Retiring in Texas isn’t always about ranch homes and sunny peace. A surprising new trend is emerging in 2025: more older adults are skipping certain Texas towns entirely, thanks to low livability scores that don’t align with what retirees value most. High noise levels, poor access to healthcare and cultural amenities, minimal walkability, and weak public transit are just a few of the reasons driving people away.
Whether it’s a military base with a transient population or a fast-growing suburb lacking community infrastructure, these towns rank at the bottom in our Overall Retirement Score (ORS). Each ORS weighs walkability, quietness, vibrancy, car and transit friendliness, and access to cultural spaces. Here are the 25 Texas towns with the lowest scores—places retirees are most likely to leave behind.
18. Splendora – Few Amenities and Poor Walkability
Splendora is a small town northeast of Houston, known for its rural charm and wooded surroundings. But for retirees looking for convenience and comfort, the town poses real challenges. Public transit is practically nonexistent, and walkability is low, meaning everyday errands usually require a car. Seniors with mobility issues might find it especially inconvenient.
The town also ranks low on cultural amenities and vibrancy, offering few options for recreation or social connection. While the area is relatively quiet and car-friendly, it lacks the health services, community centers, and lifestyle perks many retirees expect today.
Splendora – ORS 16.34
- Overall Retirement Score: 16.34
- Quietness: 62.16
- Walkability: 25.91
- Cultural amenities: 25.40
- Vibrancy: 29.96
- Car-Friendliness: 81.19
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.86
Splendora may appeal to those who enjoy isolation and car-based living, but retirees often prioritize convenience and engagement—both of which are lacking here. A limited mix of shops and healthcare facilities makes it less than ideal for aging in place.
17. Cockrell Hill – Too Noisy and Not Built for Slowing Down
Just west of Dallas, Cockrell Hill might appear attractive at first glance thanks to its excellent walkability and vibrancy. But for retirees, those urban perks come at a cost. The town has one of the lowest quietness scores on the list, suggesting heavy traffic, crowded streets, or general urban bustle.
Cultural amenities are limited, and despite being easy to walk, it doesn’t offer many destinations that older adults may care about, like libraries, senior centers, or green space. The balance is skewed toward younger, fast-paced lifestyles.
Cockrell Hill – ORS 15.71
- Overall Retirement Score: 15.71
- Quietness: 22.44
- Walkability: 88.32
- Cultural amenities: 32.41
- Vibrancy: 81.92
- Car-Friendliness: 82.17
- Transit-Friendliness: 27.61
The noise and lack of senior-focused amenities might push retirees toward quieter nearby suburbs or towns with better healthcare access and social infrastructure.
16. Sansom Park – Crowded and Lacking Enrichment
Located just northwest of Fort Worth, Sansom Park is densely populated for its size and leans heavily residential, with few public parks or gathering spaces. Despite strong walkability and vibrancy, it falls short where it matters most for retirees—peace, services, and things to do.
Cultural options are almost nonexistent, and there’s zero public transit available, which further limits mobility for those who don’t drive. The town is busy, but not in ways that benefit seniors looking to enjoy their golden years.
Sansom Park – ORS 15.24
- Overall Retirement Score: 15.24
- Quietness: 15.26
- Walkability: 71.55
- Cultural amenities: 12.02
- Vibrancy: 70.99
- Car-Friendliness: 66.05
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.00
Its active atmosphere might suit younger residents, but the noise and limited senior services make it a tough fit for retirees seeking rest and community.
15. Forest Hill – Lively But Lacking Services
Forest Hill, nestled in the southern outskirts of Fort Worth, offers moderate walkability and vibrancy—but those come with trade-offs. It’s not particularly quiet, and its cultural infrastructure is lacking, with few museums, theaters, or places tailored to older adults.
Public transportation is minimal, and while you can drive just about anywhere, traffic can be a hassle. With a relatively young population and development focused more on residential growth than retiree support, it’s better suited to working families than those aging into retirement.
