Texas, aka the Lone Star State, experienced multiple wars over the Texas territory. The majority of the friction in Texas was between the first settlers and the natives in the area. From 1836-1845 Texas declared itself an independent nation. However, due to the constant ongoing unrest in the area, they required additional military backing. So, in 1845 Texas was inducted into the union.
Today Texas is abundant in both history and urban culture. It is the state that has a little bit of everything for everyone. Some of the highlights Texas offers are:
- Coastal Living
- Outdoor activities like
- Hunting
- Hiking
- Canoeing
- Camping
- Bicycling
- Art Museums
- Historical Sites
- Alamo
- Galveston East End Historic District
- Fort Worth Stockyards
- San Jacinto Battle Monument
- Prehistoric Tours to view dinosaur fossils
Plus, Texas has everything from urban to small-town living and everything in between.
Texas has ranches, skyscrapers, oceans, and canyons, all in the same state. You could spend weeks traveling and exploring Texas and never get bored.
For those that are nearing retirement or are already there, sometimes a change of scenery is just what we need to keep us active. Many retirees are looking for a place to settle down and recharge. But also an area that has lower taxes and doesn’t have a high housing cost. And ideally, somewhere we aren’t cold half the year.
Most of us want to travel and explore the country, if not the world. Finding affordable housing is key to being able to budget for travel successfully. One of the benefits of living in Texas is the lower than average taxes. The other financial benefit of retiring to Texas is the lower cost of housing for adults 60+.
Additionally, Texas has first-rate medical care facilities scattered all over the state, which means finding a good doctor just got easier.
So if you are looking for a warm place to settle down, Texas might just be the place for you. If it isn’t, then give Florida a try.
Where to Retire in Texas
- Katy
- Woodway
- Austin
- El Paso, Texas
- Corpus Christi
Katy
Basic Population Statistics for Katy, TX
- Percent of Senior Population 12%
- Overall Population 19,216
If you are seeking a smaller city lifestyle, but still want the conveniences of a big city, Katy Texas is the perfect town for you. Katy is only thirty miles west of Houston, making it an easy drive to visit a large metropolitan area.
Katy was originally a rice farming community in the late 1800s, but it wasn’t until 1945 that it was finally incorporated. Though they have a population near 20,000, Katy prides itself on maintaining their small-town charm.
One of the biggest reasons Katy is an ideal place to retire is that they offer 17.6 medical facilities per 1,000 residents. Additionally, they have 3.61 recreation facilities per 1,000 residents.
The city of Katy offers several community events throughout the year. Many are free, and all age-friendly, and a couple include Fido. Some of their more popular events are:
- Rice festival
- Valentine’s Pawty
- Community Campout
- Katy Summer Nights
- Howl-O-Ween
Additionally, they have ten well-maintained parks for those who enjoy the outdoors. And they have a variety of museums and historical sites for the history buffs:
- The Johnny Nelson Katy Heritage Museum
- Katy Veterans Memorial Museum
- Katy Heritage Park & Historical Homes
- MKT Railroad Depot & Park
Woodway
Basic Population Statistics for Woodway, TX
- Percent of Senior Population 24%
- Overall Population 8,967
If you are looking for a real small town, Woodway is the ideal place for you. It has a population under 10,000, and almost of quarter of those living, there are within the retirement age.
Woodway is also fondly referred to as Woodway Village and was incorporated in 1955. However, due to the population increase, they were renamed the City of Woodway in 1973, dropping Village and adding “city.”
Though it is a small town, it doesn’t lack for medical centers, per 1000 people they offer 10.61 medical facilities. Plus, it is safer than 50% of the cities in the US.
And if you enjoy a great nightlife and college culture, Woodway is neighbors to Waco. And Waco is home to Baylor Univesity. Additional attractions in and around Woodway are:
- Cameron Park Zoo
- Carleen Bright Arboretum
- Dr. Pepper Museum
- Cameron Park
- McLane Stadium
- Mayborn Museum Complex
- Extraco Events Center
- Texas Sports Hall of Fame
- Hawaiian Falls Waco
- Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum
Plus, being so close to Waco, you will have access to their incredible abundance of restaurants, bars, and breweries.
And if that’s not enough for you, Woodway hosts several events throughout the year, often at the Carleen Bright Arboretum. So you will never have a lack of things to do in Woodway.
