Lifestyle

6 Reasons to Waltz Across Texas and Retire in the Hill Country

By  | 
Tony Maples Photography

 

Many people spend their entire lives working to make life easier on themselves once retirement rolls around. Of that group, many will plan around moving someplace amenable to their senior lifestyles and focuses. That’s not to say that once you retire you suddenly curl up with a book and a cat, but with advanced years comes advanced planning for the possibility of slowing down (just a little). Not only may health factors play a supporting role in this, but your budget can as well. Your disposable income might just have the boots taken to it after you finish your 9-5.

With that in mind, consider putting your retirement roots in a warm-weather climate where there’s no state income tax and the cost of living is lower than the national average. Add to that a strong economy, low unemployment rates and a reasonably strong housing market and now you’re cooking with gas! Ranked the 7th best state overall to retire in by WalletHub, Texas has numerous towns that are suited to empty-nesters looking for different scenery and a slower pace, and here are some of the Hill Country highlights.

1. Burnet

Canyon-of-the-Eagles-Resort-Burnet-TX-–-Hallmarks-in-Hill-Country-Hospitality_01

Photo: texashillcountry.com

With 18.1% of its residents being seniors and an average monthly mortgage of $872, Burnet is no secret to the “silver foxes” and “femme fatales” of the Texas Hill Country. A low crime rate, readily accessible social life (restaurants, visiting the Highland Lakes, Longhorn Cavern and State Park, the Vanishing Texas River Cruise, and don’t forget the Texas Wine Trail!) and beautiful scenery as far as the eye can see (even further if you feel like taking a road trip through the rolling Texas Hill Country), Burnet will take your breath away – in a good way!

2. Fredericksburg

body-bg-2000x1331
Photo: www.beckervineyards.com

Tipping the scale at 31.4% of residents being 65 or older, Fredericksburg is a fine addition to this list of hard-to-tops in terms of Hill Country retirement havens. With its picturesque old world German charm coupled with a low crime rate, this town made it onto the Forbes’ 25 Best Places to Retire List for 2014 – which is no small feat! A warm climate, good air quality and a cost of living that was noted at 5% below the national average made Fredericksburg a top Texas Hill Country retirement choice!

Page 1 of 3:123