Need Advice about living in Port Aransas!! (apartment complex, rental)

[WantAnAdventure]

I'm a 35-year-old native texan gal who has lived on the west coast for the past five years. I just went through some big changes in my life (for the better!) and need a place where I can regroup and figure out "what's next". I'm weary of the west coast life. Texas is home to me and I feel nurtured there..but I love the beach life!!

I visited Port A several years ago with family and I recall being so sad when I had to leave. I wanted to stay forever! So....I'm considering moving to Port A for one year, at least. I do have an 8-year-old daughter who will be living with me pretty much 95 percent of the time. She will be with grandparents part of the time in North Texas. I will be pulling her out of the school she has known, but she hasn't been very happy there, frankly. I'm a bit nervous about what to expect with the Port A elementary school! Homeschooling could be an option but I don't want to isolate her from other kids.

I work on my computer at home, so finances are covered...although I would prefer to keep my rent at or below $1000 per month. I'm aware of limited shopping, etc. but I know corpus is near.

I guess, overall, I'm hoping to speak to some Port A natives about the following:

1. safety for woman and child in Port A overall (drugs? crime?)
2. Will I have trouble finding a place to rent all year without paying a huge amount in the summer? I'd rather not do the big apartment complex route. I'd prefer something a bit more private...unless it is a condo community that has good residents.
3. We also have a small dog and we are wondering about dog-friendliness there? Poor thing will have a hard time with the heat, I'm sure, but he LOVEs the ocean and once wet and cool will have a blast!
4. mosquitoes: I don't recall having a problem with mosquitos while visiting, but are they as bad as I hear?


So....those are my main concerns. I'm looking at this as a kind of adventure and I'm staying very open to the possibilities.

I'd love to hear from anyone who can help us get some insight. Again..this is not a "new home" kind of thing, but more like a long vacation to regroup. I would say my top concern is where we would live while there and how we would go about finding it.

Thanks everyone!!!

[chekasb]

Hello,

My name is Sandy, and when I read your blog, I was wondering if someone I knew put that in there for me. LOL *** I am a single mom-- 41 yrs old, with two little girls ages 10, and 13.

I want to move to port Aransas for at least a year as well, and I have been making inquiries on rental properties out there. VERY EXPENSIVE! I too do not wish to do the apartment dwelling, but would rather have a little cozy, private place.

I would be very interested in hearing of any leads that come your way.

I am a medically retired Vet from the Army, and get a disability check along with child-support, so I would be looking for a p/t job to supplement.

I did speak with an owner of a rental today, and she said that the elementary school offers 1 teacher to every 11 students. That's pretty darn good ratio. She said that town is loaded$$$. I thought that was a positive, and you certainly wouldn't get that kind of ratio in a city.

Anyway, I wish you luck in your search, and would appreciate any shared information that you might get from a local.


Take care,
Sandy