Corpus Christi (Houston, San Antonio, Freeport: living, price, gardens)

[baked bean]

Can anyone tell me about Corpus Christi? Now that I know it's too far from San Antonio to simply drop by, I'm looking for things that make it able to stand on its own.

[LongHornGuy86]

It's a small town by the Gulf, but I've only heard good things about it.

[noplacelikeWA]

Originally Posted by baked bean

Can anyone tell me about Corpus Christi? Now that I know it's too far from San Antonio to simply drop by, I'm looking for things that make it able to stand on its own.

It's not that far... We've been out there twice since moving to SA and both trips were fun in there own ways, except the last time was just a day trip and it was lot of time in the car. We were there for New Years Eve day and the town was DEAD!!! The beach was still busy, a comfy 70 degrees out and we did get wet, the beach is reason enough for me to make the trip. The downtown area was completely empty which we found surprising. The museum was fun, but my husband said the Aquarium was not, he said Seaworld was better. I imagine living there would be very relaxed and slow, peaceful is my guess.

[spursfan]

Originally Posted by UTSASTUD

It's a small town by the Gulf, but I've only heard good things about it.

It's not that small, it has metro population of 400k

[CreekKnoll]

Check out Mustang Island National Park just south of Corpus Christi. That's were I like to go.

[Tiger Beer]

I was just there last weekend. Quiet.. very quiet.. it was a weekend.. beaches were empty (too cold) and downtown was really quiet.

looked like the downtown was setup for tourism.. must be in the summer months that it gets going.

i found everything next to the ocean looked REAL nice in Corpus.. but driving there along the highway.. way too many refineries pumping out the pollution right when you are coming into the city.. a strange introduction to the place.

[baked bean]

I do love winter beaches (cold and uncrowded), and small town sounds about right, 400,000 pop notwithstanding. The comment about the refineries is a bit concerning, though. The description of "faded" makes sense, considering the sun-salt-and-wind factors -- that one is not entirely unfamiliar either. Thanks, everyone.

[scubashawn]

Hey Baked...Are you moving there ?
I may be moving there myself.
I have a few friends that live there and they seem to really like it a lot.
Since I'm a big beach person...and scuba diver...I think I'm going to love it.
Looks like SA isnt that far away...

[Trainwreck20]

A scuba diver? Noooo! Who woulda guessed .

Btw, scuba diving right off the coast is pretty minimal. There are some excellent diving trips (on the MV Fling and the MV Spree) to the Flower Gardens reef, but I think they leave out of Freeport (which is quite a bit north of you - maybe 200 miles?). Locally, there is some oil rig diving, which can be quite fun (and rough, sometimes).

If you really want a deal, check out one of the charter trips to Cozumel from SA or Houston (I have used Funjet extensively). You can get really good deals for all inclusive (food, alcohol, airfare, and lodging - not diving) for about the same price as a trip on the Fling or the Spree.

If you have any scuba questions, let me know...although I am more familiar with Mexico and Central Texas than the gulf coast.

Edit: Just looked....no Coz 'hot deal' trips out of SA or Houston right now, they are all to Cancun...bummer. The ones out of DFW are $480 for 4 nights all inclusive. I suspect the Houston/SA ones will be similar when they have some listed (they change all the time).

[scubashawn]

Thanks Train....If you ever need a dive buddy let me know...I may try to volunteer at the Texas Aquarium too.!!!!
By the way...I accepted the job in CC !!!!
Can't wait to get to Texas!