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Jodie Chiffey

Senior Citizen Advocate at WizerList

Jodie is passionate about helping senior citizens, and aging adults connect with their loved ones, find the best retirement communities, understand more about pension-related schemes as well as help make informed purchases for aged care-related products, and a lot more.

Latest posts by Jodie Chiffey (see all)

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If you’re trying to choose a place to retire, you might want to consider Texas. The climate, the culture, the low cost of living and the lack of personal income tax make Texas a very attractive option. The question is – where are the best places to retire in Texas?

There are a lot of things to think about when moving into retirement. Are you a military retiree? Do you want to live in a busy city or out in the country? Do you want to get outdoors, or are you more of a homebody? There are some areas of Texas that are extra welcoming to retirees – we’ll take a look at the benefits of living in the highest rated places for seniors, looking at population size, cost of living, safety, local amenities, housing costs, political leaning of residents, and what real residents have to say about where they live. We hope we can help you to narrow down your list of options.

Why Texas?

With so many retirees choosing places like Florida to retire, with its sunshine and beaches, it may be easy to overlook the charms of Texas. What makes it such a great state for retirees?

Climate

Climate is a big part of why people love to live in Texas. The varying weather means you can choose what suits you. If you like the changing of the seasons, central Texas can provide you with that. Or, if you’d prefer a desert climate, Western Texas is a great choice. You’re sure to find a place that suits you.

Retirement Communities

There are many high-quality retirement communities in Texas if you’re considering moving into one. Look for a ‘GO TEXAS’ certified retirement community – these communities have proved they can meet the high standards of its citizens. Retirement communities are great if you want to feel safe and to meet a lot of new people – so Texas may be a great choice if you’re looking for one.

No Personal Income Tax

Texas does not tax personal income – which, combined with the relatively low living costs in some areas, can make a big difference to your wallet!

Low cost of living

Some of the big cities can be expensive, but many areas in Texas have a pretty low cost of living. If you are selective with where you choose to live, you could make some good savings on bills, like electricity, and expenses, like the cost of eating out and fresh produce. The cost of housing varies depending on where you are, but if you choose wisely, you may be able to get a wonderful home for your money.

Attitude of locals

Many people say that the locals in Texas are incredibly friendly and welcoming – that ‘Southern hospitality’– so if you want to find new friends and a nice community to settle into, it could be a good choice. Some of the suburbs in this article are very small, so if that appeals to you, you might be able to settle into a close-knit community pretty quickly.

Culture

There’s a lot to do in Texas! If you’re into sports, you’ll find plenty to do: it’s home to many sports teams including two NFL teams. There’s also the Space Centre in Houston, the San Antonio River Walk, the Texas State Capitol, national parks, and more. If you’re willing to travel around Texas, you can find so many things to do depending on your interests. Texas has a rich heritage – you’ll be able to find lots of historical sites no matter where in the state you end up.

Nature

Texas has an incredible array of outdoor places to visit. From the desert to mountains to rivers, there is so much natural beauty to enjoy in Texas – if you love to be outside exploring new places, you’ll enjoy living there.

What to look for in places to retire

When you’re trying to find a town or city in which to settle, there are a few key things to look out for:

• Proximity to family and friends. This is a common deciding factor for people heading into retirement. Many people decide to settle close to family – however, if your family is scattered all over the country (or even all over the world!) it may be a little less simple to decide.
• Population size. Are you after a big city with lots of different types of people, or a quiet town where everybody knows each other? The number of people can make a huge difference to the feel of a place – so it’s worth checking this beforehand.
• Amenities. If you’re an outdoorsy person, you might enjoy living somewhere out in the sticks. If you’d rather be close to a lot of cultures, you might want to look for local museums, libraries, and theatres. If you want to go shopping, you may look for a suburb that has some lovely independent boutiques but is also near to a mall.
• Transport. If you enjoy driving, you have a few more options available to you. However, if you cannot drive or don’t have access to a vehicle, you’re going to be much more reliant on public transport. Bigger cities are usually very well-connected, so you should be able to get around with no problems. You may also want to consider your proximity to airports – especially if you plan to go on a lot of vacations, or if you need to visit family or friends that live further afield.
• Housing. What type of home will you be looking for? You might want a big house, so you can have plenty of room for people to come and stay. Or, like a lot of retirees, you may be wanting to downsize at this stage of your life. You want to enjoy your retirement in a place you can call home, so don’t feel rushed into making a decision. If you’re considering a retirement community, you will probably want to visit a few times to really get the feel for whether you like it or not.

Best Places to Retire in Texas – An Overview

Olmos Park, San Antonio

Olmos Park is a wealthy enclave in Southern Texas, completely surrounded by San Antonio. According to the website niche.com, it is the number one place to retire in Texas. It has a village-like feel, and the residents are very friendly. It has a Conservative leaning. It has four parks, including the one-half acre Alameda Circle. The cost of living is high which may prohibit some people – 45% higher than the US average – but crime rates are 43% lower than the US average, so you might find the extra cost worth it. If you want a suburban feel whilst being very close to a big city, with a friendly community, this could be a great choice for you. It’s home to billionaires – so you may be bumping into some very wealthy neighbors!

