When most people think of Texas, they think of dry scrub plains and cattle ranches. But that’s not all Texas assisted living has to offer. Texas has miles of Gulf Coast beaches as well as rolling hills and grasslands, forests and mountains, spectacular canyons, and desert terrain. It’s one of the most popular states in the country for retirees—because of its mild weather, affordability, and high quality of life.
With the 7th lowest total tax burden of 50 states, Texas is definitely a tax-friendly place for retirees. There’s no income tax—for retiree income or other types of income—and property taxes were recently lowered. You can get a homestead exemption if you’re age 65 or older as well, and some communities have introduced property tax freezes for older residents.
Ask most people who live in Texas, and they’ll tell you that life is just a bit more relaxed here—even in the big cities. Texas senior housing can be found in charming small towns, vibrant college towns, and bustling big cities located along the Gulf Coast or nestled among rolling green hills, situated among mountain vistas, or in dramatic desert settings. Some popular areas for Texas retirement include:
Houston
The largest city in the state of Texas, Houston is home to over 2 million people of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds—and senior living in Houston has a lot of variety. Over 7 million visitors per year visit the Museum District, which offers numerous cultural, artistic, and historical exhibits. There’s a thriving creative community in the Theatre District, which offers an astounding array of theatre and numerous resident theatre companies. Houston hosts numerous annual events, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Houston Pride Parade, the Art Car Parade, the Houston International Festival, and the Bayou City Art Festival.
Dallas
Another Texas big city, Dallas is a large metropolitan center renowned for Tex-Mex, Mexican, and barbecue cuisine—the frozen margarita and the chain restaurant Chili’s both got their starts in Dallas. The city’s Arts District offers numerous art venues as well as the Dallas Museum of Art, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Orchestra, and the Dallas Children’s Theatre. Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood was one of the world’s greatest jazz and blues hotspots in the 20’s and 30’s—and today is still a cultural center for many of the city’s artists and musicians. Dallas senior living has plenty to offer.
Fredericksburg
A smaller town with a population of over 11,000, Fredericksburg is home to Texas German—a unique dialect originating from the town’s original German settlers, who refused to speak English at first upon emigrating to Texas. Many of the buildings in Fredericksburg’s Historic District date to the time of the original German settlers, and have highly unique architectural features. Today, Fredericksburg is a major center for agricultural tourism—offering herb farms, wineries, lavender and wildflower seed farms as well as fruit farms that let tourists and locals pick their own.
Austin
A highly liberal town in a mostly conservative state, Austin stands out as a mecca for arts, culture and music. Selected by Money Magazine as the second best big city in the country to live in, senior living in Austin, Texas draws many retirees and others every year. It’s home to the University of Texas, offering plenty of cultural and artistic activities and events. It’s also home to a thriving live music scene, with music festivals featuring bluegrass, folk, and rock music throughout the year.
If you’re looking for a relaxed pace of life, family-oriented communities, and plenty of space, Texas may be your ideal retirement state. Check out our free listing of Texas senior living and assisted living communities today—and get started planning your retirement.
