Why retire in Texas? There are dozens of reasons: a low cost of living, friendly communities, and sunny days, to name a few. Our low cost of living means your retirement dollar stretches further so you can really enjoy your retirement; the friendly community means you’ll easily make new friends, and those sunny days are perfect for perfecting your pickleball game, fishing at the lake with your grandkids, or lounging by the pool. Texas has it all—and Union Park by Hillwood in Little Elm, TX has it all and then some. Living at Union Park—that’s how to retire in Texas!

Top Five Reasons to Retire in Texas

Affordability

At a rating of 94.2, the cost of living in Texas is below the national average of 100, and quite a bit below states like Massachusetts (149.7), California (137.6), and New York (134.5). Our mild climate means you’ll save on heating bills (and expensive winter clothing). And the state of Texas has the fifth-lowest tax burden per capita, with no state income tax or state property tax (though county and other property taxes may apply), plus tax exemptions for veterans and homeowners over age 65. Housing is more affordable, too.

Mild Climate

Do you feel the cold more than you used to? It’s not your imagination. As we age, decreased circulation, thinner skin, a slower metabolism, and even certain medications really do make us more susceptible to the cold. One of the best reasons to retire in Texas is our comfortable climate. The average high in January in Little Elm, TX is 58 °F, and we average 234 sunny days a year.  (Take that Chicago, with your 33 °F January highs and measly 189 sunny days!)

Activities to Suit Every Style

All those sunny days mean you have lots of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Texas boasts a wealth of golf courses, hiking and walking trails, world class sporting events, and outdoor festivals. Close to home, Union Park residents can enjoy all the waterfront activities at the Lakefront at Little Elm, plus amenities like resort-style pools, sports courts, parks and walking trails right in the community.

And on those rare days when you’d like to be inside, you’re close to local boutiques in Little Elm, world-class museums in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and top-notch shopping, restaurants, and entertainment in Frisco’s $5 Billion Mile.

Top-Notch Healthcare

One of the other great benefits of retiring in Texas is access to renowned medical centers, teaching hospitals, and research institutions, including Houston’s University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, ranked the number one cancer hospital in the United States. Baylor University Medical Center and Southwestern Medical Center (another top hospital in the country) are less than an hour’s drive from Union Park. There are also excellent healthcare facilities closer to home, with Medicare options widely available.

A Great Location for Travel (and Fun Near Home)

Little Elm, TX is just 25 minutes away from DFW International airport, where you can fly to all major cities in the continental United States within four-hours. You can also drive to dazzling downtown Dallas and fun-filled Frisco in under an hour.

Feel like a day trip? You can visit literally hundreds of attractions within an hour or two of Union Park, including:

  • Wineries, where you can taste the best wines North Texas has to offer
  • Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where you can see a huge variety of wildlife roaming the range—all from the comfort of your car!
  • Dinosaur valley state park, where you can walk in the tracks of dinosaurs.
  • Turner Falls, OK, where you can explore a “castle,” or rent a cabin, or cool off in the mist from Oklahoma ‘s largest waterfall.

If you’re in the mood for a longer road trip, you can drive to Oklahoma City in under three hours, Austin in under four hours, and Houston in under five.

Why Retire in Texas? FAQs

Where is the best place to retire?

In 2021, Florida gained the most retirees, with Arizona in second place, and Texas ranking in the top ten. That said, your best place to retire will depend on your priorities, like a comfortable climate, low cost of living, and/or proximity to family (or airports).

Is Texas a good place to retire?

Yes! The Lone Star State has a low cost of living, is tax-friendly to retirees, boasts a sunny, warm climate, and offers plenty of indoor and outdoor activities. Plus, newcomers are wowed by our famous Texas hospitality.

Where is the best place to retire in Texas?

U.S. News & World Report lists Killeen, TX as the top retirement destination, partly due to its low housing prices. The Dallas-Fort Worth area ranked a close second, with low housing costs, major healthcare providers, and easy access to sports, entertainment, and the arts.

Does Texas tax retirement income?

No. Texas has no state income tax.

Does Texas tax Social Security benefits?

No. Texas has no income taxes. That means no state taxes on any retirement income, including pensions, withdrawals from retirement accounts, and Social Security retirement benefits.

Benefits of Retiring in Texas at Union Park

When you choose to retire in Texas, especially at the Del Webb Active Adult Community in Union Park by Hillwood, you’ll get all the great benefits of retiring in Texas, plus you’ll get to live in Little Elm, which garnered a stellar rating of A- in Places to Live on niche.com. Union Park is a unique new home community that offers multigenerational living with various home types, sizes, styles and price ranges. Residents enjoy great amenities and perks including Union Park’s award-winning lifestyle program and on-site elementary school. And you’ll get to choose a gorgeous home from one of DFW’s premier homebuilders. Our new construction builders have available homes, and many are offering incentives, so now is a great time to buy! Take a look at your home choices online today.

How to best retire in Texas? Live in Union Park! Contact us today, and we’ll get you on the road to your dream retirement.