As the second-largest state in the U.S., Texas offers a variety of attractions, multiple cost-of-living options, and warm climate conditions that are great for retirees. If you aren’t a fan of the Lone Star State and you’re looking for places that give you a similar experience, here are 17 locations to consider.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky, offering culture, mild winters, and hot summers that are similar to those of Texas. The prices of houses and the cost of living are also relatively low here, and you even have a diverse array of culinary masterpieces and attractions to explore during your golden years.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The capital city of Oklahoma (and also its largest) is right beside Texas. Alongside affordable housing, healthcare, and transportation, it has a rich arts culture. The city houses attractions like the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
Omaha, Nebraska
With Omaha, which is also the largest city in its state, retirees enjoy a low cost of housing and an affordable cost of living. The city can get a little colder than Texas in the winter, but it still remains at habitable temperatures for retirees. There are also historic sites, restaurants, and art galleries to fill your curiosity.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
This one’s for outdoorsy retirees. Hot Springs is a direct reflection of its name, offering beautiful forests, three large lakes for fishing and boating, and bathhouses with natural mineral-rich streams. The cost of living here is also low, and the city shows that it houses some of the finest medical facilities around.
Paducah, Kentucky
Creative retirees will have a blast at Paducah. Not only does it have art galleries, museums, and creative workshops for seniors, but art is so deep in its heritage that it has a UNESCO-designated Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art title. Winters are mild, and you also enjoy one of the lowest income tax rates in the U.S.
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is the second-largest city in Tennessee, with a reputation for being hospitable, having some of the best BBQ restaurants, and offering attractions through museums, zoos, and botanical gardens. It’s a great spot for retirees who love music, as its heritage features legend Elvis Presley and venues like Beale Street and Graceland.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Cities don’t come more similar to Texas than Little Rock. The capital of Arkansas offers similar climates and landscapes, as well as a mix of similar cultures and lifestyles to explore. With Little Rock, you also get a populous community filled with culinary diversity, southern hospitality, and a love for country music.
Mesquite, Nevada
With over 300 days of sunshine, as the Mesquite government reports, the city is another climate-friendly location for retirees. Although the cost of housing here may be on the upside compared to other cities on our list, its natural landscape design allows you to explore retirement-friendly activities like golfing, hiking, and picture-perfect desert excursions.
Springfield, Missouri
Retirees in this city can get houses in low-crime neighborhoods, and U.S. News & World Report recently rated it the 19th most affordable city in the country. There are communities and social events dedicated to its over 26,000 seniors, and you also enjoy proximity to popular spots for music, theater, and water sports.
St. George, Utah
Retirees at St. George don’t have to worry about finding something to do. Alongside its rich landscape for hiking, biking, and kayaking, the city comes with low crime rates, great healthcare, and indoor attractions like the Fiesta Fun Family Fun Center and the Green Valley Spa.
Biloxi, Mississippi
With Biloxi, it’s all about basking at sandy beaches, relaxing at resorts, and dining at upscale restaurants without breaking the bank. This city on the Gulf Coast comes with dry winters, humid summers, and a museum about its maritime and seafood industries. The cost of living here is also 15% cheaper than in Texas.
Port St. Lucie, Florida
At Port St. Lucie, retirees get to save money thanks to the absence of state income taxes. There are also mild winters, rich communities for seniors, and slow-paced outdoor attractions like golf courses and ponds for fishing. The nightlife and restaurant scenes also bustle, and seniors who want to get active can go on hikes and kayaks.
Traverse City, Michigan
Retirees in Texas who don’t like the year-long hot climate can look to Traverse City as their solution. This small city offers moderately tempered summers and a rife array of outdoor activities centered around Lake Michigan. Its size also means seniors get walkable distances between attractions.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga’s atmosphere is calm, and temperatures permit year-long outdoor activities. Retirees can learn some history at the Hunter Museum of American Art and Creative Discovery Museum, and they can also catch good times at scenic outdoor landscapes and a diversity of indoor venues.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is another large city (the largest in New Mexico) with generally sunny weather and a low cost of living. Retirees have many options to kill boredom, from basking on the Sandia Peak Tramway to learning native culture at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and looking forward to the annual International Balloon Fiesta.
Las Cruces, New Mexico
This desert city in southern New Mexico showers retirees with abundant sunshine and low-humid atmospheres all year round, as it says itself. While saving on housing, you can get active hiking or biking at attractions like the Organ Mountains and Desert Peaks and enjoy landscape features closely resembling those of Texas.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Did you know Texas was once part of Mexico? If you don’t mind retiring outside the U.S., San Miguel de Allende is another popular spot to look at. Its year-long warm days and cool nights are perfect for retirees, and it also comes with cultural attractions that are reminiscent of Austin. The best part is that you can cut your overall expenses in half, whether it’s housing, healthcare, or daily expenditures.
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