Have you considered the Texas Hill Country for your retirement years?
A mild climate, a leisurely lifestyle, breathtaking views, and more than a dozen outdoor attractions are just a few reasons why the Texas Hill Country is a top favored area in Texas for retirement. Give thought to this and its rolling hills, windy roads, 13 beautiful state parks, and an abundance of wildlife, and put this area in Central Texas on your list of places to spend your senior years. If you’re still interested, grab a pen and peruse these best Texas Hill Country towns to retire.
Small towns in the Hill Country offer many benefits for retirees. It’s actually the very place I would like to retire. Every time I visit the area, I always run into friendly people, and I love Texas wines and the small-town feel.
Marble Falls stands out for its beautiful scenery, lakes, and great parks to take the grandkids. While, Fredericksburg may appeal to some with its rich German heritage and history, as well as its reputation as “wine country,” it might be the more expensive route. Comfort is another great option, offering a blend of country charm, peaceful neighborhoods, and is less well-known than most areas of the Hill Country.
Best Texas Hill Country Towns To Retire
Not sure what your retirment plans are, but I hope they involved wine while enjoying retirement. , or at least a little. With over 100 wineries in the Texas Hill Country, and half of them in Fredericksburg, wineries in the area are all different with having own uniqueness. The towns chosen on this list are ones that I’ve visted, some more than others.
Marble Falls
Population 7,423
Marble Falls has its perks for active retirees, that is, if golfing and water activities are on your “things to do when I retire list.” The town is situated along the shores of Lake Marble Falls, and with Lake LBJ nearby. Your golf games will undoubtedly be one heck of a round with beautiful views and perfect weather. And with Austin just a short drive away, you’ll benefit from easy access to all the city’s shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Before deciding if Marble Falls is right for you, consider taking a drive on scenic Hwy 1431 toward Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge and Hwy 281 to explore the area.
I do need to say that Hwy 281 from Hamilton to Marble Falls can get quite trafficky on the weekends and holidays. That’s the only downfall I see about retiring in Marble Falls.
Horseshoe Bay
Population 5,218
Horseshoe Bay in the Hill Country is a prime area for retirees, especially if you love to golf and spend time on the lake. The Horseshoe Bay Resort offers an exceptional golf course and numerous watercraft opportunities, including kayaking, canoeing, boating, and fishing, all available year-round.
I just returned from spending three full days at the Horseshoe Bay Resort, and I would consider this place for retirement (if I can afford it). But, that’s as far as I got – just thinking about it. But I did love our boat ride on Lake LBJ and all the perks at the resort. A review of the resort is coming soon.
Johnson City
Population 1,826
When you retire in Johnson City, you’re near the towns of Stonewall, Hye, and Blanco and the Pedernales Falls State Park. That park is gorgeous, as is the state park in Blanco. Plus, there are wineries all up and down Hwy 290, aka Wine Road. They also have a great coffee shop. I won’t miss a visit when I’m there.
If you find retiring in Fredericksburg is too expensive and too crowded, and don’t mind driving a little further to the grocery store, you may want to consider this small town.
Wimberley
Population 2,890
Yet another place for active retirees in the Texas Hill Country. Further south of Austin sits the lovely town of Wimberley, with no major highways running through town. However, it’s accessible from Austin and San Antonio. Wimberley’s natural beauty, small-town charm, and outdoor attractions, such as Old Baldy, Blue Hole, and Jacob’s Well, make it a truly special place to call home.
Comfort
Population 3,018
If relaxing and doing pretty much nothing, you’ll love this small, cozy town in the Hill Country. And if you want to get out and enjoy the countryside, you can bike ride at Flat Rock Ranch or take a walk in the James Kiehl Natural Area. There’s not much to do here, but the town is growing. The antique shops are great fun to browse through.
Dripping Springs
Population 7,057
Dripping Springs boasts small-town hospitality. The Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve and the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center are nearby, offering a full day of outdoor fun and beautiful waterfalls. Visiting breweries, distillers, and wineries is an option on any day, as there are plenty in this area.
While scoping out this darling town, you may want to make some time for lunch or dinner at The Salt Lick BBQ restaurant. It offers finger-licking good barbecue and live music in its outdoor space. The restaurant is in Driftwood, a short distance from Dripping Springs.
Kerrville
Population 24,752
Kerrville is one of the larger cities in the Hill Country, and one I fell in love with when I visited for the first time. A friend and I recently took a trip and spent a weekend in Kerrville, enjoying the opportunity to explore the town. My favorite place is the Cafe on the Ridge. The whole family will love this place – trust me, there is something for everyone here, including a garden, retail shop, ice cream, and plenty of room to roam. They dress it up for each season. We visited in the fall, and pumpkins were everywhere.
There is plenty of fishing, hunting, birding, golfing, and nature walking to do here. With all the parks in town, it’s not hard to find fun for you and the grandkids., Kerrville offers upscale retail shops, including James Avery Retail and Headquarters, art exhibits, nice and casual restaurants, breweries, and wineries. A farmers market in the downtown area is a local’s favorite.
Additionally, if you own a motorcycle and enjoy riding, numerous motorcycle routes outside of town offer scenic views along winding roads. Take the path that starts in Kerrville, crossing the Guadalupe River and heading into Bandera, Texas.
Fredericksburg
Population 11,257
This list wouldn’t be complete without adding this popular destination for considering a retirement home in the Hill Country. I love to visit, but I wouldn’t live here – it’s overly crowded and has too many tourists daily, which is just my preference.
Outside of town would be a better option. There are Llano and San Saba to think about.
Llano
Population 3,482
Llano is a town not to be missed when considering retirement in the Hill Country. It’s a small town located between San Saba and Fredericksburg, and not too far from Enchanted Rock State Park.
If you or your spouse is a hunter, you might want to know, if you don’t already, that Llano’s title “Deer Capital of Texas” is worth checking out.
Boerne (Burn-ee)
Population 22,022
The charming Main Street and the many parks are two of the things that draw visitors to Boerne. Retirees can enjoy an ideal retirement lifestyle in Boerne if they love to shop, dine, and live in a natural setting. Boerne is known for The Hill Country Mile, aka Main Street, offering plenty of boutiques, one-of-a-kind shops, and thrift stores along Main Street – plus eateries and brewers to sink your mouth into. Cibolo Creek is on one end of Main Street and is a beaut to walk around and feed the ducks.
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