All Aboard

DART’s new Silver Line rolls out free rides + festivities across North Texas

Celebrating the opening of DART's Silver Line on October 25.

Photo courtesy of DART

The long-awaited DART Silver Line makes its grand debut Saturday, October 25, connecting seven cities and DFW International Airport with sleek new commuter rail service designed for the region’s growing future.

Spanning 26 miles, the Silver Line links Plano, Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Grapevine, and DFW Airport, offering an easy, reliable way to get to work, school, or your next flight, all without battling I-635 traffic.

To mark the milestone, DART is throwing a region-wide celebration. Each of the 10 Silver Line stations will host its own Opening Day festivities on October 25, featuring live music, cultural performances, family activities, and community programs that reflect the unique spirit of every city along the route.

And the best part? All rides on the Silver Line are free from October 25 through November 8, giving everyone a chance to explore the line’s full experience, from Plano’s 12th Street Station to DFW’s Terminal B.

The new line brings state-of-the-art Stadler trains, complete with comfy seating, bike and luggage racks, USB chargers, and ADA-compliant boarding. With service running daily from 4 am-1 am, and trains arriving every 30 minutes during rush hours, the Silver Line is built for commuters, students, and travelers alike.

“This project connects neighborhoods, employers, and the world’s third-busiest airport in one seamless ride,” says Nadine Lee, DART president & CEO, in a release. “It’s a catalyst for economic growth and a step toward a more connected North Texas.”

DART board chair Gary Slagel adds, “The Silver Line delivers modern, predictable transit that works for everyday riders and occasional travelers alike.”

So grab your friends, charge your phone (don't worry, there are USB ports onboard), and hop aboard for a free ride into the future of North Texas transit.

Learn more at DART.org/SilverLine or download the GoPass app for schedules, maps, and updates.

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the golden years

Dallas rests easy on U.S. News' 2027 list of best big cities to retire

Cool Thursdays Concert Series at Dallas Arboretum

Photo courtesy of Dallas Arboretum

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Dallas is earning new acclaim on U.S. News and World Report's just-released list of the best U.S. cities for retirees in 2027.

The 2027 Best Places to Retire list evaluated over 850 U.S. cities based on six livability metrics that best serve American retirees: quality of life, affordability, health care, retiree taxes, job market, and population and migration. The top 250 finalist cities were then ranked nationally and by city size.

Midland, Michigan topped the list for the second consecutive year and is followed by Homosassa Springs, Florida (No. 2) and Weirton, West Virginia (No. 3).

Dallas ranked as the 21st best large U.S. city to retire for 2027, while neighboring Fort Worth ranked 7th nationally.

U.S. News said affordability is the "most considered factor" when it comes to picking the best place to live a low-stress retirement life, and that's what Dallas and its neighbors deliver. Affordable cities give retirees "a sense of security and comfort as they live out their golden years," according to Megan Wood, U.S. News assistant managing editor of home services and real estate.

"It’s no secret that affordability is top of mind for Americans this year, which is why U.S. News updated its weighting criteria to better align with what retirees prioritize," Wood said. "The 2027 rankings reflect key metrics used to highlight the places that
best suit retiree needs."

According to the city's profile on U.S. News, Dallas offers a lower cost of living compared to "similarly sized metro areas" and boasts a slightly lower home value compared to the national average.

"The national average home value is $359,870, while the median home value in Dallas is $354,396," the profile said.

Flower Mound is the only Dallas-Fort Worth city that appears among the overall top 50 best places to retire for 2027, ranking 43rd nationally. But it's a six-place drop from last year's ranking when the suburb last ranked 37th.

Eight more DFW cities ranked in the overall top 250:

No. 131 – McKinney
No. 174 – Allen
No. 190 – Little Elm
No. 203 – Frisco
No. 216 – North Richland Hills
No. 222 – Carrollton
No. 243 – Wylie
No. 246 – Plano

Elsewhere in Texas, Houston neighbors The Woodlands and Spring respectively maintained their standings as the No. 4 and No. 5 overall best cities for retirees for the second year in a row. The Woodlands topped the separate list of the best midsized U.S. cities to retire, while Spring landed 5th among the smallest U.S. cities.

These are the top 10 best large U.S. cities to retire for 2027:

No. 1 – Jacksonville, Florida
No. 2 – Houston, Texas
No. 3 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
No. 4 – El Paso, Texas
No. 5 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 6 – Indianapolis, Indiana
No. 7 – Fort Worth, Texas
No. 8 – San Antonio, Texas
No. 9 – Albuquerque, New Mexico
No. 10 – Phoenix, Arizona

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