As we've covered elsewhere, Texas is an amazing place to start your retirement. One of the most exciting parts of retiring to Texas is getting to choose which of the many amazing and unique cities you’ll settle down in. With its wide range of cities to choose from, it’s safe to say that regardless of your tastes Texas will have the perfect city for you. From some of the country’s biggest cities, to small, laid back towns, you’ll love wherever you decide to live in Texas. And while the cities themselves are all unique and all have their own distinct qualities, they all share what makes Texas great for retirees - warm weather, low taxes, and a cheap cost of living!‍

How to choose the right city

When choosing a city to retire in, there are a lot of things to consider. One of the most important factors is what you want out of your retirement. Do you want to live in a big city with lots of activities and other retirees, or do you want to live in a smaller town where you can relax and take things at your own pace? Another thing to consider is your budget. Some cities are more expensive than others, so make sure you can afford to live there comfortably. Finally, it's important to think about your needs and wants. Do you need a city that has good healthcare facilities nearby, or do you plan on traveling frequently? Consider all of these things when making your decision, and you're sure to pick the city that’s most suited to your retirement.

Houston

If you love the idea of retiring in and around a major US city, Houston may be the place for you. Houston is the country’s fourth largest city and so there will always be plenty to do in such a big and dynamic city. Along with the activity that comes with a city its size, Houston is also near the Gulf Coast, providing residents with access to wonderful beaches similar to those in Florida. Houston is widely considered to be one of the best places to retire in Texas, due in large part to all of the services and amenities that come with being one of the country’s largest and most economically important cities. Accordingly, Houston ranks high on two factors that are incredibly important to people at or near retirement: healthcare and entertainment. A study by the personal finance website SmartAsset found that Houston and its suburbs have the highest amount of doctors, entertainment centers, and retirement centers per capita in the entire state, making it an ideal place to retire.

Beaumont

If you like the idea of Houston but want to be in a smaller city, Beaumont, which is only an hour and a half away from Houston, may be perfect for you. This means that you can still take advantage of all the amenities that Houston has to offer, including it’s world-class healthcare, while living in a smaller, more relaxed, and maybe most importantly, cheaper city. Along with easy access to Houston, Beaumont is a beautiful town in its own right. Located on the beautiful Neches River, Beaumont residents can enjoy a host of outdoor activities particularly those on the water. Nearby Sabine Lake provides amazing fishing, with an outlet to the Gulf of Mexico as well! 

Corpus Christi 

If you like the idea of a laid-back lifestyle on the Gulf Coast, but want a slightly bigger city than Beaumont, another city to explore is Corpus Christi. Like Beaumont, Corpus Christi offers a low-cost retirement along the waters of the beautiful Gulf Coast. If you think you’re going to be spending a lot of your retirement at the beach, Corpus Christi provides easy access to the Padre Island National Seashore and its 70 miles of coastline. Along with trips to the beach, easy access to the Gulf also means that people in Corpus Christi can enjoy the world-class fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Additional attractions for both retirees and their families include the Texas State Aquarium, USS Lexington or South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. Finally, because it's on the water Corpus Christi offers beautiful weather year round, with average temperatures in the 60’s even in Corpus Christi’s coldest month of January.  ‍

Austin 

While Austin is often in the news for its thriving tech scene or the many concerts and events that come through the city, Austin is also an amazing place for people to retire. Many people know Austin for being the home of the University of Texas flagship campus, and while many people do not think that a college town and retirees mix the two actually go great together, as seniors age 65 and older can take up to six tuition free classes a semester (not to mention all the excitement that comes with the University nearby, like taking advantage of the drama or sports programs). Finally, Austin also boasts a world-class hospital system and top of the line medical care.  

‍‍Dallas

The Dallas-Fort Worth region provides another amazing area for retirees to relocate to, particularly if you’re a sports fan with the Cowboys (NFL), the Stars (NHL), the Mavericks (NBA), and the Rangers (MLB) all playing nearby. Along with these professional sports team, Dallas provides all the benefits you would come to expect from one of Texas’ major cities - namely access to great amenities and healthcare, temperate winters, and low taxes and cost of living.  ‍

San Antonio

If one of Dallas’ professional sports team isn’t enough for you, then maybe you’ll enjoy becoming a fan of the Spurs (NBA), who play in San Antonio, which is one of Texas’ fastest growing cities and an amazing place to move for retirement. In fact, in 2021 Forbes named San Antonio as one of the best places to retire in the entire country. Along with the affordable living and warm weather that you would come to expect from Texas, San Antonio also features a lively cultural and arts scene, and is known as an incredibly pedestrian and bike friendly city. San Antonio has amazing museums, such as the San Antonio Missions, which include the Alamo and were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015.

Texas is a great place to retire because it offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a big city with lots of activities and events, or somewhere quieter with more relaxed surroundings, Texas has a city that will fit your needs. Additionally, the weather in Texas is great year-round, making it an ideal location to spend your retirement years. Have you considered retiring in Texas? If not, these cities should definitely be on your list!

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