In Texas, the land is as diverse as the people who live on it. Texas offers mild climates with rolling hills, coastal beaches, plains, grasslands, prairies, forests, mountains, bayous, canyons and deserts. You can visit Athens, Boston, China, Holland, India, Ireland, Italy, London, Miami, Naples, Normandy, Paris and Pittsburg, while never even leaving Texas. Have you ever wanted to visit Eden? It’s right here in Texas.

A recent study by the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement has reported that Texas has emerged as the number two retirement state in the nation. Texas achieved this designation because of its lower cost of living, affordable housing, stable economy and opportunities available for retirees to maintain an active lifestyle.

“Texas is putting out the welcome mat. We want individuals contemplating retirement to take a close look at our state and see the incredible opportunities Texas has to offer them in their new phase of life,” said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples.

In an effort to provide retirement destinations that will meet the needs of migrating retirees, the Texas legislature passed into law a certification program for communities.  The GO TEXAN Certified Retirement Community (CRC) program, operated by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), showcases Texas communities as retirement and tourism destinations. To become certified, each community must complete an application and a retiree desirability assessment. The assessment covers areas such as health/medical, transportation, personal safety, festivals/events, performing arts, recreation, continuing education, employment, sports, taxes and housing. Communities are also required to submit an assessment on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats with strategies to improve the community, as well as a long-term plan for implementing a retiree program. These documents are reviewed by an independent volunteer committee and scored according to the information provided. If approved, the community receives designation by TDA as a GO TEXAN CRC. Currently, Texas has more then 20 communities that have obtained this certification and in 2009, TDA hopes to double the amount of member communities.

Once part of the GO TEXAN CRC program, communities are highlighted on the official state retirement Web site, www.retireintexas.org. This site highlights Texas living and certified retirement communities with links to each community’s Web site. It also allows visitors to provide feedback, request program updates and receive notices as new communities become certified.

Each certified retirement community offers something special to those who visit and live there. Explore the proud heritage and special culture of Texas. You won’t regret the trip!