9 Best Places To Retire In Texas

The Lone Star State is well known for its cowboy hats and barbeque, but what many do not know is that the state is a scenic destination for a relaxing retirement. Texas makes an enticing appeal for relocation because they do not have an income tax, winters are mild, the cost of living is low, and many of the retirement-friendly towns are safe places to live. Many of the retirement-friendly cities are near picture-perfect natural landmarks that make the scenery enjoyable, like great state parks and good lakes for fishing. See what Texas has to offer your retirement!

Lago Vista

Lago Vista contains a vibrant retirement community with plenty of activities in which to stay engaged. Lago Vista receives an A rating on CrimeGrade.org, making it one of the most secure towns in America to retire to. Violent crime and property crime both receive an A+ rating, so you are sure to have peace of mind as you retire to this relaxing destination. The town is also full of exciting options for retirees. Lake Travis is the perfect getaway for boating or fishing, as the lake is known for its trophy-sized catfish! You can also hike in the scenic landscape of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge is home to thousands of types of species of animals as well as beautiful rolling hills that will make any hiking trip fascinating! Lago Vista is already teeming with senior activity, as 25% of residents are over the age of 65.

Woodway

Another safe and friendly destination for retirees is Woodway. This town is on Lake Waco's shores, making it an ideal destination for water-based activities like canoeing, boating, and fishing. Lakeside Park, which is right on Lake Waco, features amazing hiking and biking trails and includes an 18-hole golf course. The park touts some of the best views in the region. Woodway is also next to 2 award-winning medical facilities. Ascension Providence Hospital is one of the Top 100 Best Prostate Surgery hospitals in the United States while Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Hillcrest won the Critical Care Excellence Award this year! Woodway also boasts an A rating on CrimeGrade.org, making this an especially secure town to retire to.

Clear Lake Shores

Clear Lake Shores is only a 30-minute drive away from downtown Houston and has all the amenities retirees could want without the hustle of a big city. Clear Lake is right off the Gulf Coast and hosts a heavenly oasis for boating lovers. The town offers more than 1,600 boat slips that give residents convenient access to Clear Lake and Galveston Bay. If boating does not interest you, Kayak Shack has various kayaks and paddleboards for residents to use during the day on the lake. Clear Lake Shores provides highly renowned hospitals that are only a few miles from the city center. Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital is only 3 miles from the town and has won the Patient Safety Excellence Award just this last year. Seniors at Clear Lake also appreciate the lower-than-average crime rates, especially the rareness of property crimes.

Colleyville

Colleyville is another safe haven with great healthcare facilities nearby. Colleyville is just outside of Fort Worth and is conveniently near the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The town is full of engaging activities for seniors! Outdoorsmen will appreciate McPherson Park and its plentiful hiking and biking trails. Colleyville Nature Center will keep you active with its hiking trails and also features a fishing pond. The nature center houses a variety of wildlife that any nature lover will appreciate. Colleyville has a highly ranked local medical center at Texas Health H-E-B. You can also take a short drive to some of the best hospitals in the nation, near Fort Worth or Dallas, like Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, which is one of America’s top 250 hospitals. Colleyville has a very low crime rate, with property crime and violent crime being some of the nation's lowest.

Kerrville

Kerrville is a quaint, affordable town in the picturesque region of Texas Hill Country. Seniors, who comprise 28% of Kerrville’s residents, enjoy the reasonably priced housing and the beauty of the town's park trails. The median sold home price is almost half the national average at $228,000, making Kerrville a very affordable city compared with other similar cities in Texas. Kerrville also boasts an amazing medical center at Peterson Regional Medical Center. Some of the trails that seniors frequently visit include Lehmann & Monroe Park, which includes access to Guadalupe River. You can also scout some rare wildlife at Kerrville Wildlife Management Area, which contains over 6,000 acres of local wildlife habitats.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is a senior haven that is the perfect place for those who love the great outdoors. The city boasts beautiful rolling hills and an incredibly vast wildlife population that includes 300 species of birds. You can observe some of these species at Enchanted Rock, which showcases over 8 miles of biking and hiking trails and horseback riding! Golfing fanatics will find Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course the perfect venue to spend the day as you take in the beauty of Texas Hill Country. The median age of Fredericksburg is 53, so you will surely be surrounded by a good mix of seniors enjoying their retirement. Violent crime rates are very low in Fredericksburg, which makes the region secure for all of its residents.

Lockhart

Lockhart is a Texas town just outside of Austin that is known for its affordability and one-of-a-kind Texas culture. The town is conveniently just a short drive from two world-class hospitals, Ascension Seton Hays and Ascension Seton Edgar B. Davis. Lockhart also features the only state park to include a golf course at Lockhart State Park. As you tee off, you can bask in the warm Texas air and relish the beauty of the hills and creeks in the 263-acre park. Lockhart hosts affordable housing with sold median housing costs well below the national average. Lockhart is known as the “Barbeque Capital of Texas” for its famous barbeque restaurants, such as Black’s Barbeque.

Katy

Katy is a town just outside of Houston that gives a small-town feel with all the amenities. Katy scores an A for crime, which makes the small town feel more altruistic. Housing in the town is also slightly below the national average, with the median sold home price at $356,000, making living options reasonable. Katy also boasts a unique boardwalk district that provides residents with an 89-acre nature park packed full of nature preserves and a 2-mile walking trail. Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital is conveniently located in Katy and has also been decorated with the Patient Safety Excellence Award in 2024. With Katy being so close to Houston, residents are only a short drive away from all the amenities that the big city has to offer.

Livingston

Livingston is a smaller yet affordable Texas town right on Lake Livingston. The lake provides a large variety of amenities to its residents all year. Lake Livingston State Park, which can be found along the lake's perimeter, is a perfect spot for hiking or camping with its ideal camping trails! The lake itself is known for its great fishing, as tournaments at the lake are held all year. The town of Livingston holds competitions for anglers at all levels, so there is no need to feel left out! Livingston boasts incredibly cheap housing. The median sold home price, according to Realtor.com, is only $213,000, making it one of the cheapest retirement locations in Texas relative to similar cities.

Retiring in Texas: Safe, Scenic, and Welcoming

Texas is home to some of the most secure places for retirement at a price point that works for anyone. Because these towns are so safe, you can travel freely on all of the beautiful trails that Texas harbors. No income tax and warm weather are the perfect additions to make entering the golden years worry-free. The Lone Star state makes anyone’s retirement warm and inviting with some of the best southern hospitality the United States offers.