Forest Hill – ORS 15
- Overall Retirement Score: 15
- Quietness: 24.91
- Walkability: 63.67
- Cultural amenities: 22.89
- Vibrancy: 61.42
- Car-Friendliness: 77.71
- Transit-Friendliness: 5.06
It might serve as a pass-through for retirees heading elsewhere in the DFW metro, but it’s not a place to settle for the long haul without key lifestyle services in place.
14. El Cenizo – Sparse Amenities and Low Activity
El Cenizo is a tiny border town in Webb County, south of Laredo. It ranks near the bottom in nearly every retirement-related metric. Despite a decent quietness score, its walkability, cultural life, and transit access are close to nonexistent.
The town’s economy and infrastructure are still developing, and retirees looking for healthcare, cultural engagement, or community centers will come up empty. It’s one of the least vibrant places on this list and lacks even the basic public transportation options found in more developed towns.
El Cenizo – ORS 14.14
- Overall Retirement Score: 14.14
- Quietness: 59.76
- Walkability: 6.66
- Cultural amenities: 2.36
- Vibrancy: 10.04
- Car-Friendliness: 83.31
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.00
While it may be quiet and affordable, the extreme lack of services and things to do make it poorly suited for retirement living.
13. Alton – Limited Access and Low Engagement
Alton, part of the McAllen metro area in the Rio Grande Valley, offers affordable housing and a slower pace. But for retirees, that’s not enough. It falls short on culture, connectivity, and walkability. Seniors hoping to age in place here would need to be fully car-dependent.
Healthcare facilities are limited, and despite moderate vibrancy, the town doesn’t offer much to fill the days beyond residential living. Public transit is barely present, which could isolate seniors without a car or family support.
Alton – ORS 13.82
- Overall Retirement Score: 13.82
- Quietness: 35.79
- Walkability: 32.03
- Cultural amenities: 6.71
- Vibrancy: 48.70
- Car-Friendliness: 81.26
- Transit-Friendliness: 4.57
Without substantial community resources, Alton is more suited to younger residents or families than retirees looking for long-term convenience and engagement.
12. Lackland Air Force Base – Not Meant for Retirement
Lackland AFB in San Antonio isn’t a typical town—it’s a military installation, and that makes a huge difference. It has limited residential services for civilians, very low car-friendliness, and few retirement-appropriate amenities. Retirees won’t find the peace or long-term infrastructure they need here.
While there’s decent vibrancy and some transit access, that’s largely due to the base’s active population, not senior-oriented planning. Retirees looking for senior housing, quiet parks, or cultural institutions will find none of those here.
Lackland Air Force Base – ORS 12.74
- Overall Retirement Score: 12.74
- Quietness: 31.42
- Walkability: 28.44
- Cultural amenities: 26.53
- Vibrancy: 60.25
- Car-Friendliness: 20.43
- Transit-Friendliness: 51.09
This is a location built around military needs—not retirement living. It’s worth skipping for those seeking a stable and senior-friendly place to settle.
11. Fort Bliss – Transient and Tiring
Fort Bliss is another military hub, located in El Paso. It shares many of the same issues as Lackland: high transience, few retiree-focused services, and a lack of community longevity. Housing is primarily geared toward service members, not aging residents.
Walkability and vibrancy are mediocre, and while transit is available, the overall structure of the base doesn’t support a retirement lifestyle. Seniors may feel disconnected and left out of the fast-paced, highly mobile environment.
Fort Bliss – ORS 12.13
- Overall Retirement Score: 12.13
- Quietness: 25.05
- Walkability: 35.05
- Cultural amenities: 18.35
- Vibrancy: 36.21
- Car-Friendliness: 62.77
- Transit-Friendliness: 28.75
This is one of the least retirement-friendly places in Texas. It’s built to serve the military—not the needs of people settling into retirement.
10. Fort Hood – Not Built for Long-Term Retirement
Fort Hood, now officially known as Fort Cavazos, sits in Central Texas near Killeen. Like other military bases on this list, it’s not designed with retirees in mind. Civilian housing options are scarce, and even those who once served may find it hard to access the kind of healthcare, quiet surroundings, and senior-friendly amenities they need.
