Between San Antonio And Houston Is Texas' Affordable City With Friendly Vibes And Small-Town Charm

Exactly 106 miles from San Antonio, and 105 miles from Houston, the city of Hallettsville is an excellent midpoint if you need to fill up on gas between the two cities, but residents would encourage you to linger and explore the unique local culture of what Travel Texas deems a "tourism friendly Texas certified community." The place offers more of a vibrant village ambiance than big-city energy, so it's perfect for anyone searching for a slower pace of life within easy reach of the likes of Austin. In a press release from the Office of the Texas Governor, Travel Texas Director Tim Fennell said, "Hallettsville's deep roots and cultural traditions offer visitors a genuine taste of small-town Texas ... it's a place where every visit feels personal."

You can reach Hallettsville by flying to Victoria Regional Airport, which is roughly 47 miles away and provides direct flights to and from Houston. Depending on where you are traveling from, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport may be a more realistic option as it's roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes' drive away. From either airport, consider hiring a car to get to Hallettsville and other nearby points of interest — like the parks and shops of laid-back Yoakum – but even without leaving the 2.7 square mile area, there's plenty to do in what's known as "the city of hospitality." 

The best time to visit Hallettsville is between March and May, or from September to November if you want warm but bearable weather that avoids intense summer heat and humidity. In September, you can line up your visit with the annual (and highly anticipated) Hallettsville Kolache Fest, when average temperatures are roughly 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring your stretchy pants for this delicious event.

Post-Civil War, there was an influx of Czech and German immigrants in Texas, which is why you'll see places with Germanic names, like Henkhaus, New Braunfels, and the German-rooted city of Schulenburg. The Czech and German cuisines persist in the state today, and every year the Hallettsville Kolache Fest takes place, celebrating Czech heritage and its delectable pastry. Activities in this small Texas city include fun runs, arts and crafts stations, a parade, and of course, heaps of kolaches.

Whether you plan to visit during the festival or at another time, there are several Airbnb properties available within Hallettsville and on the outskirts. Alternatively, the handful of hotels in town all have a minimum 4-star rating on Google; the Chaparral Motel is a budget-friendly spot southwest of the city with rooms from $80 per night, and Hotel Texas-Hallettsville in the north has basic rooms from around $113 per night.

If moving to Hallettsville is on the cards, prospective residents will be pleased with the cost of living score of 84.5. Taking into account factors like housing, food, childcare, healthcare, taxes, and more, living costs are 15.5% lower than the national average, and average home costs are around 7.6% lower, at $312,300. When it comes time to choose your neighborhood, take note that the priciest parts are in the southwest and more affordable areas are in the east.

For a place with such a small-town atmosphere, Hallettsville, Texas, has a lot of activities to offer. See the Romanesque Revival-style Lavaca County Courthouse which was built in 1897, meander through the Lavaca Historical Museum exhibits, and swap the famous Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island in New York for Hallettsville's very own (much, much smaller) Statue of Liberty.

One Niche reviewer wrote, "I like how close the town folk are to each other," so making friends shouldn't be a problem in this close-knit yet welcoming community. Representative AJ Louderback called Hallettsville, "A city that celebrates its deep cultural heritage, embodies southern charm, preserves natural beauty, and is filled with friendly people that define what it means to be Texan."

When you think of things associated with being Texan — Friday night football, cowboys, unyielding state pride — you may be surprised to learn about one unexpected pastime; dominoes. The state was the birthplace of the game known as "42", and Hallettsville just so happens to have hosted the Texas State Domino Championship since 1952. As a result, it's home to the Texas Domino Hall of Fame which you can visit inside the Knights of Columbus Hall. Scott Pitzer, a sales manager for a Texas-based domino manufacturer called Puremco, told Texas Monthly, "It's played everywhere from beer joints to Baptist churches ... It's a game about food, fellowship, and fun." New Hallettsville residents are unlikely to struggle fostering friendships there, but if needed, dominoes is a surefire way to bond with the locals.