If you’re looking to spend your golden years in the Lone Star State, the cities on our list of the 11 best places to retire in Texas should be on top of your list.
The Lone Star State has always been on the ten most preferred states by retirees and for many a good reason. Apart from the warmer climate that seniors enjoy, the median home prices in many smaller cities and metropolis are significantly lower than in many other states. The tax climate in Texas is also very friendly towards retirees, having no income tax and placing 43rd out of the 50 states with highest tax burdens.
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But one of the biggest reasons why Texas ranks among the states most favored for retirement is the variety of options available for retirement living – coastal towns along the Gulf of Mexico, golf course communities, huge metropolis, and quaint little suburbs – to suit anybody’s preference. And we have 11 of the best of these towns.
To come up with this list, we have used suggestions from Only In Your State, Market Watch, Retirement Places Report, and Safewise. We have ranked them according to the qualities that would make them ideal for retirement living: affordability, safety, proximity to major facilities like hospitals and airports, and availability and range of recreational activities for seniors.
Check out which places made it to our list of the 11 best places to retire in Texas for your own retirement reference – as well as our list of the 11 best places to retire in South Carolina.
11. Murphy
The biggest advantage that Murphy has over everything else on this list is its safety. With only an average of 0.20 violent crimes per 1000 a year, it definitely is one of the safest places to live in Texas, retiring or not. Murphy is located in Collin County, northeast of Dallas.
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10. Hutto
Like Murphy, the Austin suburb of Hutto ranks high in the safety rankings. It has an average of 0.40 violent crimes per 1000 people, and 8.40 per 1000 in property crimes making it one ideal option for the 11 best places to retire in Texas. Its proximity to Austin, the low population, and its safe environs all make it retiree-friendly.
9. Corpus Christi
The coastal city of Corpus Christi is perfect for retirees looking for a beachside retreat. Because of the size of Corpus Christi, as well as the lively activity around the big city, you can expect all sorts of attractions and facilities available within the city. Sports and recreation on the beach are very popular.
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8. College Station
College Station, located 90 miles northwest of Houston, made it to our list of the 11 best places to retire in Texas mostly because of its cost friendliness. Because it is a college town, the houses and the general cost of living in College Station makes it one of the most budget friendly-cities on our list.
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7. Abilene
Abilene is one of the most populous cities in Texas due in part to the several universities located in the city. The downtown environment, attractions, and culture are heavily influenced by the young, bustling population but it has more than enough room for seniors to have fun in. There are establishments to enjoy arts, music, history, theater, and sports among others.
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6. Sugar Land
Sugar Land has big city amenities with small town charm. Its streets are as safe as they are busy, with many of its residents moving to and from nearby Houston. It is as much an ideal place for raising families as it is one of the best places to retire in Texas.
5. Kerrville
An ideal city for retirement does not exactly have to be big or have everything and Kerrville is pretty much the perfect example of it. Much of its charm that is attracting retirees and parents is due to its low population, safety and security, great healthcare, and a bustling cultural scene. Active seniors will also appreciate the wide open spaces for strolling, working out, and doing outdoorsy things. Every other amenity that cannot be found in Kerrville can be found in nearby San Antonio. Win-win.
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4. San Antonio
San Antonio simply has it all to make a wonderful, enjoyable retirement: history, culture, entertainment, arts, sports, there even is a beach mere two hours away. Despite being a big city with a bigger population than most others on this list of the 11 best places to retire in Texas, San Antonio’s cost of living is slightly lower than the national average. This is one place that will make you enjoy your every dollar to its fullest.
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3. Georgetown
Georgetown is just the exact place for active, outdoorsy retirees, especially for those who like visiting beautiful caves. The outdoors of this small town are begging to be explored – from the Blue Hole Lagoon to Lake Georgetown, to San Gabriel River and Park. There is also a lot of goings-on downtown for those who love some history, art, and cultural learning from the city’s museums to art galleries.
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2. Austin
The state capital is young, edgy, vibrant, and exciting for both the young university-going residents and the growing number of retirees choosing to spend their senior years hereabouts. Austin has a lively music, arts, and culture scene plus a wide variety of outdoor activities for the more active ones.
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1. Fredericksburg
It does not have the metropolitan advances of Houston or Dallas, or the perks of Austin. What makes Fredericksburg number 1 on this list of the 11 best places to retire in Texas then? If you have not heard of it, the answer is: a lot. For starters, Fredericksburg is picturesque, its quaint historical buildings a sight straight out of a postcard photo. Second, Fredericksburg has clean air, wonderful year-round weather, and a vibrant cultural scene. Third, it is a haven for retirees, with seniors making up over 30% of the city’s entire population.
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When you’re planning something as big as your retirement, each choice you have to make is as crucial as the other and the location is one of the most important aspects of the whole plan. Which of the 11 best places to retire in Texas are on your shortlist?
