Travel to The Woodlands

Named by Niche as one of the country’s best places to live, The Woodlands is a planned suburban community about 34 miles from downtown Houston. Set on 28,000 acres, the destinations includes biking and hiking trails, parks, golf courses, and The Waterway, a 1.25-mile-long park with kayaking, paddleboarding, and water taxis. The median home price is $615,000, according to Redfin. Single-family homes, condos, townhouses, and apartments are available to rent in The Woodlands.

“In addition to world-class health care, arts and music events, a network of more than 200 miles of paved pathways and parks supporting outdoor activities like fishing, pickleball, and tennis, and close proximity to an international airport, The Woodlands has been consistently ranked a top place to live in the U.S.,” says Jacci Kilgore of The Jacci Group, Compass Real Estate. “With quality affordable housing and health care at the top of mind for many retirees, The Woodlands checks all the boxes.”

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Houston

“What makes Houston unique and especially versatile is that different areas of our big, spread-out town encourage various lifestyles for residents at all stages of life,” Laura Gerardi, realtor associate at the Bonck Group, tells T+L. “Those who are becoming empty nesters and considering retirement may gravitate toward suburban areas such as Katy, Cypress, or Sienna, where they can enjoy a slower-paced lifestyle while being able to afford a lot more house and/or land. In the heart of Houston, on the other hand, they can experience the best of both worlds — big-city living with plenty of diverse restaurants, shops, museums, and cultural, arts, and sports experiences.”

Niche calls Houston one of the best places to live in Texas. Located in eastern part of the state, near the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is home to a Museum District, excellent health facilities, and several colleges, including the University of Houston, where seniors ages 65 and older are able to audit courses for free. Housing costs vary depending on the area, from the city to the suburbs.

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Corpus Christi

Located near the Gulf of Mexico and the 70-mile Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi is an attractive retirement destination for fans of the beach, wildlife, and outdoors. The city also has a casual lifestyle, low housing prices, tasty seafood, and a large retiree population.

The Art Center offers all levels of art classes, and there are historic homes, parks, a marina, farmers markets, and the First Friday ArtWalk with music, food trucks, vendors, and art galleries. According to Redfin, the median home price is about $264,000.

“Corpus Christi’s slow-paced atmosphere appeals to visitors and locals who enjoy the warm winters, the beach vibe, fishing, and downtown’s restaurants and activities,” Devante Boll, realtor with KM Premier Real Estate, tells T+L. “The cost of living is affordable, and we’re seeing retirees and millennials coming to our area where they can buy a home at a lower price than in most beach cities.” He adds, “We enjoy our comfortable style of living, and we’re not far from big cities when we want a change of pace.”

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Lockhart

Lockhart offers an affordable cost of living, in addition to a median home price of $290,000, according to Redfin. Small-town charm, farmers markets, and a lively downtown known as the Square define Lockhart. The city is also known as the “Barbecue Capital of Texas,” with a barbecue history dating back to 1875.

“Located a quick 30 miles south of Austin, Lockhart is great for a day trip or weekend getaway for those wanting to visit the city known for its barbecue,” according to a March 2024 report by Chloe Stavinoha, market research analyst at Aquila, an Austin commercial real estate firm. “Lockhart offers a small-town atmosphere with the convenience of nearby cities. As a fast-growing region of Texas, Lockhart is a community with charm and character.”