Yep! We're Fixin' To Move To Texas

We arrived here at the North Texas Airstream Community (NTAC) in Hillsboro, Texas. Our primary purpose was to play a lot of Bridge with our buddies, Bill and Sue, who live here. We also wanted to look at available properties, which we had done in December 2005 during our last visit. This secure, gaited community consists of about 88 dwellings and several vacant lots. Of these, a dozen are lovely one-story homes with RV ports. The others are metal structures called villas that include many different, attractive, well-designed living units and RV ports. The residents own their homes, but the corporation owns the land beneath. This concept reduces the price of the dwellings and the taxes. One must be an active Airstreamer to purchase a share of the corporation and the dwelling that goes with it. Those who grow too old to engage in RV travel may sell their rigs and continue living in the park. The annual maintenance fee is $650 per lot whether or not it contains a dwelling.

We toured several residences for sale, but the one that finally captured our attention was the only one-story, brick home available. We agreed to purchase it on Gloria’s birthday, April 9. It has a central living area, modern kitchen, two bedrooms, two baths, large enclosed sunroom with a wonderful view, and a small extra room that may be used for many purposes; we will use it as an office. For our vehicles, our new home has a roomy RV port plus a two-car garage. There is also a large unfinished attic that holds many possibilities. It has a real stairway leading from the garage—not just a pull-down ladder. James and Golda (posing with us) built the home about five years ago, but maintained their primary residence 90 miles away. Health problems now preclude their owning two homes. They probably have not spent more than 100 days at NTAC since they built. Therefore, the house and quality Maytag appliances are like new, and the latter all convey. As a bonus, in the distance across a large field, we can see Wal-Mart, McDonalds, and Central Baptist Church. What else could an Airstreamer possible need? We feel truly blessed to now own this wonderful home in a safe, friendly environment with many fellow club members. The house went on the market only a few days before we arrived. We think the Lord designed and delivered it just for us!

We will begin preparing our newly remodeled Virginia house for sale in May when we finally get home. As soon as it sells, we are off to Texas. We already have our TX driver’s license, bank account and TX vehicle plates. Texas is rated right behind South Dakota as a best retirement state for RVers; there is no state income tax, nor do they tax our trailer and cars. We will be residing about three hours from our daughter Stephanie and her family (see last three Blog posts). We have not gotten to spend much time with these three wonderful grandchildren, and both they and we are excited that we will have more time together. Yesterday they visited us here at NTAC to see the new house and to celebrate Gloria's birthday. A favorite gift was the new Texas flag they delivered.

Hillsboro is strategically located about one hour south of Dallas-Fort Worth and two hours north of Austin right off I-35. NTAC is just one mile off the Interstate, so plan to come bask in the sun with us next winter! If you would rather stay in your rig, we have full hookups in our RV port.