Relocating winter/spring to CC(cost of living questions) (Houston: spring break, apartments)

[R7d61]

Hi all, I have finally decided to head-out to Corpus Christi after I am finished with a moving job I have in Detroit, MI. I am saving and budgeting currently for moving out there and was wondering about the cost of living is there nowadays? I stayed in CC when I was younger but had a free-ride because I was just a kid, so I never paid any attention to prices of anything really.

I found several good apartments I am checking out in November and hopefully signing a lease to one of them.

I am wondering however what's the average grocery bill going to look like for a single bachelor? I know this will vary based on eating habits/tastes just looking for a ballpark estimate so I can add to my budgeting list. would appreciate any market/grocery store recommendations as well. I am a big fan of seafood, rice, beans, etc.

Also what's the average gas prices like these days?

Last I remember there were tons of things to do for free or cheap. Is it still like that? and is the local entertainment fairly priced(night clubs, bars, concert events, etc)?

Also how is nightlife in CC? It's a very beautiful city, So I am sure I will find myself on the beach more often than not, but how active is the nightlife in downtown CC(note I am 24yr old, will be 25yr old when I finally move there, so looking to hang out with ppl my age up to 35yrs old)

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Can't wait to move!

[changeofpace]

Cost of living is cheap compared to many other parts of the country (north and south). Lots to do if water is your thing. Downtown is getting more and more busy on weekends with plenty of entertainment (it has changed significantly in the 2 years we have been here). Gas is 2.39 for regular. Rent is more than reasonable as are homes (starter or move up homes). People who have lived here all there lives have no idea what they have here, they take it for granted. The city is undertaking a huge PRIDE campaign to clean up the entire city. Downtown is changing for the better in many ways as well.

[R7d61]

Yeah, I can see how natives overlook all the great things about their location and dwell on the negative.

I love to SCUBA dive & Snorkel, Swim, Fish, etc so I'll really enjoy being by the bay..Also not sure if you can figure this out for me or not, but I remember some beach area down there(I believe it's close to the old fleet carrier) where you can walk out far out into the bay and still only be knee deep in water(I believe there's a big drop off at some point tho). I always thought that was so cool.

Also what's utilites looking like? One Apartment place I called said something like $21 a mth for water is that for real or do you think she's just trying to get me to sign the lease? What's Gas & Electric looking like? I know that all varies from how well insulated it is, the size of the house,(or apartment in my case) etc. But again just looking for ballpark ranges.

Thanks for your help so far changeofpace.

-Mike-

[CptnRn]

http://www.city-data.com/city/Corpus-Christi-Texas.html

Estimated median household income in 2007: $41,416 (it was $36,414 in 2000)
Corpus Christi: $41,416
Texas: $47,548

Estimated per capita income in 2007: $21,943
Corpus Christi: $21,943
Texas: $23,938

Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $104,500 (it was $70,500 in 2000)
Corpus Christi: $104,500
Texas: $120,900

Mean prices in 2007: All housing units: $128,725; Detached houses: $131,852; Townhouses or other attached units: $148,790; In 2-unit structures: $203,317; In 3-to-4-unit structures: $148,981; In 5-or-more-unit structures: $132,595; Mobile homes: $26,139; Occupied boats, RVs, vans, etc.: $13,978

Median gross rent in 2007: $755.
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2007: 18.8%
(10.5% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 23.3% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 24.6% for other race residents)
Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Corpus...#ixzz0QGBKQB3L

[changeofpace]

We have a 3,100 sq ft house, all electric and our average electric bill (with my wife running her corporation from her home office here) is $205 per month. Our water bill averages $135 per month however we have a 1/4 acre lot and all new landscaping so we water the lawn, trees and shrubs 3 days a week. Our custom built home was $122 per sq foot to build compared to $130-$145 per sq foot if we built it in San Antonio, Austin, San Marcos or DFW.

[R7d61]

wow I'm really going to love the utilities when I relocate! In Michigan you'll pay near that much in a 500sqft loft! And don't get me started on gas in the winter(even if you don't use ANY gas, they just figure you will and scalp the heck out of you!).

Thanks so much for your help changeofpace, I really appreciate it!

[gabetx]

It depends, what kind of nightclubs do you enjoy? There are several good and fun places to go to on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights throughout the city. There are also some ghetto ones so watch out. Nightclubs usually have $5-$10 dollar cover charges. Drinks usually include $1 beer and bar, $2-$6 dollar liquor and mixed drinks. Lots of single people in this city and a lot of very beautiful women. Beaches only tend to be packed on weekends and holidays during the summer or during spring break. By the way, bars and clubs go crazy during spring break. Nothing is really fancy though like you would find in large cities like Houston or SA, but they are still fun and you will have a really good time.

Apartments range from about $600-$900 dollars for a good location and nice apartment. I think you should look into the Nueces Lofts, or the Walnut Ridge apartments. Nueces Lofts are downtown and Walnut Ridge is on the south side where all of the shopping, dining, and a lot of bars and clubs are around.

[bb54321]

Corpus Christi actually has some really nice bars that you wouldn't even find in SA. If you want a really nice atmosphere and a good looking, professional crowd, try some of these places.

Havana Club www.havanaclubcc.com

Aria Sky Terrace & Lounge www.ariacc.com

Katz 21 www.katz21.com

Bombay www.bombaycc.com

D' Lounge (don't think they have a website)

[gabetx]

Wow, I have never heard of bombay. Looks very... exotic and nice. Ya, Havana and Aria never came to mind when I was posting that. Both of those places are amazing, but expensive.

[bb54321]

[ Mod cut ] I've been to the "upscale" bars in SA. They're nice, but nothing special. I'd expect more from the 7th largest city in the nation. That's all. And that list was just off the top of my head. I could have named others but they were the first that came to mind so I typed them.