet and cable TV. That is improving everywhere gradually.

We live in Mineola (pop 4500 or so), and love the East Texas lifestyle.