Considering retirement or a life after retirement? It typically involves managing finances, taking care of one’s health and well-being, and having a convenient, fulfilling social life. Everyone would prefer to retire in a place that meets all or at least some of these requirements, even though their hobbies and financial capabilities are different.
While some would only need better health care, others might desire to retire outside of the US and only have a $1000 monthly budget. Their best bet might be a nation like Norway, which is highly recommended for retirees due to its excellent healthcare offerings. Some Americans would rather retire to affordable rural communities in the US. Texas is a state that is ideal for retirement. Due to the lack of a state income tax, retirees will save thousands of dollars in taxes on their Social Security benefits, pensions, and retirement plan disbursements.
Summary:
- Retirement benefits like Social Security and pensions can be saved thousands of dollars in Texas because there is no state income tax.
- Low-cost senior housing can be found in small Texas cities including Bolivar Peninsula, Kingsland, and Laguna Vista.
- Small villages like Salado, St. Hedwig, and Texline offer retirees a tranquil, affordable lifestyle.
Based mostly on living expenses, Texas offers a lot of affordable towns to live; however, retirees must also take other factors into consideration when choosing a location to spend their golden years, such as safety, health, and quality of life. The slower-paced lifestyle of small towns typically translates into a higher standard of living, which makes these top 10 best small towns in Texas perfect for retirement for retirees.
Top 10 Best Small towns in Texas perfect for retirement for retirees list:
- Paint Rock, Concho County
- Marathon, Brewster County
- Texline, Dallam County
- Santa Anna, Coleman County
- Fulton, Aransas County
- St. Hedwig, Bexar County
- Salado, Bell County
- Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston County
- Laguna Vista, Cameron County
- Kingsland, Llano County
Top 10 Best Small towns in texas perfect for retirement for retirees in detail:
10.Kingsland, Llano County
- Living Expenses: Texas’s 98.2 vs. 94.2 vs. 100 (USA)
- Rate of Crime: 18.8 vs 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: 64 miles to Austin, Texas
- Regional Events: Lighthouse Country Club, Legends Golf Course & Villas, and Llano Slab
Kingsland is a really royal location, tucked away between Lyndon B. Johnson Lake and the Colorado River. It offers year-round activities including boating, fishing, swimming, golf, and beautiful picnic spots, making it the ideal destination as well as a great location to call home. In the spring, Kingsland is a sight to behold, with bluebonnets and wildflowers blooming in every direction.
Kingsland is a peaceful, small town with laid-back vibes and nice locals despite everything it has to offer. With friends, Kingsland Community Park is a terrific spot to get together. For many reasons, Austin, Texas, is a short and convenient route to reach a large metropolis, as it is located less than 65 miles away. Kingsland is a suitable town for retirees to settle down in because it has a lower crime rate than the national average and an affordable cost of living.
9.Laguna Vista, Cameron County
- Living Expenses: Texas’s 74.9 vs. 94.2 vs. 100 (USA)
- Rate of Crime: 10.5 vs 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: Austin, Texas: 282 miles
- Regional Events: South Padre Island Golf Club and Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site (entry fee of $4)
One of the numerous affordable beach towns in the US is Laguna Vista, a charming Texan hamlet on the Gulf of Mexico. A year-round must-see, the 1852 Point Isabel Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located in Port Isabel, six miles from Laguna Vista. Since 1976, it has been included on the National Register of Historic Places.
South Padre Island is a popular resort town with serene waters and beautiful beaches that is about 10 miles away from Laguna Vista. There are lots of reasons to visit South Padre Island, even in the winter, despite the fact that it is busier in the summer. Laguna Vista is a popular retirement destination for retirees due to its extremely low cost of living and median housing prices, and it’s gorgeous surroundings only serve to increase its allure.
8.Bolivar Peninsula, Galveston County
- Living Expenses: Texas’s 95.8 vs. 94.2 vs. 100 (USA)
- Rate of Crime: 17 vs to 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: TX – Houston – 93 miles
- Regional Events: Bolivar Point Lighthouse, Fort Travis Park, and Crystal Beach
The Bolivar Peninsula, located in Galveston County, Texas, is a short strip of land that separates the eastern portion of Galveston Bay from the Gulf of Mexico. It is a 27-mile long, historically rich coastal paradise. It’s a well-liked location for outdoor recreational pursuits like boating, bird viewing, fishing, and beach days.
