The sun sets on Lake Athens, one of the popular areas for retirees in Athens to live. Athens is one of the GO TEXAN certified retirement cities in Texas. (Lifestyles Magazine, Courtesy) 

The GO TEXAN Certified Retirement Community Program is a certification and promotion program of the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Certified retirement communities rate high on a retiree desirability assessment scored by an advisory committee of volunteers experienced in community and economic development.

These communities demonstrate they meet the living, employment, volunteer, health, entertainment, education and safety needs of its retirees, citizens and visitors.

Certified retirement communities in the region include Athens, Atlanta, Canton, Chandler, Commerce, DeKalb, Franklin County, Gun Barrel City, Henderson, Jacksonville, Kaufman, Longview, Lufkin, Mineola, Nacogdoches County, Palestine, Panola County, Paris, Pittsburg, Polk County, Rusk Sabine County, San Augustine County, Shelby County, Texarkana and Winnsboro.