How is Corpus Christi? (San Antonio, Harlingen: crime, new home, established neighborhood)

[CADRMNDANES]

How are the neighborhoods, schools & crime in Corpus Christi?
We have a family.
We like waterfront homes.
Any quiet peaceful areas?
Weather?
People?

Thanks!

PS. I lived in San Antonio, TX when I was a child. I now live in CA.

[changeofpace]

We are also considering moving to either Corpus of Harlingen. We spent a week in March checking out as much as possible (except schools) and found many nice neighborhoods and people. Lamar Park and De Mar are very nice well established neighborhoods but on the high side cost wise. For newer developments, Kings Crossing and Greystone were nice and Cornerstone in Flour Bluff was our choice for building a new home in Corpus. North Shore Country Club area of Portland was our second choice in Corpus. If you have education and/or experience in management or a professional field, jobs are plentiful at various employers throughout Corpus.
Corpus has very little graffitti compared to Minneapolis, Minnesota and home prices are a bargain compared to MN. Taxes are even less than in Minnesota. The Coprus Chamber of Commerce was a big help as well as the realtor we worked with while in Corpus in March.

[changeofpace]

Sorry, that should be Corpus OR Harlingin TX.

[changeofpace]

Should have proof read my post before I submitted it. The neighborhood of Del Mar was very nice and an established neighborhood.

[CADRMNDANES]

Thank you for your reply.

My husband and I will selling our business here in CA and retiring from our field. We won't be looking for employment. We may dabble in a few fixer-uppers on the side just to keep us busy.

[changeofpace]

We dont have children so did not do any research on schools. We are semi-retiring so checked out crime, neighborhoods and medical facilities, all of which were very good. We looked at some waterfront homes on Padre Island and they were very reasonably priced. Again, Lamar Park and Del Mar have great homes and are well established neighborhoods just blocks from the beaches. As far as fixer uppers, we looked at a few and they were a bargain as well.
We are leaning towards Harlingen now as we have checked out several new homes in the country club area and we are not looking for waterfront homes. We found Harlingen home prices are less, lots tend to be bigger in new developments and property taxes are lower than Corpus. We will be making a trip to Harlingen and Corpus the end of June to decide which city we want to live in and to purchase our retirement home.

[scubashawn]

Just moved to Corpus a few months ago...here are my thoughts....
I am origianlly from So. Cal....I was a Realtor in GA.....
I love Corpus so far....if you want quiet beach front property try North Padre Island. Flour Bluff is a bit iffy from what I have been told.
I honestly wouldn't move from CA.....I moved before i could afford a home and now cannot afford to go back. If you love CA, Iwouldn'y leave it. If you can't wait to leave then Corpus may be for you. There's not much crime and for the most part people seem real friendly.
Hope that help ?

[Marlow]

Originally Posted by CADRMNDANES

How are the neighborhoods, schools & crime in Corpus Christi?
We have a family.
We like waterfront homes.
Any quiet peaceful areas?
Weather?
People?

Neighborhoods vary from old and established to brand new.
The quality of schools varies, mostly with the income of the neighborhood.

Waterfront homes are available. You don't mention your price range, but you could pay $1 to $3 million for a home on Ocean Dr. in CC, or you could pay much, much less for a home on Padre Island, in Flour Bluff, Oso Estates or across the Harbor Bridge in Portland.

There are lots and lots of quiet, peaceful areas.

The weather is hot and humid from May to October. We actually had a very mild May this year and it's just now heating up. It's not uncommon to be able to swim in an outdoor pool from March to October. Winters are mild. If it dips into the 40's people are wearing their leather jackets. It freezes occasionally, but rarely for more than a few hours at night.

People are nice and friendly. It's a working class town and the overall education level is not as high as you might find in some places. But if you stay in one neighborhood long enough you'll find that you can't get through a grocery store visit without stopping and talking to at least a couple of people.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have.

[CADRMNDANES]

Thanks everyone. We have talked to friends that live in Texas and decided to look at other states.