Texas Hill Country
BG: We are here to talk about the Texas Hill Country and what it is like with Anne and Susan, who own El Viaje Retirement Retreat, an RV retirement community for over 55 in Medina. I and my visitors are very anxious to know about Texas living, and particularly the Hill Country, and what makes it special as a retirement destination. We've heard so much about it as a best place to retire so we are excited and appreciative to get the inside look from you as a lifelong residents.
Anne: U.S. News and other publications have recently rated San Antonio as one of the top ten affordable cities in the United States. Texas has also recently been rated as the number two place in the country to retire, surpassing California and either Arizona or Florida. There is no state income tax in Texas, also, which makes it desirable for retirement. BG: I noticed that it was on the top ten list of places people are moving to. The fact that Texas did not become overvalued in recent years as did other states has kept its prices more stable.
BG: What area does the Texas Hill Country encompass. Anne: The Texas Hill Country "officially" starts around Austin, Texas, which is about four hours South of Dallas. Heading West and South from Austin, the Texas Hill Country includes San Antonio and about a 300-mile wide area including small towns of Wimberley, Kerrville, New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs, Blanco, Bandera and West to Uvalde. It includes the counties of Gillespie, Kerr, Bandera and Kendall. BG: You can see that on the terrain map. How about the climate for retirement. Current weather for Kerrville: Current weather for San Antonio: Anne: Our climate in Medina, very close to Kerrville, can vary from the surrounding area as we are at a higher alevation (400 feet) with lovely hills and we tend to have cooler nights. You may want to have air conditioning during the day in summer, but may be able to open windows at night to enjoy the cooler (and healthier) outdoor air. The climate in Texas Hill Country is generally mild and dry. The cities of Austin and San Antonio can be humid but less humid in the Kerrville/Fredericksburg area and in our small town of Medina. Yes, we do have 70 degree days in January which appeals to those who want to escape the cold north in the winter. BG: What are some of the characteristics of the Texas Hill Country that seniors might like. Anne: The Texas Hill Country has beautiful scenery. I could compare it to Napa Valley in California.
While people think of Texas as being all country, Texans can also be sophisticated, especially in the cities like Austin and Dallas. Here in Medina and the small towns, however, it is pretty "laid-back." You can see this in our way of dressing: jeans for every day, fancier jeans for going into town, and really fancy jeans for "dressing up" for an event.
BG: Would you recommend one area over another in the Hill Country. Anne: No, the whole area is beautiful. Which spot to choose depends on the individual. They should ask themselves "do we need a more quiet and rural setting; a small town like Medina is good for that. For more activity, Kerrville is good, and San Antonio or Austin for a city lifestyle. However, Medina and other small towns are within an hour drive to San Antonio. BG: Are there lakes. Anne: Oh, yes! There is Lake Medina which feeds the main water supply to San Antonio, Lake Austin, Lake Georgetown and Lake Marble Falls. The major rivers in this part of the country are the Colorado River (the "mighty Colorado"), the Guadalupe River, and the Pedernales River (President Lyndon Johnson's favorite river which runs through the area near his hometown.) Many people love boating and sailing on the lakes in the Texas Hill Country. You can park your RV or camper by a lake and enjoy a few days by the water, particularly in the summertime. BG:As you know a healthy environment is important--how is the air and water. Anne: Our RV community for over 55 has an 800 foot artesian well--the water is delcious. The Texas Hill Country is very rich in limestone and it filters many of the streams and rivers to keep them clear. There is little smog in the rural areas. There is some smog near Austin, but Dallas and Houston, being a large cities, have much more. City Life BG:From the rural areas, do residents go to the cities often.
San Antonio San Antonio is home to three major air force bases and a large army base as well. One-third of the population is military retirees. We have many ex-military retirees on our property, and is one of the reasons they chose to live here with the Veteran's Hospitals and availability to base exchanges in San Antonio. Also, senior centers there, major medical research centers and many colleges and universities.
If you like ballet and theatre, museums, the Alamo, the Riverwalk-- San Antonio offers that and more. The Riverwalk area is a fantastic area along the river running through downtown San Antonio...take a boat ride, shop, eat and just enjoy the atmosphere. San Antonio has many festivals with a diverse and colorful culture.
Austin Austin is home to the University of Texas, the largest university in the South. There are miles of walking and running trails, surrounded by the scenic Hill Country, lifelong learning opportunities; affluent baby boomers is largest part of population. The warm sunny climate allows for exercising year round (although summers are hot) and there is a large farmers market. Large cosmopolitan city with a low cost of living. Kerrville Anne:Kerrville, to me, is the jewel of the area, with a Western art museum, a theater with regular local productions and numerous festivals all year. Kerrville supports the arts and has a small local university (Schreiner University), charity events and many other functions. There are two country clubs, golf, local lakes and the Guadalupe River runs through it, and deer hunting. They have a gorgeous new senior facility - the Dietert Senior Center offering programs every day and a restaurant. There are libraries with internet access. Kerrville has many apartment complexes designated for seniors as well. Kerrville has two health food stores which do a booming business with herbs and organic products. Bandera Bandera is known as the "Cowboy Capital of Texas," and has more Western flair with "ropin' and ridin'" on the courthouse square most Saturdays. Medina (just 2 miles from Bandera) is the "Apple Capital of Texas," and Love Creek Orchards is located in Medina. An Apple Festival is held in the Fall with hayrides, pick your own apples and a pumpkin patch. There is a nice little restaurant with apple jelly, pies etc. Due to the terrific weather, our residents enjoy hiking and walking year round. Most people in South Texas are health-oriented and enjoy getting outside. Come summer, you will find roadside stands everywhere offering peaches, tomatores, okra, green beans, zucchini, yellow squash, black-eyed peas, onions, watermelon and much more. An RV over 55 Community
BG:Anne, tell us about your retirement community that you and Susan recently purchased in Medina in the Texas Hill Country. Anne:We named it El Viaje Retirement Retreat (the Journey). It is an RV and Park Model community for over 55.
We are located between Bandera and Kerrville. (See map above) We have lots for lease on a lifetime basis. They may lease the lot to others over 55 if they decide to not live there. Many people place a park model home and park their RV bus or fifth wheel on the lot as well. When they travel and then come here, they park their fifth wheel and live in their park model. We hope to offer a once-a-month dinner to the residents for a nominal fee with vegetables from our huge organic garden. Residents can garden there also. We have a small clubhouse, lap pool, hiking trails and more. Come visit us in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom--just beautiful--or any time.
See our article RV Park Life--What is it Like BG: Thank you again for all the interesting information about the Texas Hill Country and we wish you success with your newly purchased community for seniors called El Viaje Retirement Retreat. Anne and Susan would love for those interested to take a look at their website, El Viaje Retirement Retreat If people are interested in their catering or personal chef service, please take a look at Designed Cuisine website Their contact information is listed on the websites, but they can also can be reached at (830)589-7492 or (214)205-0818. Our reviews are not recommendations or opinions of communities. They are for information only. Please verify all information and make your own investigations of property especially before any purchase. Always seek advice from real estate and other professionals. Return from Texas Hill Country to Texas Retirement Communities
|
