Do you want to retire and live life to the fullest in Texas? If YES, here are 10 best cities in Texas to enjoy retirement without breaking the bank. In this article, we will be looking at key components that will be of great benefit to you if you want to retire in Texas.
You will be able to get some hints that will help you choose a good city in Texas to retire to, and it will be based on several factors which include proximity to a major city and airport, entertainment value, medical accessibility and healthcare options, recreational value and other amenities, good weather, average population age, taxes and cost of living.
Why Retire in Texas?
Texas is the second largest state in the United States in terms of area mass and population. Geographically, Texas is located in the South – Central region of the United States.
United States Texas shares borders with Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the southwest, while the Gulf of Mexico is to the southeast.
Interestingly, Texas happens to be the second-largest U.S. state, after Alaska, with an area of 268,820 square miles (696,200 km2).
Texas ranks only 27th worldwide amongst country subdivisions by size. Texas is 10 percent larger than France and almost twice as large as Germany or Japan. If it were an independent country, Texas would be the 40th largest behind Chile and Zambia.
There is a saying that goes thus “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. In essence, if you fail to make plans for your retirement, then you are planning to live a miserable retirement life. The truth remains that the best time to start planning for your retirement is now and here are some of the best cities to retire in Texas.
Best Cities in Texas to Enjoy your Retirement Life
- Azle, Texas
Azle is a small city located in Parker and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,947 and the 2018 estimate put the population at 11,054. Azle is one of the best places to retire in Texas and the median rent in the city is $845.
Per capita, the city boasts the most medical centers in the state. It’s also home to the most recreational centers per 1,000 residents.
The benefits make it a top living area for people in retirement. The distance to the closet airport is about 11 miles and the proximity to the big city gives you access to professional sports, arts and other amenities while living in a small, rural area.
- Fredericksburg, Texas
Another nice city to retire in Texas is Fredericksburg, the city is the seat of Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 10,530 and a 2018 estimate put the population at 10,997 and the median rent is $933.
Fredericksburg afford retirees easy access to both Austin and San Antonio and the city is about 30 miles away from the closest airport. Both cities are about an hour’s drive away. It’s known as the Peach Capital of Texas, with a booming agricultural tourism base.
Moreover, this Central Texas town has the third-lowest tax burdens of the cities in this list. In general, Fredericksburg is one of the best places to retire in Texas; 30 percent of its population are senior citizens.
- Southlake, Texas
If you are looking for a city to retire to whose median rent is $1,287 and the distance to the closest airport is 7 miles, then you should consider Southlake. Southlake is a city located predominantly in Tarrant County with minor areas extending into Denton County in the U.S. state of Texas. Southlake is a suburb in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metropolitan area.
As of the 2010 census it had a population of 26,575 and the estimate for 2018 put the population at 29,101. Southlake is known for public schools, Southlake Town Square, its wealth, Gateway Church and Carroll High School’s 8-time state champion Football and Men’s Swim & Dive team.
- Dickinson, Texas
With a warm climate and safe communities, this affordable and tax-friendly city is popular for retirees. Dickinson is a city in Galveston County, Texas, within Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area. The population was 18,680 at the 2010 census and the 2018 estimate put the population of the city at 19,583. The closes distance from Dickinson to the nearest airport is 17 miles and the median rent is $754.
- Santa Fe
Santa Fe is yet another good location for those who are seeking to retire in a cool city. Santa Fe is a city in Galveston County, Texas, United States. It is named for the Santa Fe Railroad which runs through the town alongside State Highway 6.
Population of Santa Fe at the 2010 census was 12,222 and the 2018 estimate put the population at 12,839. Interestingly, the media rent for the city is $926 and the distance to the closest airport from Santa Fe is 16 miles.
- Lockhart, Texas
Another lovely city that is ideal for retirees in Texas is Lockhart. Lockhart is a city in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. It is the county seat of Caldwell County. According to the 2010 census, the population of Lockhart was 12,698 and the 2018 estimate put the population at 13,222.
The median rent for the city is $819 and the distance to the closest airport to the city is 21 miles. Lockhart and Caldwell County are within the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. Its entertainment and recreational value is very high. This Caldwell County town is a great place to settle in retirement if you are looking for an upscale community.
- Angleton, Texas
Another interesting place for retirees in Texas is Angleton. Angleton is a city in the county seat of Brazoria County, Texas, United States. Angleton lies at the intersection of State Highway 288, State Highway 35, and the Union Pacific Railroad.
This riverfront town has a low crime rate and a strong economy. With a warm climate and safe communities, this affordable and tax-friendly city is popular for retirees.
The population was 18,862 at the 2010 census and the 2018 estimate put the population of the city at 19,245. The median rent of the city is $794 and the distance to the closest airport 34 miles. Angleton is in the 14th congressional district, and is represented by Republican Congressman Randy Weber.
- Denison, Texas
One of the nicest places to retire to in Texas is Denison, it is a tax friendly city and the city’s median rent is $736. Denison is a city in Grayson County, Texas, United States. It is 75 miles north of Dallas and 65 miles to the closest airport.
The population was 22,682 at the 2010 census and the 2018 estimate put the population of the city at 23,080. Denison is part of the Texoma region and is one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area. Denison is known as the birthplace of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. This city made the list because of its location, amazing scenery, low crime rates and retiree tax benefits.
- Alice, Texas
With a median rent of $708, Alice is no doubt one of the cheapest cities for retirees in Texas. Alice is situated in the South Texas region of the state. The population was 19,104 at the 2010 census and the 2018 estimate is 19,439. Alice was established in 1888 and the distance to the closest airport is just 2 miles.
Interestingly, the city can boast of standard health facility and recreational facilities. First it was called Bandana, then Kleberg and finally Alice after Alice Gertrudis King Kleberg, the daughter of Richard King, who established the King Ranch.
- Granbury, Texas
Granbury is one of the best places to retire in Texas. All indices points to the fact that retires are happy with the city especially with the world – class health and recreational facilities. With the lowest tax burden in this list, you can protect more of your retirement savings. The town is also west of Fort Worth and only an hour away from Dallas.
Interestingly, the elderly makes up for nearly 30 percent of the population in Granbury. This makes it easy to settle as there are many built-in retirement communities in the area. The city has a historic charm to it, with Granbury Square, museums and musical venues.
Lake Granbury has also become a popular spot for visitors from across the country during the spring and summer months.
Aside from the cities listed above, there are other cities that retirees can consider in Texas. But all in all, before making a decision on the city to pitch your retirement tent, it will be advisable to visit the city of your choice, ask loads of questions and then compare with other cities.