Two of the top 20 places to retire in the state of Texas can be found in the Highland Lakes, according to the websites Niche.com and Stacker.com.
Meadowlakes is ranked the No. 6 place in the Lone Star State to live for retirees, while Horseshoe Bay is ranked No. 20 overall out of 702 cities which were included in the list.
Meadowlakes was also named the top place to live in Burnet County by Niche, which uses a variety of factors to rank cities, including cost of living, health care, recreation and weather. Stacker then compiled those rankings to list the top 25 cities in Texas for retirees.
“Many retirees seek out easy access to indoor and outdoor recreation, from walking trails and water access to museums and theaters,” according to the rankings on Stacker. “Many desirable retirement destinations also have good proximity to major cities, ripe with arts, culture, and health care resources. But those choice locations carry the key drawback of a high cost of living, often due to pricey housing costs, that will not suit retirees often on fixed incomes. Low crime rates make a difference, as well.”
Meadowlakes
Meadowlakes, which has a population of 2,525, has a median home value of $261,400 — nearly $47,000 higher than the national average of $217,500 — and 85 percent of residents own their home. The median rent in Meadowlakes is $1,235, which is above the national average of $1,062.
The median household income of Meadowlakes is $88,219, which is nearly $26,000 higher than the national average of $62,843. Overall, the city’s Niche grade is a B-plus based on the 12 factors Niche uses to calculate its rankings.
Meadowlakes receives an A- for health and fitness due to the city’s Hidden Lakes Golf Course and an A for jobs, with a B-plus ranking for the weather and being a good place to raise a family. Receiving a grade of B are housing, nightlife and cost of living. Public schools received a ranking of B-minus, while outdoor activities, commute and diversity were ranked a C-plus. Crime and safety was not ranked by Niche.
“Living in Meadowlakes offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes,” according to Niche. “Many retirees live in Meadowlakes and residents tend to be conservative. The public schools in Meadowlakes are above average.”
Horseshoe Bay
Horseshoe Bay, which has a population of 4,100, has a median home value of $357,800 — more than $140,000 higher than the national average of $217,500. Like Meadowlakes, 85 percent of Horseshoe Bay residents own their home. The median rent in Horseshoe Bay is $1,137, which is above the national average of $1,062.
The median household income of Horseshoe Bay is $80,183, which is nearly $18,000 higher than the national average of $62,843. Overall, the city’s Niche grade is a B, based on the 12 factors Niche uses to calculate its rankings.
“Living in Horseshoe Bay offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes,” according to Niche. “Many retirees live in Horseshoe Bay and residents tend to be conservative. The public schools in Horseshoe Bay are above average.”
Horseshoe Bay receives an A for jobs and an A- for health and fitness, with a B-plus ranking for the weather. Receiving a grade of B was nightlife, while cost of living, crime and safety, housing, public schools, diversity and being a good place to raise a family received a ranking of B-minus, while outdoor activities and commute were ranked a C.
Marble Falls
Marble Falls was ranked the 43rd best place to retire in Texas and the third best place to raise a family in Burnet County. With a population of 6,542, Marble Falls has a median home value of $191,600 — nearly $26,000 lower than the national average of $217,500. More people in Marble Falls rent (56 percent) versus own (44 percent) and the median rent of $797 is nearly $300 below the national average.
The median household income of Marble Falls is $43,793, which is more than $19,000 lower than the national average of $62,843. Overall, the city’s Niche grade is a B, based on the 12 factors Niche uses to calculate its rankings.
“Living in Marble Falls offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Marble Falls there are a lot of restaurants and parks,” according to Niche. “Many young professionals and retirees live in Marble Falls and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Marble Falls are above average.”
Marble Falls receives an A for diversity while nightlife, weather and commute all received a B-plus ranking. Receiving a grade of B are jobs, cost of living, health and fitness and being a good place to raise a family. The public schools and crime and safety received a ranking of B-minus, while outdoor activities were ranked a C-plus and housing was ranked a C.
Burnet
Burnet was ranked the 86th best place to retire in Texas and the second best place to live in Burnet County. With a population of 6,266, the county seat has a median home value of $165,400 — more than $52,000 lower than the national average of $217,500. More people in Burnet own (69 percent) versus rent (31 percent) and the median rent of $703 is more than $350 below the national average.
The median household income of Burnet is $58,869, which is nearly $4,000 lower than the national average of $62,843. Overall, the city’s Niche grade is a B-plus, based on the 12 factors Niche uses to calculate its rankings.
“Living in Burnet offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many families live in Burnet and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Burnet are above average,” according to Niche.
Burnet receives an A-minus for diversity, jobs and cost of living, while weather and housing receive a B-plus. Nightlife and being a good place for families received a B, while public schools, crime and safety and health and fitness all get a B-minus. The commute ranks a C-plus, while outdoor activities received a C.
Cottonwood Shores
Cottonwood Shores was ranked the 235th best place to retire in Texas and the third best place to live in Burnet County. With a population of 1,427, Cottonwood Shores has a median home value of $134,300 — more than $83,000 lower than the national average of $217,500. More people in Cottonwood Shores own (74 percent) versus rent (26 percent) and the median rent of $1,113 is more than the national average.
The median household income of Cottonwood Shores is $54,766, which is more than $8,000 lower than the national average of $62,843. Overall, the city’s Niche grade is a B, based on the 12 factors Niche uses to calculate its rankings.
“Living in Cottonwood Shores offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. Many families live in Cottonwood Shores and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Cottonwood Shores are above average,” according to Niche.
Cottonwood Shores receives an A for diversity and a B-plus for housing, nightlife, cost of living and weather. Being a good place for families, jobs and health and fitness received a B, while public schools, get a B-minus. The commute ranks a C-plus, while outdoor activities received a C. There was no ranking for crime and safety.
Granite Shoals
Granite Shoals was ranked the 310th best place to retire in Texas and the fifth best place to live in Burnet County. With a population of 5,121, Granite Shoals has a median home value of $132,300 — more than $85,000 lower than the national average of $217,500. More people in Granite Shoals own (787 percent) versus rent (13 percent) and the median rent of $799 is nearly $300 below the national average.
The median household income of Granite Shoals is $44,521, which is more than $18,000 lower than the national average of $62,843. Overall, the city’s Niche grade is a B, based on the 12 factors Niche uses to calculate its rankings.
“Living in Granite Shoals offers residents a suburban rural mix feel and most residents own their homes. Many families live in Granite Shoals and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Granite Shoals are above average,” according to Niche.
Granite Shoals receives an A for diversity and a B-plus for cost of living and weather. Housing, nightlife, jobs and commute rank a B, while being a good place for families, public, schools, crime and safety and health and fitness received a B-minus. Outdoor activities received a C.
