The town of Sweetwater has a population of less than 12,000, according to the 2010 census. The town's motto is "life is sweet in Texas." Sweetwater offers a variety of relaxing activities including 18 holes of golf at Lake Sweetwater, square dancing at the Nolan County Coliseum Annex and picnicking at Newman Park. Sweetwater is also home to many shops and restaurants such as Gill's Fried Chicken, Buck's Steaks and Barbecue and the Oak Street Cafe. Several residential areas are available to choose from in Sweetwater, many of which offer historic housing.
The city of Arlington is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area and has a population of 365,438, according to the 2010 census. Arlington features a multitude of attractions and activities for retirees, such as the Arlington Museum of Art, Symphony Arlington, the River Legacy Living Science Center and Lake Arlington Golf Course. Arlington is also home to a variety of senior citizen centers with activities such as arts and crafts, dancing, shopping and social events. Many retirement villages are located in Arlington, including Emeritus Estates and Summerville, in addition to several retirement communities such as Broadway Plaza at Pecan Park, Hurst Senior Living Communities, Town Village Arlington and Hill House.
The city of Abilene has a population of 117,063, according to the 2010 census, and is home to many retirement villages such as Hendrick Retirement Center and the Christian Village of Abilene. The city is also home to many thriving senior citizens services which provide a variety of social activities such as arts and crafts, music, reading groups, educational groups and important services including free health checks and home delivered meals. A wide variety of entertainment options are available for retirees and seniors in Abilene, such as the Grace Cultural Center, the Willow Creek Golf Center, the Fairway Oaks Country Club and the old-fashioned Town and Country Drive-in.
For those retirees looking for the feel of a small town, Pelican Bay has a population of less than 1,800, according to the 2000 census. Despite the small size, it is still home to a variety of historic attractions such as Stockyards Station, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and Log Cabin Village. A number of small golf courses are nearby including Cross Timbers Golf Course and Willow Springs Golf Course. Seniors can choose from a variety of homes and apartments near Pelican Bay and the larger town of Fort Worth, with it's extensive selection of restaurants, country clubs, museums and theaters only a 25-mile drive away.