With low scores in quietness, walkability, and cultural offerings, the environment here is far from ideal for aging in place. While car-friendliness is decent, transit access is weak and navigating the area can be a challenge for anyone not tied to the military.
Fort Hood – ORS 10.94
- Overall Retirement Score: 10.94
- Quietness: 25.05
- Walkability: 31.47
- Cultural amenities: 9.87
- Vibrancy: 35.82
- Car-Friendliness: 68.72
- Transit-Friendliness: 13.89
This is a working base with a revolving population, limited community infrastructure, and few features that support a quiet or stable retirement lifestyle.
9. Jacinto City – Noisy and Overlooked
Jacinto City, located on the eastern edge of Houston, offers solid walkability and vibrancy, but it’s not well-suited for older adults. The area is industrial, busy, and ranks among the lowest for quietness. That constant hum of activity—trucks, traffic, construction—makes it a tough environment for anyone hoping for a restful retirement.
While it’s easy to drive around, transit service is limited and there aren’t many senior-targeted services nearby. Cultural offerings are sparse, and most activity caters to younger families and working professionals.
Jacinto City – ORS 9.55
- Overall Retirement Score: 9.55
- Quietness: 21.57
- Walkability: 72.21
- Cultural amenities: 20.93
- Vibrancy: 60.24
- Car-Friendliness: 81.57
- Transit-Friendliness: 13.63
This town may work for commuters, but the noise, lack of green space, and modest services make it an uncomfortable place for retirees.
8. Channelview – Isolated Despite the Activity
Channelview sits east of Houston along the Ship Channel. Though it’s lively and easy to navigate by car, it’s not ideal for older adults. Walkability is limited and cultural opportunities are few. Transit options are virtually nonexistent, meaning that aging residents are dependent on cars even for the smallest errands.
It may be quiet in certain residential pockets, but it doesn’t offer the kind of amenities that make daily life easier or more enjoyable for retirees—like parks, senior centers, or engaging community activities.
Channelview – ORS 9.38
- Overall Retirement Score: 9.38
- Quietness: 31.09
- Walkability: 50.72
- Cultural amenities: 22.09
- Vibrancy: 51.88
- Car-Friendliness: 86.59
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.87
For retirees without a car—or without the desire to drive regularly—Channelview presents real obstacles to long-term comfort.
7. Grulla – Quiet But Underserved
Grulla is a small city in Starr County, not far from the Mexican border. It’s one of the quietest towns on the list, but that’s largely due to how little is there. The area is underdeveloped, with almost no walkable areas or access to cultural or recreational services.
Public transit is nonexistent, and even car infrastructure is lacking in parts. While peaceful, the town doesn’t offer what many retirees need—like easy access to healthcare, shopping, or even social events.
Grulla – ORS 9.22
- Overall Retirement Score: 9.22
- Quietness: 57.29
- Walkability: 11.14
- Cultural amenities: 3.27
- Vibrancy: 20.16
- Car-Friendliness: 59.89
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.00
Grulla might appeal to those seeking isolation, but its limited services and infrastructure make it impractical for most retirees.
6. Balch Springs – Bustling But Overwhelming
Balch Springs lies southeast of Dallas and is full of activity—but that’s part of the problem. It’s noisy, under-connected by transit, and not especially peaceful. Though walkability and vibrancy are respectable, the town lacks the gentler pace and tailored services that retirees often look for.
There’s not much in the way of cultural institutions or scenic public spaces. Most development is commercial or residential, and it doesn’t support the slower, comfort-oriented lifestyle many seniors prefer.
Balch Springs – ORS 8.03
- Overall Retirement Score: 8.03
- Quietness: 14.86
- Walkability: 52.98
- Cultural amenities: 11.25
- Vibrancy: 70.36
- Car-Friendliness: 71.12
- Transit-Friendliness: 4.02
Retirees might find themselves overwhelmed by the traffic, activity, and lack of dedicated senior services.
