taddison4x

Hello,

We are relocating to the Gulf Coast of Texas and would love any advice tips, best places, places to avoid, etc. We are looking at the Corpus Christi area. There isn't a lot of information out there for relocation.

We have heard it was hot, muggy, bugs, and the water is dirty. I'm thinking it is better than Florida and less of a hurricane risk not to mention friendlier people and that the bugs and dirty water are just an inflated views of someone who would also complain about Hawaii! LOL

Any thoughts are really appreciated.
Jenny

Unregistered

We are moving from Tupelo MS to Victoria, TX next week. I am originally from Austin. I cannot wait!! We have looked forward to this for so long. Victoria is small enough to get to know everyone, but is smack dab in the middle of Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and the beach. You could do day trips to all locations!

Melinda

Unregistered

The last one hit in '03 (Claudette).

The issue of dirty water is pretty subjective when it comes to the ocean. We've camped at Padre Island NS and Mustang Island SP a few times and the only noticeable issue is the occasional seaweed, a minor detail for us. As far as the bugs (skeeters), there's usually a constant wind to keep them at bay.

Shannon

Where do you live, currently? That'll help folks gauge the "adjustment" you might be in for moving to Corpus Christi or other Texas Gulf Coast locales.

Here's a quickie response. Give me a bit of time and I'll post some links for relocation info that may help you, as well...

Better than Florida? It's definitely cheaper, and less hurricane prone (though not completely out of danger, as Dennis is currently reminding U.S. Gulf Coast residents. Corpus Christi has plenty of tourism opportunities, especially if you enjoy history (U.S.S. Lexington aircraft carrier, historic districts and parks), birdwatching (Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and much more) or fishing, beachcombing or boating. It is not, however, Orlando. One downside -- it's also an oil and gas refining city, with the accompanying annoyances (chemical smell when downwind of the plants) and lower income areas near those 'undesirable' living areas.

Hot & muggy, with bugs -- And...? That defines most southern Gulf Coast cities... That said, it's probably hotter here in San Antonio (Central Texas) than down on the coast, due to the prevailing "sea breeze" winds. Which, by the way, keep the bugs at bay except after dark, for the most part. Worst times/places for bugs are when the winds are nonexistant and you're in a marshy, densely forested area -- these are generally only found in the National Wildlife Refuges on the coast, which means you'll probably be prepared for the onslaught when you encounter them. Most of these refuges have driving tours, so you don't have to get out of the car if you absolutely don't want to, by the way.

The weather is terrific much of the year -- we've gone camping at Padre Island National Seashore (near Corpus Christi) when the rest of the USA is snowed under or complaining of tornados, floods or droughts. Beach access along the Texas Upper and Central Coast is prevalent, with fishing piers (public and county parks with low fees), boardwalks, the National Seashore and various State Parks on the beach and inland, as well as several world-renowned National Wildlife Refuges (Aransas NWR, Anahuac NWR, etc.)

People in Texas are friendly, indeed. I haven't been to Florida or Hawaii (except as a toddler), so I can't compare our folks to other coastal communities.

As for the water being dirty, that's the Gulf of Mexico for you. That said, the water has an unfair reputation for being "dirty" when for the most part it is simply sediment. The Gulf is a giant "bowl" if you will, and it gets stirred up by ocean currents, so it is almost always dark. That said, as you get offshore or after a good storm that circulates the water and allows the sediment to settle out, the waters are diveable and certainly good for coastal, bay and offshore fishing and boating. Justin and I fly to the Texas Coast fairly often and the waters look inviting from the air... they're no Caribbean or Pacific waters, but they're fine. Every now and then tar and debris washes up on the southern beaches (Padre Island National Seashore, etc.), but it's cleaned up by regular volunteer beach cleanups and normal weather and wave action. The tar is generally from natural seepage and, in part, the increasing offshore drilling use -- this is occurring throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast, by the way. The trash is mostly from boaters and commercial vessels that are dumping illegally and improperly, both in the Gulf and in the ocean -- once the currents take that stuff into the Gulf, it will be carried to the U.S. Gulf Coast beaches in time... but it's totally safe. The sand is fine, white and inviting, and beachcombing opportunities abound, especially after storms (freshly wash the beaches and redistribute the sand).

Okay, so this wasn't as short as I meant for it to be. More later!

I welcome some feedback from some of our coastal-dwelling Wild Texans!

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taddison4x

HI Again,


Thanks for the great post.

We are coming from Ohio, 7-8 months of snow is just getting too old! We don't have kids so there is nothing stopping us and we love warmer climates.

I think Florida is getting a reputation for unfriendly people because so many people from up north and the midwest are moving there and some (as in anywhere) are bringing their city attitudes.

My father was from Texas and I was always amazed at how proud he was of his state. I have noticed that about other Texans also. ( Kelly Clarkson from American Idol is the same way) To me that is very cool.

Anyway, do you know of anywhere to find out local information about moving to Corpus Christi? Parts that are good, bad, employment, etc. Is there "up and coming" areas in the gulf coast area?