Austin
Basic Population Statistics for Austin, TX
- Percent of Senior Population 8%
- Overall Population 964,254
Austin isn’t just the home of Texas’ State Capital; it also houses the University of Texas, Austin. Austin is perfect for retirees who enjoy the active city life. And for those of us who still love to learn, seniors are welcome to sign up for six tuition-free credit hours per semester.
Additionally, Austin has several major health care facilities like Ascension Seton Medical Center and St. David’s Medical Center.
However, one of the drawbacks for some seniors may be the cost of housing since it averages $242,900. But the positive spin is that Austin offers a lot to their residents like:
- Extensive Live Music Opportunities
- State Capital Tour
- O. Henry Home & Museum
- Breweries
- The Driskill
- Museum of The Weird
- South Austin Museum of Popular Culture
- Texas Music Museum
- Joseph and Susanna Dickinson Hannig Museum
Plus, the metro area offers easy access to public transit.
For those who prefer the great outdoors Austin and it’s surrounding areas offer a multitude of things to do:
- McKinney Falls State Park
- Zilker Park
- Lady Bird Lake
- The Barton Creek Greenbelt
- Mount Bonnell
- Hamilton Pool
The above parks offer hiking, fishing, boating, canoeing, and more all within an easy drive of Austin.
El Paso
Basic Population Statistics for El Paso, TX
- Percent of Senior Population 12%
- Overall Population 682,669
El Paso offers a drier climate since it is located in a desert area near Mount Franklin on the Rio Grande.
However, the weather isn’t the only appealing aspect of El Paso. The number one attraction for retiring in El Paso is that it’s one of the most economical cities to retire in the country. The median cost of housing for those 60+ is $103,100. And if you are more interested in renting, then you would be looking at the average rate of $523 for seniors.
Plus, the retirement income tax is lower than in many places in the US. Additionally, El Paso supports several medical facilities and hospitals, making it an even more appealing area to settle down.
Of course, El Paso is abundant in urban and historical culture, and offer:
- Franklin Mountains State Park
- The Plaza Theatre
- Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums
- El Paso Zoo
- El Paso Holocaust Museum and Study Center
- Hueco Tanks State Historic Site
- El Paso Museum of Archaeology Wilderness Park
- El Paso Museum of Art
- Fort Bliss & Old Ironside Museum
And El Paso has a multitude of restaurants. They have everything from expensive fine dining:
- Cafe Central
- Anson Eleven
- Cattleman’s Steakhouse
- Mesa Street Grill
To the more casual, but equally delicious:
- Rosco’s Burger Inn
- Tacos Chinampa
- Good Luck Cafe
- Rosa’s Cantina
However, if you prefer communing with nature, El Paso has you covered there too.
- Franklin Mountains State Park
- Red Sands
- Keystone Heritage Park
- McKelligon Canyon
- A multitude of Golf Courses
Corpus Christi
Basic Population Statistics for Corpus Christi, TX
- Percent of Senior Population 13%
- Overall Population 143,433
Corpus Christi is a beautiful sea city that features a laid back lifestyle and low housing costs. The average price of housing here is $114,600, and the average cost of rent is $814, for those 60+.
Corpus Christi is the ideal place for the active retiree since this city offers it all.
If you choose to be a beach bum or spend your days on the water sailing, you can do that easily in Corpus Christi. Or if you prefer city attractions like museums and theater you can find that too.
Corpus Christi offers both indoor and outdoor activities:
- Fishing
- Golfing
- USS Lexington Museum on the Bay
- Texas State Aquarium
- Padre Island National Seashore
- Whataburger Field
- Corpus Christi Downtown Seawall
Plus, regardless of your housing preferences, condos, single-family homes, or senior communities, Corpus Christi has an array of choices. And you need not worry about medical care; Corpus Christi has plenty of medical facilities:
- Corpus Christi Medical Center – Bay Area
- Corpus Christi Medical Center – The Heart Hospital
- CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi – Shoreline and Memorial
- Corpus Christi Rehabilitation Hospital
- Dialysis Access Center – Corpus Christi
Though the majority of Corpus Christi is considered safe, a few pockets of the city have a high crime rate, making it only 6% safer than other US communities.
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