Forget Florida, Retire To This Landlocked Dallas Suburb With Diverse Dining And Charming Brick-Lined Streets

Carrollton Square feels like a Texas town from yesteryear: On one side stands Main Event Plaza, a former movie theater that dates to 1949, with its vintage marquee out front. Nearby, a gazebo stands in the middle of a grassy lawn, and a row of shops includes the Elm Street Barber Lounge and Nature's Gallery rock shop. There are distinctly modern touches as well: A Texas-shaped sculpture has a heart cut out and bears the hashtag "#mycarrollton." The entertainment venue Texas Lumberjaxe offers ax throwing. And a historic grain silo, which rises 111 feet over Carrollton's streets, is covered in a floral-themed public mural.

This is the heart of Carrollton, a suburb of nearly 135,000 people about 20 miles north of downtown Dallas. Charming landmarks aside, Investopedia named Carrollton one of the 25 best locations in the South to retire in 2026. Here, you can expect mild winters, a diverse dining scene, and no state individual income tax — some of the same draws that attract retirees to Florida. There isn't a gator in sight, either. Per Zillow, the average house price in Carrollton is about $405,000, slightly less than the national average. There are trade-offs, though: Texas property taxes can be relatively high, summers are intensely hot, and much of Carrollton is easiest to navigate by car.

Like nearby Farmers Branch, a "city in a park" with historic charm, serene trails, and family fun, Carrollton is a livable location with unique character. The city is easy to reach, and the historic center is compact. Whether you stay for the night or for the rest of your golden years, Carrollton has a lot to offer.

One of the most striking aspects of downtown Carrollton is its brick-paved streets. These rust-colored blocks once dominated local motorways. Much of the vintage material has been paved over with asphalt, but you can still find original sections downtown. These streets are ripe for photographs, and they contribute to the old-timey atmosphere around Carrollton Square.

If you're pretty mobile, the dining in this sprawling community is abundant and diverse. 12 Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse in nearby Dallas offers churrasco-style meats sliced right in front of you, paired with an international wine menu. The popular local mini-chain Cane Rosso bakes traditional Neapolitan pizza and truffle carbonara, as well as shrimp scampi and other Italian favorites. Or there's Ramen Hanabi, headed by Takao Ito, which serves steaming bowls of ramen.

Carrollton is technically landlocked, despite its proximity to both Lewisville Lake and Grapevine Lake. Still, the city does have its outdoor experiences, including places to cool off in summer. The Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatic Complex has a splash pad, a 200-foot-long lazy river, and a "dump bucket" that pours 600 gallons of water. Animal lovers can take their dogs to McInnish Dog Park, disc golfers can pick from two 18-hole disc golf courses, and walkers and cyclists can explore the city's network of multi-use paths. Carrollton also shares qualities with Lancaster, another quintessential small city right outside Dallas with a historic town square and scenic trails. Retirees may also appreciate Carrollton's access to major medical centers and its relatively low violent crime rate compared with some larger nearby cities.

The Dallas metro area is broadly connected by highways, and driving is generally the easiest way to get around Carrollton. By car, downtown Carrollton is about 30 minutes from downtown Dallas, with plenty to see in between. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is also within a relatively short drive, so this city is a pleasant place to bookend your journey if you're flying in or out.

If you have time and don't feel like sitting in traffic, you can hop DART's Green Line from West End Station in downtown Dallas and ease down the rails to Carrollton in just 45 minutes. From there, you can walk a couple of blocks to Carrollton Square. This state isn't known for its foot-friendly layout, but in this respect, Carrollton Square is a lot like nearby University Park, Texas' walkable Dallas suburb with a quaint downtown, parks, and diverse fun.

For overnighters, Carrollton has a selection of hotels and motels, some costing significantly less than $100 per night. Chains are also clustered in nearby Lewisville and other Dallas-area suburbs. Prospective retirees will also find an active housing market, with hundreds of properties listed for sale as of this writing.