11 Towns Perfect for Retirement in Texas
Texas is a state where many Americans find themselves flocking to as of recently. With its favorable tax rates and affordability relative to many other states like New York and California, it has proven to be one of the fastest-growing regions of the country.
Retirees should have no fear of Texas running out of space, as its massive size and development-friendly laws allow for room for seemingly everyone. Let us focus on more of what makes the Lone Star State a popular place for just about anyone currently in retirement.
Granbury
Granbury, located southwest of Fort Worth, is a popular retirement location for those who want to live in northeast Texas. This small community's charming downtown is remarkable, with its collection of historic buildings and locally run businesses, making it easy to spend afternoons exploring its streets. Downtown Granbury is also home to the Granbury Opera House, which hosts a variety of performances throughout the year.
Nature lovers can enjoy Granbury’s Lake Granbury. Located just south of town, this body of water offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and simple waterfront relaxation. The area’s numerous parks and maintained trails make it easy to enjoy the outdoors year-round.
Granbury is recognized for its affordable cost of living, a key factor for retirees looking to stretch their retirement savings. Healthcare needs are also met by the Lake Granbury Medical Center, along with nearby medical facilities, providing a range of services and specialties.
Kerrville
The Guadalupe River flows through Kerrville, adding to its picturesque quality and abundance of outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing, and hiking along the riverside walking trails. Kerrville’s numerous parks, including Louise Hays Park and Kerrville-Schreiner Park, only further add to its outdoorsy appeal and provide ample space for relaxation and exercise.
This small central Texas town is also known for its cultural amenities, including the Museum of Western Art, which showcases regional history and the creativity of the area's best artists, and the Cailloux Theater, which hosts live performances and events. Retirees can also enjoy seasonal festivals such as the Kerrville Folk Festival, fostering a sense of community involvement.
Kerrville provides easy access to quality healthcare through the Peterson Regional Medical Center and various specialized clinics. With this in mind, and its scenic surroundings, active cultural scene, and strong sense of community, Kerrville provides a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle for those seeking to retire in Texas.
Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is a highly sought-after choice for retirees seeking a peaceful yet vibrant environment in central Texas. Known for its German heritage, the town features wonderful European-inspired architecture, a plethora of historic sites, and a variety of local festivals that celebrate its cultural roots. Retirees can also explore a range of art galleries in the dowtown area, visit the National Museum of the Pacific War, or stroll through the town's picturesque Main Street, where a wide variety of cafes and shops can be found.
The surrounding landscape offers retirees numerous opportunities for outdoor activities at a variety of skill levels, including hiking, scenic drives, and visits to the area's acclaimed wineries, many of which pair excellent wines with beautiful views of the region's rolling landscapes. To top it off, Fredericksburg’s mild climate makes it ideal for year-round enjoyment of its natural beauty.
Canton
Canton, another idyllic community in Eastern Texas, offers retirees a slower pace of life while still being somewhat near the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
It is renowned by many visitors and residents for its First Monday Trade Days, one of the largest flea markets in the United States This lively event adds a local charm and social activity for retirees who enjoy exploring local businesses and meeting new people in the community.
Canton is also notable for its scenic surroundings, including nearby lakes and parks that provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and birdwatching. Golf is another big pass time here, with no shortage of land and a mild climate that supports popular courses like Van Zandt Country Club or Cedar Creek Country Club on the nearby shores of the Cedar Creek Reservoir.
Burnet
Many refer to Burnet as the "Bluebonnet Capital of Texas" due to the fields of the brilliantly blue wildflowers that grow in the area around it. In spring when the bluebonnets bloom, the town hosts the famous Bluebonnet Festival, a unique tradition in Texas featuring a parade, local vendors, and other activities celebrating the gorgeous plant.
Burnet is clearly a laid back town that loves it nature, and its proximity to Lake Buchanan and Inks Lake State Park makes it even a haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. The town also serves as the gateway to the Highland Lakes, a chain of reservoirs that are perfect for swimming and hiking along its shores.
Burnet’s historic downtown features locally-owned shops, eateries, and the 1885 Burnet County Courthouse, a stunning centerpiece of the town square with a nice greenspace around it. The Highland Lakes Air Museum and Fort Croghan Museum are other spots that will give you a historic look into the area’s rich history.
Boerne
Boerne attracts many with its historic downtown, known as the Hill Country Mile, which is full of all the amenities one could want all within a walkable setting. With a number of great cafes and greenspaces like Main Plaza Park and the Cibolo Creek Trails located along the stretch, it is an ideal place to go for daily walks.
