10 Affordable Cities for Retirement

Riders gather at a rodeo in Midland, Texas. — Photo by: Courtesy Flickr

Midland, Texas

Midland was founded as a railroad stop at the midpoint between Fort Worth and El Paso.

See also: Driving through Texas hill country.

The discovery of oil in the 1920s propelled the town from a map speck to one of the state's most affluent communities.

For all its wealth and Big-City skyline, it is still uniquely West Texan: Barbecue and mariachi mingle with haute couture and endless cowboy boots.

For entertainment, check out the Museum of the Southwest and the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale.

But for real action, think Friday Night Lights: In West Texas, high school football is more a religion than a sport.

Also of interest: Ten worst-rated states for retirement.