These Are the Best States for Your Golden Years

5. Texas

The low taxes and lower cost of living compared to Florida make Texas a top Sun Belt contender with many attractions, mild winters, affordable housing, a low crime rate, and world-class doctors. There are also job opportunities if you want to start a second career, and seniors in Austin can take six tuition-free credit hours per semester.

Fredricksburg is popular for its proximity to two big cities, but you can nest in towns like McAllen (where birdwatching is big) and Brownsville for half the amount you would need in bigger metros. And the inland lakes are a magnet in Texas, as they are in other states.