5. Webster – Fast-Paced and Impersonal
Webster, near the Clear Lake area southeast of Houston, is a hub for young professionals and businesses—but not retirees. It scores high on vibrancy but low on quietness and cultural amenities relevant to seniors. The town is car-centric, and while transit exists, it’s far from comprehensive.
The area feels more like a commercial corridor than a cohesive community, with chain restaurants and strip malls rather than local gathering places or walkable neighborhoods.
Webster – ORS 7.22
- Overall Retirement Score: 7.22
- Quietness: 26.35
- Walkability: 37.28
- Cultural amenities: 19.74
- Vibrancy: 80.23
- Car-Friendliness: 84.70
- Transit-Friendliness: 29.73
There’s energy here, but retirees looking for community and calm won’t find much beyond busy roadways and shopping centers.
4. Hutchins – Quiet But Missing Everything Else
Just south of Dallas, Hutchins may offer relative quiet, but it falls short in nearly every other category. It lacks walkability, cultural institutions, and senior-focused services. Transit access is minimal, and most errands require a car.
There’s very little happening socially or culturally. Even younger families tend to look elsewhere for better infrastructure and public services. For older adults, the town can feel isolating and under-resourced.
Hutchins – ORS 7.04
- Overall Retirement Score: 7.04
- Quietness: 45.73
- Walkability: 32.41
- Cultural amenities: 2.00
- Vibrancy: 37.47
- Car-Friendliness: 74.80
- Transit-Friendliness: 14.82
Hutchins lacks the basics—libraries, health centers, parks—that would make it livable for seniors seeking comfort and engagement.
3. South Houston – Urban Stress Without the Perks
South Houston, an inner-ring suburb of Houston proper, has high vibrancy and decent walkability. But for retirees, it’s just too much. Noise levels are extremely high, and cultural or leisure services targeted to older adults are minimal.
Traffic is heavy, green space is limited, and public transit doesn’t offer full coverage. For older adults looking to wind down, South Houston offers few safe or peaceful places to do so.
South Houston – ORS 6.93
- Overall Retirement Score: 6.93
- Quietness: 7.47
- Walkability: 68.36
- Cultural amenities: 12.87
- Vibrancy: 71.89
- Car-Friendliness: 73.77
- Transit-Friendliness: 12.45
It’s active, but noisy and overwhelming—a poor match for those wanting to slow down and enjoy retirement comfortably.
2. Elsa – Isolated and Inactive
Elsa is a small city in the Rio Grande Valley that falls short in nearly every category that matters to retirees. It offers virtually no transit options, few cultural experiences, and very little walkability. Even its quietness is mediocre by rural standards.
What it does have—high car-friendliness—isn’t enough to offset the isolation and lack of infrastructure. Elsa is not only hard to get around without a car, but there’s little to do once you’re out and about.
Elsa – ORS 6.64
- Overall Retirement Score: 6.64
- Quietness: 21.54
- Walkability: 31.59
- Cultural amenities: 2.18
- Vibrancy: 68.52
- Car-Friendliness: 82.27
- Transit-Friendliness: 0.00
With so few resources, Elsa leaves retirees disconnected and without access to important services and social opportunities.
1. Balcones Heights – Loud, Lively, and Lacking Substance
Balcones Heights, located in central San Antonio, tops the list—for all the wrong reasons. Its ORS is the lowest of any town in Texas, driven by an overwhelming lack of cultural amenities and low quietness. While it’s well-connected by transit and offers decent walkability, that doesn’t make up for its noisy, high-traffic environment.
There’s little green space and few places to relax. Much of the town is commercial, with a fast-paced, impersonal feel that can be challenging for anyone not working or commuting daily.
Balcones Heights – ORS 4.95
- Overall Retirement Score: 4.95
- Quietness: 29.75
- Walkability: 44.78
- Cultural amenities: 1.20
- Vibrancy: 94.69
- Car-Friendliness: 59.19
- Transit-Friendliness: 71.95
For retirees seeking comfort, connection, and calm, Balcones Heights delivers the opposite—and that’s why it ranks #1 among Texas towns to avoid in retirement.
