Kissing Tree named one of 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.

Ideal Living, an international relocation guide, touts Kissing Tree’s combination of culture, charm and cost-effectiveness in their 100 Best Places to Live list for 2026.

Kissing Tree is one of the 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S., according to a new list from Ideal Living.

“Perfectly placed in the Texas Hill Country halfway between Austin and San Antonio, Kissing Tree is designed specifically for those 55 and better, with 1,300 acres of views and hundred-year-old live oak trees to welcome you home,” they write in an article announcing the new 2026 list.

An international relocation expert, Ideal Living says Texas is one of the top states for retirees due to its lack of an income tax, generous homestead exemptions and property tax rates below the national average.

“With lower overall living costs for basics like groceries and utilities, you’ll find that your hard-earned dollars go farther,” they write.

Economics aside, the promise of a better lifestyle is the best reason to consider moving to Texas and Kissing Tree, Ideal Living states.

“While summers can be warm, the rest of the year offers milder temperatures that encourage hiking, biking, boating, golfing, and racquet sports under sunny skies. City, state, and national parks throughout the region offer plenty of clean-air destinations to keep you, your guests, and your grandkids entertained and refreshed,” they write.

Kissing Tree shines in each of Ideal Living’s Top 10 reasons to move to a planned amenity community. Here are some major ones:

• Lots of Amenities. The hub of Kissing Tree’s active lifestyle is The Mix, our 21-acre amenity center, offering pickleball, tennis, bocce ball, a fitness center, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There are indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, plus the scenic 18-hole Kissing Tree Golf Club.
• Sense of Community. With more than 100 resident social groups and events ranging from games to live music, community connection is strong at Kissing Tree.
• Walkability & Healthy Living. Kissing Tree has miles of trails connecting homes to The Mix and other amenities, so you can walk anywhere in the community. Expert coaches at our fitness center, seasoned golf pros and a Lifestyle Director who loves to lead residents on Hill Country hikes and other adventures let our residents be as active as they want to be.
• A Secure, Self-Contained Community. One thing we hear over and over from Kissing Tree residents is that once they drive through our 24-hour controlled access gates, they never want to leave.
• Proximity to Health Care. Our unbeatable location provides residents with easy access to first-class healthcare institutions in San Marcos, Austin and San Antonio.
• Beautifully Maintained Homes and Landscaping. Kissing Tree’s gorgeous parks and amenities are second to none when it comes to natural beauty. In fact, our golf course is certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. Some of our neighborhoods offer low-maintenance living and complete yard maintenance.

With 10 fully furnished model homes by Brookfield Residential and David Weekley Homes, at prices from the upper $300,000s to over $1 million, it’s easy to find your dream home at Kissing Tree. Start your visit at The Guest House for an introduction to our legendary lifestyle!