Many people dream of retiring to the Texas countryside and getting away from the big city hustle and bustle, and there are two places in particular that should be on the radar for any retiring Austinites: Georgetown and Burnet.
The Hill Country destinations, plus five others slightly farther afield, were given the spotlight in a March report that ranked "7 Beautiful Places To Retire In Texas Hill Country" by global travel website TheTravel. The report focused on small cities or towns with a lower cost of living, lower crime rates, and a variety of attractions.
Although everything in the Hill Country is necessarily close to Austin (never more than a few hours away), two of these seven cities were close neighbors. Another two were especially close to San Antonio, making these four great choices for retired folks who want to remain an hour or so from a major city, getting the best of both worlds.
Near Austin
Georgetown, sixth of the list, is a common name to hear in Austin, especially when locals speak of getting out of town for the day or commuting for work. Its laid-back, yet not quite sleepy daily thrum is perfect for escaping Austin's high prices and faster pace without sacrificing culture. In 2022, this active small town was named one of the best for starting a business.
At the time of this article, Georgetown is between two of its signature events. Two Step Inn, an eclectic country music festival that showcased artists this year as different as Cody Johnson and Ludacris, was held April 20-21. This was its second year after an extremely successful debut. Next up from April 26-28 is the more established Red Poppy Festival, which brings together food vendors, musicians, a parade, a car show, and more in celebration of the area's beautiful blooms.
"Georgetown is one of the many beautiful cities to retire in Texas Hill Country with its natural beauty, historic allure, and recreational opportunities," says the report. "This stunning city also boasts one of the state's most beautiful downtowns with historical buildings such as the rumored-to-be-haunted Old Williamson County Jail and the neoclassical Williamson Courthouse."
Georgetown's beautiful buildings have a lot of old fashioned character.
wikimedia.org
Less referenced by locals, but still relatively close by is Burnet, a small city north of Marble Falls. About an hour and a half from most of Austin, this would be a better option for retirees who want to be thoroughly removed from the urban sprawl. Despite — or perhaps thanks to — its ability to fly under the radar of Austin locals, this town beat Georgetown and made No. 3 on the list. Both only had slightly lower costs of living than the national average: 4.6 percent lower for Burnet, and 3 percent for Georgetown.
Burnet also has its own floral festival: the Bluebonnet Festival, which was held April 12-14. This outdoorsy festival also hosted many visitors for the eclipse and emphasizes its superlative access to nature. Boating, fishing, camping, and biking are common activities, and the many historical buildings offer some interesting tour routes.
"Burnet sits at the edge of Texas Hill Country and dates back to the 19th century when it was first established as a fort," says the report. "Despite its modernity, Burnet retains its unique identity and rural charm, drawing retirees seeking a close-knit community and activities to keep their social lives active."
Near San Antonio
New Braunfels, which was already one of the hottest moving destinations for Texans of all ages, ranked the seventh best Hill Country place to retire. The city's cost of living is 15 percent lower than the national average, the study found, with average rent prices at $1,468 per month. TheTravel says the city's crime rate is 16.8, which is far below the national average of 22.7.
Statistics aside, New Braunfels is an enticing place for the retirement crowd, thanks to its abundance of natural beauty and family-friendly attractions. Highlighted places to visit include Schlitterbahn Waterpark, McKenna Children's Museum, New Braunfels Historic Railroad and Modelers Society, the Gruene Historic District, and many more.
"One of the parks that the Guadalupe River passes by is Nichol's Landing, a primitive park known for excellent paddling opportunities," the report's author wrote. "Although there's limited parking, the park welcomes walk-in visitors and is ideal for a relaxing day along the clear-flowing river waters, especially on a hot summer day. However, seniors who want to stretch their legs along an easy trail as they explore the local flora and fauna can visit the lush 51-acre Landa Park."
Two spots ahead of New Braunfels is the small town of Boerne, earning No. 5. Boerne's population of just over 23,300 is vastly smaller than New Braunfels' population of more than 116,000, making it a much more quaint place for retirement-age individuals looking for a quieter lifestyle.
Even with the smaller overall population, the town's crime rate is similar to New Braunfels – at 16.2 – but still lower than the national average. Average rent prices are also lower, at $1,315 per month.
TheTravel says must-see places to visit in Boerne include the Farmer's Market at the Cibolo, Tusculum Brewing Company, Gina Marie's Art Studio, Cascade Caverns, and more.
Athletic retired folks will love exploring the caverns in Boerne.thetravel.com
"Named in honor of Karl Ludwig Börne, a German author, Boerne has a rich heritage best explored during a walking tour of the historic district," the report said. "Moreover, Boerne boasts beautiful places to explore, such as the famed Cave Without A Name, an otherworldly cavern with fascinating geological formations."
The No. 1 best place to retire in the Hill Country is the small town of Comfort, which is less than 50 miles outside San Antonio. It has the smallest population out of all seven destinations on the list, at 1,955 people. The average cost of living in Comfort is 17 percent lower than the national average, but the average rent is higher than New Braunfels' and Boerne's at $1,480 per month. However, much like Boerne, Comfort is full of German history.
"Comfort also has one of Texas’ best preserved historic districts, with over 100 buildings constructed between the 1850s and 1950s, some designed by renowned architect Alfred Giles, such as Hotel Giles," the report said. "The historic district boasts restaurants and charming shops catering to antique collectors and shoppers."
Other notable places to visit in Comfort include the James Kiehl Natural Area, Singing Water Vineyards, Bending Branch Winery, and the Treue Der Union Monument.
The best places to retire in the Hill Country are:
- No. 1 – Comfort
- No. 2 – Wimberley
- No. 3 – Burnet
- No. 4 – Fredericksburg
- No. 5 – Boerne
- No. 6 – Georgetown
- No. 7 – New Braunfels
