Gated retirement communities, 55+ benefits, golf, sports, food: Texas has it. Any place in Texas is great for retirement! No state income tax. You can play golf and other sports year-round most of the time because of the mild weather. Find a low cost of living, a friendly, welcoming, diverse culture, lots of spectacular natural beauty, and many fun attractions. The state has more than 600 hospitals offering the best medical facilities, with many nationally ranked in adult specialties.
Here are some 55+ retirement communities in fantastic retirement areas where I would like to retire — if I wasn’t already retired right here in Fort Worth. These are great locations away from the heavy traffic yet close enough to the big city to access perks and medical facilities.
1. Boot Ranch – Fredericksburg
Deep in the heart of Texas Hill Country, five miles north of Fredericksburg, you’ll find the Club at Boot Ranch, offering amenities and activities for family members. All property purchases include a multi-generational Boot Ranch membership extending club privileges to five generations of your extended family without additional fees. The 55,000-square-foot Clubhouse Village is the heart of social events, fine dining, and five-star service, including the golf shop, the spa, men’s and ladies locker rooms, lodge suites, and fine and casual dining. Family activities concentrate on multi-generational recreation and socialization.
2. Affinity Retirement – Round Rock
Not your average 55+ community, The Affinity at Round Rock offers amenities for active adults pursuing individual passions through a vibrant social scene. Check out the community of amenities including restaurants, cafes, pubs, an indoor saltwater pool and spa, and a fitness center. You’ll find hobby centers like billiards and a game room, a workshop, and a crafts studio, play pickleball, see a movie in the theater, walk your dog at the dog park, and use the dog wash spa. Reasonably priced one- and two-bedroom apartments are available with cable, Wi-Fi, and utilities. Round Rock, located near Austin, is nationally known as one of the country’s most livable towns.
3. Del Webb Sun City – Georgetown
Sun City, Texas, a 55+ community near Georgetown and Austin, offers an active lifestyle where you can enjoy a game of golf at three world-class golf courses, play pickleball or tennis, or learn ballroom dance. Enjoy music at the Lakeside Amphitheater, access two state-of-the-art fitness centers, walk the paths throughout, or relax at the resort-style pool. Schedule a day or overnight experience to connect to the amenities and activities. Sun City is where new neighbors become life-long friends. Select from new construction, stylish and comfortable homes.
4. Tuscan Village At Horseshoe Bay
Tuscan Village at Horseshoe Bay offers 55+ homebuyers resort-style living with Clubhouse Salus, a lifestyle director, crafting clubs and activities for residents, plus a Jack Nicholas-designed golf course. Located near Marble Falls on Lake LBJ and a short drive to Austin or San Antonio, the community boasts Texas weather perfect for year-round golf, pickleball, pool and patio, walking trails, a community garden, and a dog park.
Residences include townhomes, single-family villas, and single-family golf estates. Nature lovers will appreciate being close to Lake LBJ, Johnson Park, Clear Cove Park, and Longhorn Cavern State Park. Golfers can access The Club at Horseshoe Bay, Slick Rock Golf Course, and Escondido Golf Course. You’ll find over 60 wineries in the area as well. For inspiration, see my article about my favorite dozen wineries near Horseshoe Bay.
5. The Stayton At Museum Way – Fort Worth
At the Stayton at Museum Way, engage in active senior living with art museums like The Kimbell, The Modern, and the Amon Carter Museum a stone’s toss away, plus easy access to The Bass and Sundance Square. Enjoy the Skyline Restaurant, lounge, café, bistro, private dining room, art gallery, performing arts center, and library. The salon, spa, and barbershop are handy, and you’ll have convenient access to the indoor pool and fitness center.
Choose from one-or-two-bedroom luxury apartments with beautiful views of west Fort Worth. The best thing about Stayton: You’ll have guaranteed priority lifetime on-site therapy and rehabilitation, assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing care when the time comes. Appreciate services that come standard, including 24/7 concierge service, gated access underground, valet parking, and weekly housekeeping and linen service.
