I am having to be open minded about retirement and where to end up, my wife will make sure of that. I may punch out in the next few months, this time next year from sure.

My wife has taken East Texas Sam Rayburn off the list, we've had a weekend in Rayburn Country for 10 years now and I've had blast fishing tournaments and even had an East Texas Deer lease that good enough and close to my place at Rayburn. But long term, not sure I want to build a nice house around Rayburn either.

The places we are going to look for starters, Central Texas, Llano and Burnet Counties. Both seem to have low taxes and a little more upscale than East Texas but maybe more remote for healthcare etc. I could end up with a better deer lease more than likley. I know nothing about fishing the Colorado River and Lake Buchanan but they have fishing and tournaments too from what I understand.

I also want to go look around Streetman Texas, not far from Richland Chambers, may be to far off the beaten path the older we get.

I've found a few pieces of property to look at in the 10 acre range, Buchanan Dam, Sunrise Beach and couple other places in that neck of the woods. I want to be close to boat ramp for the most part.

I think Llano Co. as slightly lower Property tax than Burnet Co.

All I know is I want to get the heck out of League City and off this dang gulf coast.

Comments please if you know something about these areas, all I know is I've driven between Llano and Burnet driving to Midland for sales call and same driving 71 through Marble Falls as I recall.

I there are other place in the state I should look chime in.

If the wife has taken Rayburn country out of the mix, how about the Tyler/ Longview area? There is some real good doctoring to be had in Tyler. Land is still pretty reasonable in Wood county/Mineola and Quitman area, and the taxes are not ridiculous. Plus, there are a lot of smaller lakes all over the area besides Fork. I like the hill country, but the cedar trees hate me.

Mineral Wells is a nice area.

We retired to the Nacogdoches area several years ago and really enjoy our time here. Besides Rayburn and Toledo being close, Nacogdoches, Naconiche, Murvaul, Pinkston, etc...are all close by. With the college here, there is always something going on if you want to participate. Medical is good, especially if you consider the proximity of Tyler, Houston, and Dallas. Lake Nac has been heavily developed with very nice homes. Nice little town to live in, but not to little. Good luck. Big choice ahead of you.

Llano and Burnet Counties are both beginning to be heavily influenced by the Austin MSA. Both of these areas are seeing an upward trend in the real estate market. The Highland lakes are a great place; however, and Lake Buchanan is a great place to fish with not as much water sports to interfere (at least for now). Lake Whitney is nice, fishable spot although starting to have a lot of Fort Worth influence. East Texas versus Central Texas are not really comparable, so you may benefit by figuring out what you are really looking for and let that start to narrow down your choices.

Is it to late to trade her in? Just kidding sorta. I'd love to retire to Rayburn.

I looked at some acreage around Nac.but to far off the beaten path, it was way way out west of town. I may get back with the realestate person and look again. I’ve always like Nac. My wife agreed to look again.

I’ve grown up in Llano/Burnet County and Currently live in Buchanan Dam. Llano is definitely cheaper taxes. Burnet Cnty in particular Marble Falls is becoming more liberal but far from being taken over. Llano is still way conservative . Buchanan is Great fishing and LBJ is great during the winter but is dangerous during summer. Pm if you any questions

Brandon, that’s good info, was concerned about the libs. I guess Austin keeps moving in all directions

Having grown up in San Antonio I was always partial to the scenery and the Llano, Blanco, Frio, Perdenales type rivers. I have a harder time adjusting to thick forest. Street man is a random choice but Richland Chambers is a lake with a lot of potential for a bass fisherman. Quick trip to Dallas and world class medical and shopping. The fishing at Fairfield will end when there is a drought year. It is probably 40-45 miles to Cedar Creek from there.

Too Close to Austin, all that money is moving west to Llano. This for sure.

Might not be bad for an investment though.....

It’s been years since I fished much of anything but Tournaments on Rayburn or Toledo and the last two years not much fishing period. Work gets in the way but turning 64 in March that’s going to change in the near future. I stay so buy with my job I have little time to do anything much less get out and roam around trying to figure out where to land after retirement.

In the early 80’s I fished a tournament on Amistad, told myself that’s where I wanted to retire. Things change, nowhere near the border is where I want land.

My Southeast Texas wife loves Tulsa and suggested the small towns around Tulsa. She has several close friends that ended up in Oklahoma and won’t live anywhere else. I grew up in Oklahoma, escaped right out of High School and only went back a few times. Just not sure that would be my deal, but my City girl,wife keeps saying let’s at least look. I did some calcs and even paying 5% state income tax the one percent ish property tax it’s appears to be cost effective for retirement. I would bet home owners insurance would be high, similar to the coast, tornadoes, Hurricanes all the same I’d bet.

One thing I have a feel for is taxes in some the counties in the areas I want to consider. East Texas has the lowest tax rates. Tax rates and insurance are a big deal at retirement. I could pay my house off in League City and my Tax and insurance would crowd 1400 a month and my boat truck won’t fit in the garage much less my bass boat. The areas I want to look are much lower.

Also as far as heath care Llano Cnty has a new Scott and White Hospital and Burnet has Seton. Llano proper has their community hospital but I don’t see that lasting and Scott and White or Seton taking over. That being said there is an AirVav station in Marble and b Ambulance all Austin Hospitals are an hour / hour half drive. Ambulance quicker drive.

Ennis, just sayin