Why You Should Retire to These Texas Towns

The Lone Star State offers diverse geography, the world’s best barbecue, and a variety of cultures. Texas is also a wonderful place to retire. These Texas towns offer retirees a fantastic way of life. Read on and see where in this great state you might like to spend your post-career years!

#1. Killeen

A charming burg within driving distance of Texas’ key metro areas, Killeen offers the best of small-town living with big-city access. Fort Hood provides a large military presence, and Killeen’s cost of living makes retiring here easy. An added bonus: Killeen folks are some of the friendliest around.

#2. El Paso

If you want to move way out west, El Paso is the town for you. One of the most affordable cities to retire in the nation, El Paso sits in the shadow of the immense Franklin Mountains State Park. With Juarez, Mexico, just across the Rio Grande, El Paso is big on rich culture and history.

#3. Dallas-Fort Worth

If a big city is more to your taste, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is the cultural and economic center of north Texas. The cities offer an affordable lifestyle, and since Dallas and Fort Worth sit near each other, you can enjoy the perks of both, including seemingly endless shopping and dining options, world-class medical facilities, and professional sports teams.

#4. Austin

Texas’ capital city boasts a unique culture, including a vibrant arts and music scene. Tech companies abound here, contributing to a booming economy. Plus, if you’re 65 or older, you can take up to six credit hours per semester tuition-free at the University of Texas at Austin.

#5. San Antonio

Nestled in the rolling Texas Hill Country, San Antonio is where Texas history meets bustling city life. A rapidly growing area, San Antonio offers an ideal retirement lifestyle without the exorbitant housing costs common in other areas of the country. Evening strolls along the famed River Walk are worth the move to this vibrant, diverse city.

#6. Brownsville

If you’re moving from a cold climate, you will thrive in Brownsville’s balmy, Gulf Coast setting. With the white sand beaches of South Padre Island nearby, and the Mexican city of Matamoros just across the border, Brownsville draws retirees from all over the nation for a low cost of living and sunshine most of the year.

#7. Beaumont

Situated in the southeast corner of the state, Beaumont sits at the edge of the Big Thicket National Preserve, which offers plenty of fishing and other outdoor adventures. Beaumont residents enjoy a small-town feel and low housing costs, but when they yearn for the big city, Houston is just a short drive to the west.

#8. Houston

The nation’s fourth-largest city boasts dynamic museum and arts districts, and retirees will find plenty of opportunities to volunteer and engage in the community. The world-renowned Texas Medical Center offers top notch care, and if you want a little distance from the heart of the city, Houston is surrounded by suburbs with small-town charm.

#9. McAllen

Deep in south Texas, McAllen has some of the lowest housing costs in the nation. With warm weather much of the year, McAllen draws crowds of snowbird retirees from colder locations. If birdwatching tops your retirement activity list, McAllen’s World Birding Center will become your new favorite place.

#10. Corpus Christi

Another coastal community, Corpus Christi offers a retirement full of sand and sun. The Padre Island National Seashore boasts 70 miles of coastline, and the city has excellent healthcare facilities. Volunteer opportunities include the Texas State Aquarium and the revered USS Lexington aircraft carrier.

Whether your retirement dreams include a bustling city, a welcoming small town, mountains, or sand and sun, Texas has a retirement destination for you. You’ll find what Texas retirees already know: The Lone Star State is the perfect place to hang your hat for good.

References: Best Places to Retire in Texas | The 200 Largest Cities in the United States by Population 2024