Retiree Initiative Offers Golden Opportunity
Published Dec 15, 2008
John and Sharon Martini chose to call Kilgore in East Texas home after retiring from the medical industry in Florida.
Some East Texas towns are getting older and are doing so on purpose.
Palestine, Athens, Longview, Pittsburg and Henderson all are in the “GO TEXAN” Certified Retirement Community Program. They’ve passed a rigorous review of their recreational amenities, medical facilities, housing options and cultural offerings. The 200-page application included data on employment and volunteer opportunities.
With state certification comes marketing power that targets demographic gold – retiring baby boomers.
“The bottom line is to make it on a short list, and hopefully people will check out certified communities first,” says Gus Gustafson, director of community and economic development in Pittsburg. “One study estimates $2.3 trillion in baby boomer discretionary income annually. It would be nice to get a piece of that pie.”
Texas is a popular retirement destination, second only to Florida, based on the ranks of new folks aged 60 and up relocating from other states, according to the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement.
“Texas is truly a welcome mat of opportunity,” says Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples. “East Texas with the lakes and rivers offers a fantastic option, with abundant golf courses, recreational hunting and fishing aspects. People look for multiple opportunities, and East Texas has positioned itself well.”
Palestine, with 18,000 residents and an impressive collection of historic homes, set up Web site
www.retireinpalestinetx.com as part of its new marketing effort last fall. The state website, www.retireintexas.org, has had hits from 23 countries.
Janice Burris, a local Realtor, says she and her colleagues already see retirees looking to relocate to East Texas from other states or other Texas regions.
Moderately priced homes, a lower cost of living, proximity to major metros, less traffic, natural assets and historic districts are among the draws, she says.
“It’s a beautiful place to live,” says Brian Malone, executive director of the Palestine Economic Development Corp. “Whether you want to play golf or tennis or kick back and fish or do things that impact others’ lives.”
Part of the idea is to draw prospective retiree residents to sample the region’s options, so East Texas cities are working together to coordinate tourism efforts.
GO TEXAN is in its infancy, but interest is growing. “The sky’s the limit, and we have a lot of sky,” Staples says.
Story by Pamela Coyle
Photo by Staff
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