Did you know more than 700,000 Americans relocate for retirement annually? Florida, Arizona, and the Carolinas consistently rank above Texas in terms of where to settle down, but our own Lubbock surprised everyone by gracing the cover of Where to Retire magazine earlier this year. Here are just a few reasons why the Northwest Texas city is a great place to spend your golden years:

Though Texas is by no means the #1 state for retirement, that didn't stop one magazine from featuring us in a recent issue. In the January/February 2020 publication of "Where to Retire," Lubbock was not only praised as a great place to settle down -- it made the cover!

Editor Annette Fuller explained that Lubbock possesses qualities important to retirees in the modern age, such as culture, education, and healthcare. With museums, sports, and wide-open plains, it's hard to find oneself bored in this Northwest Texas city.

Spending the day at a winery with your special someone is always memorable, and Lubbock boasts six with plenty of awards under their belt. Nothing quite compares to strolling between endless grapevines while the stillness of the prairie surrounds you.

Restaurants are also a key factor to consider when looking at potential retirement destinations, and Lubbock has some of the best in the area. Evie Mae's Pit Barbecue was recently rated among the top ten BBQ joints in the state by Texas Monthly, with scrumptious offerings like burnt ends, beef ribs, and green chile cheese grits. Whatever you're craving, rest assured it can be found in the Hub City!

Lubbock is the hometown of the rockabilly star we all know and love, whose life is honored in the Buddy Holly Center. This museum, performing arts venue, and visual art gallery all-in-one is dedicated not only to Buddy Holly, but also to the music of Lubbock and West Texas as a whole. There are plenty of other historic sites to visit in town, including a War Memorial paying tribute to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Towering canyonlands surround the area, and exploring them will lead you to some fascinating discoveries -- both natural and man-made. This bizarre structure is Robert Bruno's Steel House, teetering on a steep hillside. Bruno passed away in 2008, but a neighbor keeps his legacy alive by managing the building and leading tours.

So whether your idea of fun is watching the sunset over Buffalo Springs Lake, or perusing the revitalized downtown filled with shops and eateries, Lubbock is the perfect city to spend your golden years in. Somehow, it's peaceful and bustling at the same time!

Visit the Where to Retire website to learn more.

Have you ever been to Lubbock? Do you think it's a good place to retire? If you're retired, did you relocate? Let us know your thoughts, and check out our previous article for another top city to retire in the Lone Star State: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Was Just Named The 10th Best Place In The Country To Retire.

Are there any restaurants, businesses, or other attractions in Texas you think the world should know about? Head over to our nomination page and give them a shoutout — you just might see your submission featured in an upcoming article!