6. Robson Ranch – Denton
Active adults 55+ are redefining luxury retirement living at Robson Ranch resort community, south of Denton near the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Ranch-style scenery boasts rolling hills and open views with everything right near your doorstep: Access 10 luxury, energy-efficient model homes from 1,413 to 3,228 square feet. Enjoy championship golf and a pro shop, 16 pickleball courts, a tennis complex, a softball field, a dog park, the clubhouse, fitness offers, pools, and grills. Over 100 clubs and activities will keep you busy, and the creative arts center and walking paths help you stay active. Review video model home virtual tours to help make your selection, then arrange a stay on the property to get a first-hand experience of Robson Ranch.
7. Del Webb At The Woodlands
The gated Del Webb at the Woodlands community, between Houston and Huntsville, offers residents an active lifestyle and resort living with a 14,000 square foot clubhouse, activities, clubs, and lots of community amenities. Enjoy bike and walking trails, pickleball, bocce, tennis courts, a fitness room, water aerobics class, and a swimming pool. Discover arts, crafts, technology classes, or read or work in the cyber café or coffee bar. Access nearby Woodland’s golf, shopping, restaurants, events, and more. Choose from several two-and-three-bedroom homes with open concept plans and two-car garages.
8. Bonterra At Cross Creek Ranch
Bonterra at Cross Creek Ranch near Fulshear boasts all the 55+ amenities plus family-sized homes with more space for entertaining instead of extra bedrooms. You’ll enjoy the resort-like experience with a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, lagoon-style pool, fire pit, pickleball, and bocce ball courts. Hike and bike the many picturesque trails around nature preserves and dazzling lakes.
You’ll find small-town charm in Fort Bend County and easy access to Houston via the new Westpark Tollway, FM 1093, to Interstate 10. You are close to Brazos Bend State Park, the Fort Bend Museum, historic downtown Richmond, Rosenberg Railroad Museum, and the George Observatory.
9. Hill Country Retreat – San Antonio
New homesites have just been released at 55+ Del Webb Hill Country Retreat near San Antonio. You’ll love the open floor plans, consumer-inspired smart home options, eat-in kitchens, and enormous owner’s suites. Indulge in the resort-style amenities, including a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, and walking trails. San Antonio is home to three military bases, rolling hill country, quaint towns, and wineries galore, and you can play golf every day. You are close to the Pearl District on the San Antonio Riverwalk with great chef-owned restaurants, boutique shops, and more.
Pro Tip: For more on the 22-acre entertainment district, read fellow TravelAwaits writer Penny Sadler’s guide to enjoying a luxurious weekend in the Pearl.
10. The Kissing Tree – San Marcos
Tucked in between Austin and San Antonio in San Marcos, Kissing Tree is for boomers, with legendary living carved into the Texas Hill Country. Enjoy the golf course, Biergarten, resort pool, pickleball courts, and fitness center. Centered in the 20-acre amenity campus is Independence Hall, the social club at the resort, boasting Sam’s Café, the activity classroom, a culinary kitchen, the bar, an indoor movie screen, pool tables, shuffleboard, a vintage jukebox, and ample table space for dinner or a game of bridge. Named after San Marcos’ historic oak tree, the Kissing Tree is where Sam Houston gave his speech bidding for governor. You can choose from traditional homes, cottages, villas with quaint covered patios, extended garage storage, oversized owner’s suites, and grand kitchen and living spaces.
11. Foster’s Ridge In Conroe
In Conroe, Foster’s Ridge, 45 minutes north of Houston, offers an excellent location for active 55+ adults with easy access to exciting attractions, activities, health care, and grocery and shopping opportunities. You’ll find 13 golf courses and country clubs within 30 minutes of the resort, including the Club at Carlton Woods, featuring a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. You are close to the museums, festivals, and sports teams, and the airport is 45 minutes away for travel or grandkids’ visits. Enjoy a community recreation center, community pool and patio, and multipurpose rooms for classes. See homes with two and three bedrooms, grand living and kitchen areas, master suites, office space, and spare bedrooms.
A Personal Note: My husband and I happily retired in 2016 and live in Park Glen in north Fort Worth. This month, we will make the last payment on our home after adding a patio expansion this summer with a water feature, pergola, landscaping, outdoor kitchen, and raised flower beds for a garden. We love being a half-mile from the grocery and pharmacy and a mile from our grandchildren.
