Retiring From Hawaii to Texas: Steve & Becky's First-Time Home Buying Story in Justin, TX

Steve and Becky spent their entire lives in Hawaii. When it came time to retire, they made a decision that surprised everyone — they packed up and moved to Texas. A state Becky had never even visited.

Their goal was simple: bring the family back together. With a son in Texas, daughters in Vegas and Hawaii, and two sons in Washington, the DFW area became the ideal place to settle. Texas offered the economics, the space, and the central location to make retirement work.

December 31st was Becky's first time ever setting foot in Texas. Days later, they found their forever home.

Watch Steve & Becky's Full Story Below:

Why They Chose Texas for Retirement

For Steve and Becky, the decision came down to family and finances. Hawaii's cost of living made retirement difficult. Texas offered affordable housing, no state income tax, and a central location where their kids could visit from across the country.

"We really contemplated about it and really looked into different locations," Steve explained. "Texas did definitely come up and one of the economically good places to retire."

For Becky, it was harder. She had lived in Hawaii her entire life. But the pull of family won out.

"Moving here will allow us to retire and get to enjoy just life being with our kids."

How New Construction Changed Everything

When they first started looking at homes, Steve picked a small city off the map and began touring older resale properties. The maintenance, upkeep, and remodeling costs quickly added up.

Then they toured new construction homes, and everything changed.

"I just thought Wow this is it. I hardly have to do anything. It's move in ready."

They looked at several new construction communities across the DFW area. The last house they toured — house number 14 — was the one they both fell in love with.

Why Justin, TX Was the Perfect Fit

Coming from Hawaii, the Texas driving distances were a culture shock. A 43-minute drive between cities felt enormous compared to their 20-minute commute back home.

But Justin, TX turned out to be exactly what they needed.

"It's far enough out but it's not too far out. It's the perfect location for us."

Justin is a small, growing community in Denton County. It offers the quiet, country feel of rural Texas while still being accessible to the rest of the DFW Metroplex. For retirees looking to get out of the city without being isolated, Justin checks every box.

The Moment They Found Their Forever Home

It was their last day of house hunting. The last property on the list. They walked in and both knew immediately.

"We just thought together — hey, this is the house. It's plenty big enough for us and our family and our friends to come and visit."

Becky was already envisioning the layout:

"This could be our craft room. This could be this room. And then you come into the living room and you start envisioning where you would put the couch. Everything just fell into place and it just worked."

The home had everything on their checklist: master bedroom on the first floor, extra bedrooms upstairs for visiting family and friends, high ceilings, a fireplace (something 99% of Hawaii homes don't have), and a garage in the back for clean curb appeal.

First-Time Home Buyer Tips From Steve & Becky

Even though they bought their home at retirement age, Steve and Becky were first-time home buyers. Here is what they learned from the experience:

• "Never buy the first house you see." — Steve's number one piece of advice. "Always shop around. Look at the house, look at the area, the community, the city you want to live in."
• "Keep an open mind." — Steve didn't want new construction at first. One tour changed his mind completely. He dropped the idea of resale homes after seeing what new builds offered.
• "Know your non-negotiables." — For Steve and Becky, a master bedroom on the first floor was a must. They found a two-story home that gave them that plus extra space upstairs.
• "Trust the process." — Becky loved the very first house they saw. But they kept looking. House number 14 on their last day was the one. "The feel of it walking in was different. And we drove away going — yeah, that's the house."
• "Work with an agent who listens." — Becky changed her mind multiple times about what she wanted. Having a patient agent who listened and adapted made all the difference.

What Surprised Them About Texas

Moving from Hawaii to Texas comes with some culture shock. Here is what caught Steve and Becky off guard:

• The driving distances. Getting from Grapevine to Justin took about 43 minutes. In Hawaii, their entire commute was 20-25 minutes. Texas distances take some getting used to.
• Fireplaces. Becky had never lived in a house with a fireplace. "I was already bringing pictures of our family. I was going to come and put it on the mantle. It already felt like home."
• Closet sizes. The closets in their new Texas home are bigger than some bedrooms back in Hawaii. The storage space was a welcome surprise.
• Garage living. Having a garage was completely new. In Hawaii, most people they knew used garages for storage. Their new home has enough built-in storage that they can actually park their cars inside.

Thinking About Relocating to DFW?

Steve and Becky's story is proof that it's never too late to make a big move. Whether you're retiring from another state, buying your first home, or looking for new construction in the DFW area, the right guidance makes all the difference.

If you're considering a move to Justin, Denton County, or anywhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, I'd love to help you find your forever home too.

Contact VJ at Everkin Realty Group:

Phone: 214-727-6680

Email: vj@everkinrealtygroup.com

Website: EverKinRealtyGroup.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Justin, TX a good place to retire?

Yes. Justin is a small, growing community in Denton County that offers affordable new construction homes, a quiet country atmosphere, and easy access to the rest of the DFW Metroplex. It's far enough from the city for peace and quiet but close enough for convenience.

Can you buy a home in Texas as a first-time buyer from out of state?

Absolutely. Steve and Becky bought their first home in Texas while relocating from Hawaii. Working with a local real estate agent who knows the DFW market makes the process smooth, even if you've never been to Texas before.

Is new construction better than resale for first-time buyers?

It depends on your priorities. Steve and Becky initially looked at resale homes but switched to new construction because it was move-in ready with no maintenance, remodeling, or upkeep required. New construction in the DFW area also offers modern layouts and builder warranties.

How many homes should you look at before buying?

Steve and Becky looked at 14 homes before finding theirs. Their advice: never buy the first house you see. Shopping around helps you understand what you actually want and ensures you find the right fit.

What should retirees look for in a Texas home?

Steve and Becky prioritized a master bedroom on the first floor so they wouldn't need to climb stairs daily. They also wanted enough guest bedrooms for family visits, a community with a small-town feel, and a home that was move-in ready with minimal maintenance.