Because of its close proximity to the ocean and McFaddin Wildlife Refuge, the small hamlet has gained popularity. With its sandy shoreline, High Island Beach is unquestionably one of the nicest beaches in Texas. For retirees and seniors who wish to routinely enjoy beach life without having to walk miles, the Bolivar Peninsula’s 27 miles of coastline waters are perfect for driving on, parking, and enjoying.
The Bolivar Peninsula would be a desirable retirement destination due to its cheap median housing expenses of $281,000. This is in addition to having an affordable cost of living, which is lower than the national average of $338,100 and the Texas average of $297,600. The famed Point Bolivar Lighthouse, built in 1872, is privately owned and not accessible to the public, but the surrounding region makes for some amazing photo ops.
7.Salado, Bell County
- Living Expenses: Texas’s 83.7 vs. 94.2 vs. 100 (USA)
- Rate of Crime: 10.1 vs 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: 51 miles to Austin, Texas
- Regional Events: Salado Museum, Salado Glassworks, Fletchers Books and Antiques, Sirril Art Gallery, and Salado Winery
The town of Salado was founded in 1867 with the intention of building a bridge over Salado Creek. It is a peaceful, welcoming hamlet that embodies the essence of classic Texas. This quaint little hamlet is only 51 miles from Austin and is filled with historic buildings and lush parks.
Salado is a popular place for artists to live, and seniors thinking about retirement will love its serene atmosphere. The community also boasts a cheaper cost of living, especially when compared to the Texas state average, and a lower crime rate than the national average.
The Salado Sculpture Garden is a wonderful area to stroll about and enjoy the local flora and impressive sculptures. The town’s century-old buildings are home to eateries, art galleries, and charming coffee shops. The eclectic stores add to the town’s tranquil, slow-paced atmosphere. The Stagecoach Inn in Salado, Texas, which dates back to 1852, is regarded as the village’s oldest standing building. The village is currently recognized as an artist’s community, with annual festivals, exhibitions, and art displays.
6.St. Hedwig, Bexar County
- Living Expenses: Texas’s 91.3 vs. 94.2 vs. 100 (USA)
- Rate of Crime: 13.8 vs 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: San Antonio is 22 kilometers away.
- Regional Events: Green Acres Golf and Games, Crescent Bend Nature Park, and Calaveras Lake
Adjacent to San Antonio, St. Hedwig, Texas, is a tranquil hamlet of ranches with lots of open space and a small-town atmosphere. The majority of St. Hedwig’s current people can trace their heritage back to Germany and Poland. The community was founded in 1852 by German and Polish immigrants and was named after Saint Hedwig.
Being close to the outdoors, St. Hedwig offers a plethora of outdoor recreational opportunities, such as bicycling and hiking routes, camping areas, and fishing locations. Just 22 miles away is the large city of San Antonio, which offers easy access to the greatest medical facilities, an international airport, and all the benefits that come with living in a large metropolis.
Retirement seekers seeking seclusion in their later years without sacrificing proximity to a major metropolis such as San Antonio may find St. Hedwig to be a great choice due to its comparatively low cost of living and low crime rate.
5.Fulton, Aransas County
- Living Expenses: Texas’s 89.2 vs. 94.2 vs. 100 (USA)
- Rate of Crime: 19.5 as opposed to 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: 35 miles away is Corpus Christi, Texas.
- Regional Events: Fulton Fishing Pier, Fulton Beach Park, and Linda S. Castro Nature Sanctuary
Due to its picturesque waterfront position and reasonably priced median property cost, Fulton, a small beach town in Texas just north of Rockport on the Gulf of Mexico, may be regarded as one of the many inexpensive little towns in the South to live in with beaches.
Living in this town offers many sights to view; the Fulton Mansion State Historic Site is still standing, and it is one of the first Second Empire-style structures built in Texas. Anyone who like architecture and history should definitely check out this stunning historic house that has undergone extensive restoration.
More than just beach and surf at Fulton Beach Park, the town boasts great birdwatching, a lively festival scene, and a colorful downtown. Located in the heart of Fulton, Fulton Harbor was once primarily used by commercial fishing boats, but in recent years, it has gained popularity as a tourist attraction.
