Texas is football country. There’s nothing like the Friday night lights of a local high school football game or the excitement of watching your favorite college team facing off on the gridiron. Active adults who are longtime Texans know that football is a way of life here. Retirees who have just moved to the Lone Star State will quickly find many opportunities to tailgate, cheer on, and rally for their favorite team.

If you want to make sure you’re always close to your alma mater or favorite team, here are a few 55+ communities close to some of Texas’ best college football stadiums.

Austin, TX (University of Texas)

Deep in the heart of Texas sits Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, home of the storied University of Texas Longhorns. The eighth-largest North American football stadium by capacity, it remains a must-visit for college football fans across the nation. Retirees who bleed burnt orange will enjoy easy access to UT when they reside at one of these nearby 55+ communities.

Tuscan Village – Lakeway

Only about 20 minutes outside of Austin, Tuscan Village in beautiful Travis County is an ideal destination for UT fans to call home. Homeowners enjoy a resort-style setting, low-maintenance homes, and access to world-class amenities ranging from concierge services to a social membership at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club.

Heritage at Vizcaya – Round Rock

Diehard UT fans will be right at home at the luxurious 55+ community of Heritage at Vizcaya. Located in Round Rock, a peaceful city located north of downtown Austin, active adults are within close proximity to Longhorn football games. This 650 single-family-home neighborhood is part of the larger, master-planned Vizcaya community that is open to all ages.

Kissing Tree – San Marcos

Situated in San Marcos, Kissing Tree is an age-restricted community that’s conveniently located halfway between San Antonio and Austin. On game day, residents are just 45 minutes away from the energy and excitement of UT. Upon completion, the community will offer 3,200 homes and feature an 18-hole golf course and putting course, eight pickleball courts, and six bocce ball courts.  

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (TCU, SMU, and North Texas)

Football fans in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex have their pick of teams to cheer for and games to attend. Whether they don purple to root for the Horned Frogs of TCU, get decked out in red and blue to cheer on the Mustangs of SMU, or show their UNT Mean Green pride in green, active adults can easily catch all their favorite football games when they live in a 55+ community in Dallas-Fort Worth. Here are some age-restricted neighborhoods close to each university.

Viridian Elements – Arlington

Residents of Elements at Viridian in Arlington are just a quick drive from the beautiful open-air Amon G. Carter Stadium, home of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. Situated near Highway 360 and Airport Freeway, the 55+ community gives residents easy access to Dallas Cowboys games. When it’s not game day, homeowners can stroll the 150-acre wooded conservation area or visit the Viridian Artisan Market for special events and gourmet fare.

The Village at Prestonwood – Plano

Fans of the Southern Methodist University Mustangs can enjoy easy access to the iconic Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park when they reside at The Village at Prestonwood in Plano. This age-restricted community is just west of the Dallas North Tollway in Plano, putting many popular destinations within reach. Since homeowners don’t have to invest time in maintaining their home’s yard or exterior, they have more time to cheer on their beloved Mustangs.

Robson Ranch – Denton

Active adults who live in the posh active adult community of Robson Ranch in Denton are just minutes away from Apogee Stadium, home of the University of North Texas Mean Green. With 7,200 homes upon completion, this 55+ community is one of Texas’ largest active adult communities. It includes a section reserved for residents age 40 and older and allows homebuyers to choose from 25 different floor plans, both new and resale.

Houston, TX (University of Houston)

Houstonians can enjoy some outstanding football while cheering on the University of Houston Cougars in downtown Houston. Here are a few age-restricted communities in the Houston area worth checking out.

Del Webb Sweetgrass – Richmond

Retirees who want to show their Cougar pride aren’t far from the action at TDECU Stadium when they reside at Del Webb Sweetgrass in Richmond. This age-restricted community is only about a half-hour drive from downtown Houston and offers all the best amenities, from a boat launch and outdoor amphitheater to a firepit and lush natural areas.

Amberwood at Fall Creek – Humble

Just 15 minutes from downtown Houston, active adults can get to the University of Houston quickly on game day when they own a home in the peaceful age-restricted community of Amberwood at Fall Creek. Situated within the master-planned community of Fall Creek, Amberwood is the only section of maintenance-free homes within the neighborhood. Residents can enjoy the luxurious Redstone Golf Club, two 18-hole golf courses, and a resort-style activity complex.

College Station, TX (Texas A&M)

Right in the middle of Austin and Houston, you’ll find College Station, best known as the home of Texas A&M University. The Aggies are a faithful group so it’s not surprising to think some of them would want to stay close by even in retirement. If you consider yourself a part of The 12th Man, as TAMU supporters are known, here’s a good pick to keep close by.

Water Crest on Lake Conroe – Conroe

Whether retirees graduated from the university or just like to cheer for the Aggies, they’ll be close to the action on gameday when they live at Water Crest on Lake Conroe. This age-restricted community in Conroe is only about an hour away from the legendary Kyle Field. Residents of this master-planned community enjoy robust amenities including a resort-style pool and a boat launch.