We're laid back so don't care about being around big city life. We just want to live in a friendly area and beaches will be nice too Oh and no snow! LOL

We are planning to visit Corpus Christi soon to check things out.We would love to Camp on Mustang Island. Do you know if a van can get to the primitive camping areas or do you need a 4X4?


Thanks again for any advice.

MissionCamper

taddison4x - I moved from Wisconsin to Deep South Texas 3 years ago for basically the same reason as yours...to divorce myself from the snow & cold! However, in the process, I've gone from one extreme to the next. Now, I'm looking at possibly moving up to around the Dallas area sometime in the (hopefully) near future.

About the Gulf, we've also camped at Padre Island NS and South Padre Island. Solitude to the north, development to the south...take your pick. There's really nothing quite like being one of only a few souls inhabiting miles of beach when at the NS. Like having it virtually all to yourself! We've been to Mustang Island SP a couple of times - RV camping is "parking lot" style. Facilities are well-kept. They do have primitive camping on the beach as well. You'll see occasional seaweed along the Gulf, but aside from that it is every bit as good as the Florida coast IMO.

Although we really haven't noticed too much of it, the garbage, we've been told, is predominately from ships dumping at Mexican ports (outside U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction).

Don't know if this was mentioned, but Corpus also is home to the Texas Aquarium...another interesting attraction.

Hope some of this helps.

MissionCamper

Oh yeah, almost forgot...here are some links filled with info about Corpus Christi:

http://www.cctexas.com/

http://www.corpuschristi-tx-cvb.org/

http://www.corpuschristichamber.org/

Smitty

My dad lives in Portland across the bay from Corpus. Most of the folks there commute to Corpus to work. Portland is a small city and you wont feel like a stranger there, everybody knows everybody. Corpus has free outdoor concerts at times down ocean drive. Its fun to drive by the "T" heads and look at the diff boats. The water is not clear blue like hawaii. But its not filthy either. The fishing is great. And of course the winters here are mild.

taddison4x

Thanks for all the posts and the links that everyone has posted. I have some new cities to look at (Portland and Victoria). It sounds like the area is really nice and is a place that we would love to live.


Thanks for taking the time to post your thoguhts for me. I welcome more ideas and thoughts also

You guys are great!

mbiggs

I am relocating to Chicago. I live on 5.33 ac. about 45 miles northwest of houston off of Hwy. 290. It's a 3 story Victorian and the site is mostly wooded. Surrounded by a horse farm. Am motivated to move. You have to see the place. Great access to Houston, but small town feel. One and a half hour to Galveston.

Unregistered

The up and coming area on the Gulf coast is Brownsville!I spent fours years researching the best place in the U.S to live and this is it.South Padre Island is 30 minutes away.Plus we have our own Boca Chica Beach if you want more solitude.The summers are warm but nce because you always have the breeze.The beaches are clean and the water is blue.You could'nt find friendlier people and the birding is wonderful here.If you want to go to Mexico Pogresso is a nice ,safe small town or Matamorras is right here.Brownsville is building a river walk like in San Antonio.We have 16 miles of paved ,and well lit hike and bike trails along resaccas.Check this area out!I moved here without even visiting ,from California and LOVE it here.Plus the winters are very mild with highs in the 70's and 80,smost of the timebut occasionallly in the 40s and 50s.

taddison4x

Thanks for the info. How is the crime in Brownsville? Do you have any sites that you recommend I go to? It sounds interesting. I appreciate your help

Unregistered

I lived in SE Texas most of my 50 years and have many relatives in the Rio Grande Valley. Interesting sites would be 1. Matamoros, Mexico, just across the border. Its economy is based mostly on US tourism, so they tend to cater to the tousist. 2. My favorite place is just west of there, called Rio Progresso. It's a very small town, but they still cater to tourists. Prices are usually cheaper than Matamoros. There are also a few restaurants there that are good. My favorite is Arturo's on the main street. Very good food at reasonable prices. I never go to Progresso without eating at Arturo's. If you go to Mexico in the summertime, be sure you drink lots of BOTTLED water. It is hot and muggy there because of all of the concrete reflecting the heat. The soft drinks are good too, but they won't rehydrate you as quickly as water. I would be happy to discuss South Texas further by e-mail if you would like. You can find me at vz_we3hares@verizon.net.

ploddinTod

It's been years since I've been down to extreme south TX. One place I remember was a restaurant in Reynosa called the Imperial with its famous "Dancing Waters" (exquisite fountains). How's the food there nowadays?

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PloddinTod

MissionCamper

I think you mean Nuevo Progreso... and I agree with you about Arturo's. Great place to eat!

One thing we learned about living in the valley is that we were constantly living in air conditioning. That 2-week window you get between December and January where it's actually pleasant 24/7 is always nice, you can even open the windows and let in some fresh air. As for the other 10 months out of the year, it's hot during the day and humid at night.

Four months after my previous post in this thread, I moved from the RGV and am now getting an even mix of climates. And my car's A/C is getting a much needed rest!