4.Santa Anna, Coleman County
- Living Expenses: Texas’s 94.2 vs. 71.4 vs. 100 (USA)
- Rate of Crime: 20.5 vs 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: Texas – Waco – 141 miles
- Regional Events: Santa Fe Railroad Depot, Brown County Museum of History, and Harvey House
Santa Anna expanded quickly and became a cattle shipping hub once the Santa Fe railroad was built in 1886. Custom-made furniture has become the town’s trademark, and inhabitants and visitors from outside the area may be found shopping at the many antique, furniture, and specialty shops.
During major political events like the Texas Revolution (1835–36) and the Mexican American War (1846–48), the historic town served as the epicenter. Historical markers can be found in the Santa Fe Railroad Depot, Brown County Museum of History, and Harvey House. This small town has a wonderful sense of community and a very low cost of living, which makes it an excellent spot to retire. The peaceful, leisurely hamlet is located very close to Waco and nearly in the middle of the major cities of Austin and Fort Worth.
3.Texline, Dallam County
- Living Expenses: Texas’s 66.7 vs. 94.2 vs. 100 (USA)
- Rate of Crime: 15.5 vs 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: TX – Amarillo – 121 miles
- Regional Events: Clayton Lake State Park, the XIT museum, and the Herzstein Memorial Museum
Texline is a small town in Northwest Texas that gets its name from being close to the state line separating New Mexico and Texas. Regarding the boundaries between Texas and New Mexico drawn between the 100th and 103rd meridian in 1859, Texline was embroiled in a debate that arose at the beginning of the 20th century. When a traveler leaves or enters Texline, they pass through a different state, county, city, and time zone; the difference in time is one hour because Central and Mountain time is switched.
Beyond its fascinating information, Texline has a cozy small-town feel that fosters a sense of belonging and ties visitors to the region’s rich cultural heritage. Within 30 to 40 minutes of Texline, on each side of the state line, are state parks, golf courses, and museums, providing plenty of activities for both locals and visitors. Texline is an ideal place for retirement for retirees, offering among the lowest cost of living in the state and extremely reasonable median home prices.
2.Marathon, Brewster County
- Living Expenses: Texas vs. 94.2 vs. 100 (USA) vs. 83.2
- Rate of Crime: 14.9 as opposed to 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: TX Odessa – 141 miles
- Regional Events: Dark Texas skies, Gage Gardens, and the smallest Buc-ee’s
A popular night sky location for astrophotographers and stargazers worldwide, Marathon is the nearest town to Big Bend National Park. One reason Big Bend National Park is America’s most underappreciated national park is its remote location, which also contributes to its difficult hiking paths and lovely campgrounds. This area, which has the Glass Mountains to the north and the Del Norte-Santiago range to the south, is tucked away in a broad basin and serves as a transition zone between the higher alpine grasslands and the prickly scrub of the Chihuahuan Desert.
A prominent feature of this charming hamlet in west Texas is the rebuilt and historically significant Gage Hotel. Marathon has developed into a stand-alone vacation destination thanks to its good dining options, varied selection of stores and galleries, and bird viewing opportunities at Marathon Post Park.
With only 275 residents, the area is tranquil and offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation while taking in some of the darkest night skies in the continental US. For seniors seeking tranquility amidst Texan landscapes, it’s the perfect place to be because of its affordable housing, cheap cost of living, and consistently pleasant weather.
1.Paint Rock, Concho County
- Living Expenses: Texas’s 75.7 vs. 94.2 vs. 100 (USA)
- Rate of Crime: 16.2 as opposed to 22.7 (USA)
- nearest large city: Los Angeles, California – 32 miles
- Regional Events: Concho Springs Golf Course, Earnest and Dorothy Barrow Foundation Museum, Garden of Eden
Paint Rock, Texas, is a small town of less than 250 people whose name originates from 1,000-year-old Indian pictographs that are painted on cliffs overlooking the neighboring Concho River. More than 1,500 colorful pictographs, including geometric designs, handprints, and images of people and animals, may be found on the website. Before scheduling a tour ($20 for three adults), elders should consider that the pictographs are approximately an hour’s short hike away.
It is not surprising that a large number of people decide to settle here given the breathtaking views and landscapes as well as the wealth of outdoor activities that are offered. Paint Rock is a very good choice for seniors searching for a low-cost lifestyle because of its comparatively low cost of living and reasonable median housing prices. Residents also take advantage of the small-town atmosphere and abundance of social and commercial opportunities.