Is Lake Conroe a nice place to retire?

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by Jana K

The most beautiful lake in Texas is Lake Travis in Austin. It is also the cleanest. The water level fluctuates, but it is worth the agro just to be there. The Pedernales River, where it flows into Lake Travis, is also very pretty. Do yourself a favor and check these out. Eat at the Oasis overlooking the lake, preferably at sunset.

Possum Kingdom is prettier than Travis.

[Jana K]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

Possum Kingdom is prettier than Travis.

Very Pretty, but nope

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by Jana K

Very Pretty, but nope

Sorry, but you lost credibility when recommending eating at Oasis. The food at that tourist trap is mediocre on a good day.

[Jana K]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

Sorry, but you lost credibility when recommending eating at Oasis. The food at that tourist trap is mediocre on a good day.

The food is mediocre and overpriced at best. It's all about the view of the lake. I never get tired of it.

[Houston parent]

Those Austin area "lakes" are just slightly widened rivers. As far as them being more attractive than East Texas lakes, that is certainly subjective. I generally find the East Texas pine forests to be much more scenic than the scrubby cedar and rocks of the Hill Country. The only area where the Hill Country "lakes" win is in water clarity. Most of them are flood control lakes, however, and the water levels fluctuate wildly. That makes it a real PITA during extended droughts.

[Jana K]

Originally Posted by Houston parent

Those Austin area "lakes" are just slightly widened rivers. As far as them being more attractive than East Texas lakes, that is certainly subjective. I generally find the East Texas pine forests to be much more scenic than the scrubby cedar and rocks of the Hill Country. The only area where the Hill Country "lakes" win is in water clarity. Most of them are flood control lakes, however, and the water levels fluctuate wildly. That makes it a real PITA during extended droughts.

Muddy water and alligators? No thank you.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by Jana K

Muddy water and alligators? No thank you.

Obviously you have never been to Sam Rayburn have you?

http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/portal...am_308x208.png

Have you not traveled in Texas much or do you work at the Oasis?

[Jana K]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

Obviously you have never been to Sam Rayburn have you?

http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/portal...am_308x208.png

Have you not traveled in Texas much or do you work at the Oasis?

I have not been to Sam Rayburn. I have spent time on Livingston, Fayette County, Belton, Somerville, Brownwood, Canyon, Conroe & Travis. The OP asked about Conroe and I veered off topic. Conroe is terribly overcrowded with lots of stumps, imo.
There are so many lakes in Texas to choose from, each with their own negatives and positives.

[Jana K]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

Obviously you have never been to Sam Rayburn have you?

http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/portal...am_308x208.png

Have you not traveled in Texas much or do you work at the Oasis?

No I do not work at the Oasis and I was born in Texas, so I know my way around pretty good. ha. So about Sam Rayburn, I am looking at the pic you sent and it reminds me of Lake Buchanan in that it is really big and round. Travis on the other hand is long (64 miles) but not round. Someone said it is a widened river, which is true of all lakes in Texas except one. But to me, that is what makes it interesting, cruising along, seeing the beautiful shoreline as you go.Stopping in a cove, along the way. Or detouring up the Pedernales. As opposed to being in a lake where you get in the middle and all you see is water. Not sure about Sam Rayburn, but because of their size, Livingston and Buchanan can be like Galveston Bay at times when the wind picks up - very rough.
The other thing is, what you are doing on the lake? Livingston is a much better lake for fishing than say Travis. Travis is better for jet-skiing and wakeboarding, because it is usually smoother. So that is another factor to consider when choosing. Then there is the problem with Canyon Lake, Belton or Somerville - no docks allowed. Huge negative. Lake Travis has docks, but the water level fluctuates considerably. I think the dock-mover guy is the richest man in town. But Lake Austin which is the next lake down from Travis is constant level and the home prices start in the millions. So once again, it's a trade off.