So the wife retired after 30 years in public education and I'm thinking of doing the same after 38 years. We have grandchildren in Athens, Austin and The Woodlands. We want to be close but not built in babysitters. We've looked at Bryan/College Station, Huntsville, and Conroe. Would like a little land 1-3 acres but OK with a big lot in a nice place. Any ideas? Thanks!

I have always liked the Normangee/Madisonville and Lake Livingston areas. That's be fairly central to your hunt.

I have a THF friend who goes by 603. PM him. He retired in somewhat the same situation and location.

My thoughts...CS and Huntsville are college towns so lot of stuff available to you in town. Conroe is basically Houston at this point so I'd not consider there. Huntsville is a prison town and with that comes prison folks...go drive through the hotels on a weekend. I've shot enough matches in Huntsville to learn there are some good folks in that town...there is also less desirable areas and folks that I directly link to the prison.

That leaves me to my choice of those 3....CS.

Good luck and one thing you will enjoy is trees...God's windbreak

Something to consider is quality healthcare options as well.

You might look at the areas around Columbus or La Grange as options.

If those were my target areas, id look around Crockett or Mexia. Just a personal preference of landscapes for me.

I haven't been to the BCS area in 6 years but I enjoyed the years I was there except for the traffic. College Station was not built to handle that many people and the traffic and idiot drivers were absurd at times for a town that size during the school year. I know it's grown a ton since then as well. In comparison, the worst absolute traffic I have experienced in Lubbock over the last 6.5 years was less than a normal day in College Station during the school year.

I agree with z71, the traffic in BCS is annoying that area is growing extremely fast.

Like Bill said, we retired to this general area in 2009. Groesbeck is a decent small town with the basic stuff we need (sonic, subway, Bush’s Chicken, a good supermarket, a few decent restaurants, auto parts store, drugstore). And the gun shop is a new addition. We live in the country, about 10 miles from Groesbeck. Very quiet and peaceful here. Zero traffic. We have kids in Houston (140 miles) and Dallas (125 miles to their house). 40 miles from Waco. 75 miles from College Station. 120 miles to Austin. And Lake Limestone, which would be a good lake to retire on, is 25ish miles east of here. Lake Limestone, unlike Lake Conroe, is a fairly quiet lake, and I know where some Crappie are.

I also hated the traffic in College Station, but as a retired person it doesnt seem like you would have to deal with the rush hours etc. There is always good scenery in that town

Make sure there is decent medical care is available. Retirement is when things with the body start to break and fall apart.

the Woodlands or Conroe

LaGrange Giddings, and Round Top areas are beautiful.... but Athens would be a bit longer drive. College Station is turning into a monster right now.

College Station does have that going for it. They were building a big new hospital when I left.

I'll admit I miss parts of College Station. Trees, rain, green scenery... Motorcycle rides outside of town were pretty. The traffic in town was the worst part. During the summer it was nice though when all the students left. There was hardly any traffic or waits anywhere to go eat.

Crockett - Centerville - Marquez - Hearne - Bedias - Madisonville back to Crockett area.
Little further south Milano - Brenham - La Grange - Bastrop - Taylor back to Milano

Lake property - Lake Palestine - Richland Chambers res or Lake Limestone.

That started for me when I hit 27.

Have you been to Mexia much? I'd pick Fairfield over Mexia any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Crockett, nah.

Crockett - Centerville - Marquez - Hearne - Bedias - Madisonville back to Crockett area. Long way to the Doctor or Hospital if needed.

Lake property - Lake Palestine - Richland Chambers res or Lake Limestone. Palestine, you have 3 close hospitals if needed.

Crockett, nah.

Crockett - Centerville - Marquez - Hearne - Bedias - Madisonville back to Crockett area. Long way to the Doctor or Hospital if needed. If you want entertainment, bring it with you.

Lake property - Lake Palestine - Richland Chambers res or Lake Limestone. Palestine, you have 3 close hospitals if needed.

Richard Chambers???

College Station is great for us. Traffic can be an issue around campus, but it is nothing compared to Austin, DFW or Houston. We have a traffic minute, compared to a traffic hour. My wife works on TAMU campus and I teach at CS High School. We will probably live out our days here. I like the youthful vibe here. It makes me hopeful for the future.

I like yalls ideas.

Brenham, schulenburg, San marcos, rockdale?

Cody Wyoming