Carrizo Springs is a compact, affordable South Texas county seat (population ~4,900) with a relaxed small‑town vibe, historic streets, easy access to wide open country for birding, hunting and weekend road trips, and enough local restaurants and community events to make multi‑week stays comfortable rather than isolating.
For bigger‑city options, Uvalde is roughly 50–53 miles north for more dining and services, and Laredo is about 74 miles away for major shopping, cultural venues and an airport—so you get quiet, low‑cost living during the week with doable weekend escapes to larger hubs.