Friday, December 18, 2009

Vacationing in the Picturesque Texas Hill Country

By Stephen Daniels

Texas hill country offers delightful vacation and sightseeing opportunities in its rolling hills, peaceful valleys and small towns as well as in the cities of Austin and San Antonio. This picturesque, livable region of Texas is markedly different from the flatlands that span the East, or the humid stretches along the Gulf of Mexico. First time visitors as well as long time residents are amazed by the incomparable beauty of the land.

Unlike the larger cities of Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth, the Texas hill towns of San Antonio and Austin retain a friendly, small town feel. Both cities are large enough to provide all the 'bells and whistles' larger cities provide without the annoyances of bumper to bumper traffic and endless lines for simply taking in a movie. Austin and San Antonio focus on people, quality of life and families.

Near the southernmost border of Texas hill country, historic San Antonio has a population of slightly over one million. Home of the Alamo, the city flaunts its Spanish roots and proudly honors its 189 citizen volunteers who stood off the Mexican Army for a grueling 13 days.

Austin, the lovely Texas state capitol, is billed as the live music capital of the world, and the New York Times calls it "the Southwest's hippest metropolis." This laid-back city of 1.4 million has more clubs and fine restaurants per capita than any other city in the United States. Featuring excellent medical facilities, numerous clean energy employers and a moderate cost of living, Austin attracts retirees and families alike.

Sprinkled throughout the Texas hill country are smaller towns like Bandera and Wimberly. Havens for horse lovers, these small towns have outstanding horse facilities, dude ranches, rodeos and horse races. Excellent hunting, fishing and camping opportunities also abound in this region, satisfying the most ardent outdoor lover. In addition to the many golf courses in San Antonio and Austin, many small towns like Bandera feature one or more courses.

As a New York Times number one pick for summer vacations last year, Texas hill country is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. This serene region was once a rolling ocean floor. Today it is a land of trees and lakes, cattle, horses, and deer. The Texas hill country beckons the visitor and life-long resident alike to enjoy its spectacular scenery and endless variety of attractions. It is a vacationer's paradise.

People who come to Texas hill country to visit are often so charmed by it that they decide to make this lovely region their permanent home. Not yet 'discovered' by hungry real estate moguls and ruthless developers, property in this area is surprisingly affordable. Ready built mini-ranches for those wanting only a few acres as well as large ranches suitable for pasturing cattle or horses are available in nearly every area. A stable job market, good schools and the relatively low cost of real estate attracts professionals, outdoor lovers, families and retirees to this area of Texas.

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