9 Senior-Friendly Towns in Texas
Texas is already known to be one of the most welcoming places in the United States. The epitome of Southern Hospitality, Texans are sure to go the extra mile to make sure newcomers are feeling right at home. The warm weather and low taxes of Texas have made it an attractive place for the elderly to settle down and retire. In 2020 alone nearly 600,000 people made the move to Texas.
Fredericksburg
Right in the heart of Texas is the great small town of Fredericksburg. Only an hour and a half drive west of Austin, Fredericksburg is a charming place filled with a rich history and a robust cultural scene to boot. Housing here is somewhat on the high side but it's worth it. The average home cost around $543,021.
The Pioneer Museum and the old Fort Martin Scott are just a few ways you can peer into the Old West past of Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg has a population of around 11,000 people so it's small enough to be quiet, but just large enough to have all the amenities that you would expect to see in a small city.
DeCordova
A small community located just southwest of Dallas, DeCordova is a small and tight-knit community that looks after its own. Nestled right along the tranquil Lake Granbury, DeCordova is the perfect place to retire if you want to escape the noise of the city.
The DeCordova Bend Country Club is the town's standout attraction. If you already play golf or are thinking of getting into the hobby, this place is for you. Some stellar breweries can be found just outside of town. A home in DeCordova is going to cost $372,500 on average.
Lago Vista
The town of Lago Vista is a somewhat insular community that is located northwest of Austin. Situated right along the Colorado River and Lake Travis, moving here is a great idea if you want to spend your retirement out on the water.
The town is home to a few high-end golf courses as well. Just across the river is the charming Pace Bend Park, a great place to go for long walks or even camp the night. A home in Lago Vista is going to cost $424,700.
Raymondville
Raymondville is a small farming community of roughly 10,000 people located just an hour north of the Mexican border. Nearly 12% of the population is over the age of 65, most of whom congregate at the Raymondville Country Club.
The locals here are more than welcoming to outsiders. Historically, the town does not get many visitors but that has started to change. The peaceful nature of Raymondville and its close proximity to the border and coast has been too much for some to pass up. Living here is cheap too. An average Raymondville home costs $91,677.
Robstown
Robstown can be found just a short drive west of Corpus Christi. If you plan on spending your retirement on the beach or going on excursions south of the border, Robstown is the perfect base of operations to do so.
Nearly 30% of the 10,000 people living in Robstown are seniors, most of whom can be found in the many churches throughout town. There are plenty of great restaurants too, make sure to stop by a local favorite, Up In Smoke BBQ. Living in Robstown is relatively affordable too. A home here costs $85,400 on average.
Vernon
Vernon is located in the north of Texas not far from the Oklahoma border. With a population hovering around 10,000 people, Vernon is a place where everyone knows everyone. While some people can find this a tad intrusive, it does create a sense of community that is hard to find anywhere else.
Highway 287 runs right through town making travel to other parts of Texas easy. Going out on road trips into the surrounding countryside provides endless ways to spend weekends with a significant other. Homes here are cheap too, the average cost of a house is just over $90,000.
Roma
Roma sits right along the Mexican border. Straddling the Rio Grande, Roma has long served as a gateway into Mexico and vice versa. It should come as no surprise that Roma has a culture that is heavily influenced by its proximity to Mexico. There are dozens of outstanding Mexican restaurants around town.
Roma Municipal Park is the perfect place to go and get a fantastic lookout over the Rio Grande. If observing nature is up your alley make sure to stop by the World Birding Center to go bird watching. A home in Roma is going to set you back around $113,300.
Sweetwater
Sweetwater is located right in the heartland of Texas. Wide fields stretch out from the town as far as the eye can see. Some people call it isolating but others see it as peaceful. Sweetwater is as about as country and stereotypically Texan as you can get.
The nearby Nolan County Coliseum hosts rodeos and other events that are always jam-packed and exciting. If bull riding is not to your liking there is the Sweetwater Country Club Golf Course in the north of town for a slower pace. A home here costs an average of $101,800.
Plainview
Another town that is typical of West Texas is Plainview. This town has a relatively large population that sits around 21,000 people. Plainview has still been able to retain its small-town feel while also giving itself all the bells and whistles that you might expect to see in a smaller city.
The Plainview Aquatics Center is a state-of-the-art pool that comes with an outstanding gym and other facilities. A great tool to escape the intense summer heat. The Plainview Country Club is another great place to go and relax with friends. A home in Plainview costs roughly $113,800.
Conclusion
There is a near-endless supply of great small towns in Texas to retire in. Just about every town values community and is more than welcoming to newcomers who are enthusiastic about embracing the local culture.
