Tyler Named Top Retirement City by USA TODAY
by Megan Riaz
The perks of Tyler keep growing as the Rose Capital was recently named the number one place to retire by USA TODAY.
With a strong medical community, low taxes, friendly folks, and affordable housing, what else can you ask for in retirement? Tyler also boasts lots of options for outdoor sports, golfing, fishing, and of course, barbecue. Tyler is a well-rounded option for those looking to relax and enjoy some of their best years.
One Tyler retiree, Charles Hill, shares what brought him to Tyler, and more importantly, why he never left.
“I never thought I would be in Tyler,” Charles said. “I had worked in East Texas for most of my career with ONCOR but had never worked in Tyler. My last position was as District Operations Manager in Paris, and I was very happy. We had good friends, and I thought I would retire in Paris and live there in retirement. But things changed when I was assigned to Tyler as the ONCOR Region Manager for Customer Operations. I was fortunate to have that role until my retirement in 2022.”
Charles and his wife, Debbi, married in 2022 and she moved to Tyler from Ft. Worth.
“I think Tyler has everything that appeals to retirees,” he continued. “Health care, entertainment, education opportunities, dining, and a beautiful place to live are some of the things that appeal to me. I have taken welding and piano classes at TJC and enjoy the entertainment options that the UT Tyler Cowan Center provides. My wife and I love to travel and the proximity to the DFW and Tyler Pounds Regional Airport are really convenient.”
Charles’ favorite thing about Tyler is the outstanding leadership.
“Everywhere you go you see evidence of thoughtful leadership with foresight to make this a great place to live. The evidence is clear in every committee, nonprofit, and civic endeavor; Tyler is full of great leaders.” In terms of leadership, Charles was an asset to the community as he served as Board Chairman for both the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tyle Economic Development Council.
Tyler was also ranked the best city in Texas in a separate USA TODAY Homefront study. It’s no surprise that it’s also the best for retirees due to its outdoor beauty, recreation, and the fact that retirees are exempt from income tax.
Charles also notices the unique generosity that establishes Tyler as a highly philanthropic community.
“Tyler has so many great non-profit organizations and all are doing well thanks to generous leadership and benefactors who give time and resources to make the community better”
Charles Hill worked for ONCOR Electric Delivery and its predecessor companies for over 49 years. He served in a variety of positions including customer service, human resources, distribution operations, and customer operations. He lived in 10 different cities and worked with leadership in over 100 different cities throughout the service territory. This broad spectrum of experiences gives him a unique sense of just how great Tyler is as a place to live, work, and retire.