Those looking for a more active lifestyle can also take advantage of the nearby Cibolo Nature Center and Boerne City Lake Park, both ways to go hiking and birdwatching, and other opportunities to connect with the outdoors. The area’s mild climate allows for year-round outdoor enjoyment, from scenic drives through the hilly countryside to fishing in nearby creeks and lakes.
Boerne also provides retirees with access to high-quality healthcare, with local clinics and proximity to larger medical centers in San Antonio, less than 30 minutes away.
Rockport
The town of Rockport sits along the Texas Gulf Coast, making it a prime destination for vacationers and retirees alike. Best known for its waterfront and huge selection of nearby pristine beaches, this is the place for anyone looking to soak up lots of sun during their time off. Rockport Beach, Texas’ first Blue Wave Beach, a designation given for its effort in making the beach as clean as possible for human use and local wildlife.
Rockport is a top-tier destination for fishing enthusiasts and birdwatchers too, and if this describes you, you will inevitably find plenty to enjoy at nearby sites like Goose Island State Park and the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, home to the endangered whooping crane.
Healthcare is accessible through local clinics and nearby medical facilities Christi, is located less than 40 minutes away, making it a great place for those with health concerns who want to best of small-town life and the amenities of bigger cities within reach.
Bandera
Known as the "Cowboy Capital of the World," Bandera gives off a distinctly Western vibe that draws in those who truly want to live the Texas lifestyle. Bandera is an excellent destination for retirees who appreciate a connection to Texas’ storied past and a peaceful Hill Country setting.
Hill Country State Natural Area, just outside of town, is perfect for hiking, horseback riding, and immersing yourself in nature while Bandera's core downtown is steeped in cowboy culture, with authentic honky-tonks, local boutiques, and Western-themed restaurants around every corner. Events like the weekly cowboy breakfast and live music performances make it a lively yet relaxed place to enjoy retirement, and the Frontier Times Museum is the place to go to learn more about the area’s history, while seasonal rodeos and festivals also add to its charm.
Llano
Llano is a town known for its unique arts and music scene, with venues like the Lantex Theater hosting live music and other acts regularly. Excellent local galleries like Llano Fine Arts Guild and Gallery and Grid Iron Gallery are open for business too, displaying and selling works from local artists.
It is also a place that appeals to those who love the outdoors, with the Llano River running through the town, offering great views and ways to go fishing, boating, and hiking along riverside pathways. Badu Park, located along the river, is a popular spot for outdoor gatherings as many of the favorite local trails begin here.
Llano also has a rich history, which can be explored at the Llano County Historical Museum, and is home to the iconic Llano County Courthouse, a striking example of 19th-century Western architecture.
Although somewhat remote, Llano also comes with convenient healthcare facilities, named Mid Coast Medical Center Central.
Wimberley
Wimberley is an ideal retirement destination for those who want a blend of nature while being near several useful nearby services. Healthcare facilities are available locally, with larger medical facilities in nearby San Marcos and Austin.
The town is famed for its scenic landscapes, with highlights like Blue Hole Regional Park and Jacob’s Well Natural Area offering pristine swimming spots, hiking trails, and shaded areas to relax in the often hot Texas summers.
Wimberley’s cultural scene is equally engaging for retirees of all kinds. The Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance, for example, sponsors art walks and other fun events, while the monthly Wimberley Market Days—the second-largest in Texas—provides a lively setting to browse crafts, antiques, and local goods.
Alpine
Tucked in the mountains of West Texas, Alpine is a peaceful and unique town surrounded by the picturesque Davis Mountains. The town attracts all sorts of people with its rugged yet wonderful landscapes, popular for those looking to hike, stargazing in its skies that lack light pollution, and wildlife observation.
Nearby Big Bend National Park and Davis Mountains State Park make Alpine a gateway to some of Texas’ most breathtaking natural wonders. The Museum of the Big Bend showcases the area’s history, and can easily occupy fans of geology and natural history for days on end.
Even with its appeal to high-energy visitors and younger demographics to its post-secondary institutions, Alpine also offers accessible healthcare for older retirees through local clinics and regional hospitals in neighboring towns like Fort Stockton. The low cost of living, coupled with a welcoming and relaxed environment make it a great town in Texas to live in for all.
Live Easy After Retirement in Texas
From favorable tax benefits to affordable housing and tons of great amenities spread throughout, Texas is surely one of the best places in the United States to retire to. With some of the best healthcare facilities in the country to top it off, you can live rest assured here that your needs while possibly going into old age can be taken care of.
Do any of these towns have you contemplating moving south after retirement?
