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San Antonio finds a home among America's top spots for retirees

In San Antonio, the pace of life can be as active or quiet as you prefer.

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Retirees still flock to sunny Florida, yet Texas is gaining ground as a desirable destination for retirement. In a new analysis from U.S. News & World Report magazine, multiple Lone Star metros rank among the best places for retirees in 2020, including San Antonio.

Dallas-Fort Worth ranks No. 10 in the U.S., directly followed by Austin at No. 11; Houston ranks No. 29, and San Antonio ranks No. 39.

To identify the best places to retire, U.S. News analyzed data for the country’s 125 largest metro areas to gauge how well they meet Americans’ retirement needs and expectations. Top criteria include housing affordability and healthcare quality.

Overall, San Antonio earned a score of 6.8 out of 10, notching a high score for housing affordability (6.8) but a low score for healthcare quality (5.5).

"San Antonio is as comfortable as an old pair of jeans. It offers big-city amenities and world-renowned attractions coupled with a relaxed and inviting atmosphere," U.S. News observes. "The pace of life in San Antonio can be as active or as quiet as one chooses."

DFW earned a score of 7 out of 10, posting a 6.3 for healthcare quality and a 6.2 for housing affordability. Austin also earned an overall score of 7 out of 10. However, it didn’t fare as well in the healthcare quality (5.8) and housing affordability (5.7) categories as DFW did.

Houston received an overall score of 6.8, with scores of 6.3 for both housing affordability and healthcare quality.

No. 1 in the U.S. was Fort Myers, Florida, followed by Sarasota, Florida; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Asheville, North Carolina; and Port St. Lucie, Florida.

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Ready for Harvest

New farmers market and yoga classes stretch into St. Paul Square

Photo courtesy of St. Paul Square

St. Paul Square is historic, but keeping up with the times.

San Antonians have a fresh way to pick up groceries and artisan goods at St. Paul Square with the addition of a new farmers market. It will be free to attend in the central courtyard every Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm.

Shoppers will be able to browse produce, handcrafted goods, and ready-to-eat treats by farmers, bakers, and artisans, according to a release. Suppliers will come from San Antonio and other places in South Texas.

This recurring event is just called the St. Paul Square Farmers Market. It's attributed directly to St. Paul Square, which is not just a neighborhood destination but an organization developing the historic district. Part of the purpose of the new programming is to support local businesses, as well as drawing in visitors.

The area was founded in 1778, and now includes all kinds of modern and retro attractions like the popular Francis Bogside bar, several eateries, 1902 Nightclub, and live music venue The Espee.

Donation-based yoga classes on Sundays from 9-11 am give even more to to do at The Espee's courtyard (1174 E. Commerce St.). They'll be led by Bendy with Lenny, and guests joining in will get to choose between a gentler slow flow in the earlier slot, and a higher energy class in the later slots.

“Our team is excited to introduce a series of new programs this winter aimed at enriching and uplifting our local community," said St. Paul Square managing partnerDon Thomas in the release. "We invite residents from across San Antonio to join us at St. Paul Square this Sunday to kick off the series and enjoy supporting local businesses as we enter the holiday season.”

The debut St. Paul Square Farmers Market takes place November 17 at17 Heiman Street.

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