Olmos Park: Facts

Fredericksburg, Gillespie County

Situated in Gillespie County, Fredericksburg is another friendly suburban town. With a population of 11,046, it’s bigger than Olmos Park but still fairly quiet, and the cost of living is a little lower. The locals are friendly and Conservative leaning, and there is a high number of retirees. The crime rate is fairly low, and there are parks, stores and restaurants to visit. It can get a little crowded during weekends and holidays, but there is plenty to do all year round, including wineries, boutiques, the National Museum of the Pacific War, and the tranquil Japanese Garden of Peace.

Fredericksburg: Facts

Hollywood Park, San Antonio

Situated in Bexar County, Hollywood Park is considered one of the nicest place to live in Texas. Again, it has a very small population of around 3,000. The locals are very friendly (they also tend to lean Conservative). It is, however, on the pricy side – 29% more expensive than the US average, and rent prices are pretty high. It’s a fairly safe area, however, with lots of wonderful things to do – the historic downtown has beautiful architecture, and there are plenty of amenities, including a local community center, pool, and a children’s playpark – perfect for visiting family members.

Hollywood Park: Facts

West Lake Hills, Austin

Another suburb, this time of Austin, West Lake Hills has a similar population to Hollywood Park (around 3,000). It has a moderate political leaning and is praised for having lots of outdoor activities and stunning scenery, including Lake Austin. The residents are friendly and well-educated: it is ranked in the top ten cities in Texas for ‘Best Education’. It offers quaint independent stores, as well as a mall and a theatre. Residents love being so close to the city and being able to return to a peaceful home at the end of the day. The only downside is the very high cost of living – it may be worth the cost if you want stunning scenery, however.

West Lake Hills: Facts

Pantego, Dallas

This suburb is small and feels safe, with a very low crime rate (97% lower than the national average) – the local police are very active in the community, keeping people safe. It is described by residents as ‘beautiful’. The cost of living is pretty low compared to some of the others on this list, at 1% less expensive than the US average. There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops to enjoy. Plus, the Bicentennial Park is a great community hub, offering activities for all residents to enjoy – from a seasonal splash pad to walking trails and stretching zones. This could be a great place to meet people (and to take the grandkids when they come to visit!)

Pantego: Facts

Fulton, Corpus Christi

Many retirees live in Fulton, enjoying its reasonable cost of living (14% less expensive than the US average), its fairly low crime rate, and the scenery – Fulton is great if you want to spend time outdoors, being on the western shore of Aransas Bay. The Copano Bay Fishing Pier is a very popular spot in Fulton. It’s a small town with a population of only 1,486 – perfect if you want a community where everybody knows each other.

Fulton: Facts

Benbrook, Dallas

If you want somewhere a little busier, Benbrook may be a good choice for you. It has a population of 22,000, with many retirees living there. A suburb of Dallas, Benbrook offers hike and bike trails and a well-maintained lake for outdoor enthusiasts, and residents love its peaceful, calm feeling and friendly, Conservative-leaning residents.

Benbrook: Facts

Southlake, Dallas

Southlake is another great place to consider. Situated in Dallas, it has a population of 30,090, the highest on our list. However, it’s very safe – 55% safer than the US average – and residents love the fun, friendly environment. Southlake runs a lot of events for the community, and there are plenty of stores, restaurants, and activities. You’d be close enough to the city to enjoy a day out, but there will still be enough to do in Southlake to keep you occupied. Residents praise the high standard of living – the only con is that it’s pretty expensive, so you’ll have to bear that in mind, and the house prices are quite steep, too. It has a reputation as being a wealthy town, but you might find a safe, friendly community is worth the cost.

Southlake: Facts

Azle, Parker and Tarrant Counties

Azle is a city just northwest of Fort Worth. It is a little more affordable than some of the other choices on this list – 6% less than the US average. The house prices aren’t too steep, either, and the median rent is fairly low. Locals love the central park, where you can watch live music and attend events. Residents are friendly and caring, and they make newcomers feel welcome. If you’re looking for a nice community to settle into, Azle might be the best choice.

Azle: Facts

Denison, Grayson County

The last one on our list, Denison is another great option. There’s a lot to do there – you’ll be really close to Lake Texoma, and there are a lot of festivals to enjoy. There’s a lot of history and culture there, and people are generally friendly and welcoming. With lots of stores and a farmer’s market, you’ll have everything you need close to hand. The crime rate is slightly higher here than the others on our list, but it’s still 3% lower than the US average, and the cost of living is 20% lower than the US average – making it an affordable option. House prices are comparatively low here, as are rent costs – again, if you’re on a budget, Denison could be the best choice for you.

Denison: Facts

Conclusion

Moving to a new place to retire is a huge event in life, and it can be a stressful, emotional, and exciting at the same time. With a million decisions to make and jobs to do, it can feel totally overwhelming, and it can take a long time to decide where to go. You want to find somewhere welcoming for seniors – and Texas is great for that.

Whatever you decide, we’re sure you’ll be able to find somewhere welcoming, homely, and peaceful to retire in Texas. Whether you want a small suburb or a bustling town, to have a city close by or be further out into nature, we hope that this list has helped you to narrow down your choices – and we hope that you can find your home and settle into a new community soon.

At Wizerlist, we want to empower you with the information you need in retirement. Why not check out our guide to buying a medical alert system, or our guide to choosing the best wheelchairs