Lake Livingston Livin' (Houston, Arlington, Conroe: rental, best hotel, big house)

[recuerdeme]

I think Lake Livingston is pure mobile home country... but hey you could help turn that around.
Land is cheap out there. I've been thinking of getting some myself.

[TX_AGGIE13]

Just want to make a few corrections here. First, Huntsville does not house the Death Row inmates, only executes them at the Huntsville Unit in downtown. The Polunsky Unit in Livingston, TX. houses them. There are 8 prisons in the Huntsville area, and this is the largest prison section in the US. Lake Conre sells much better because it's proximity to the Greater Houston Metro is actually now in it, while Lake Livingston is at least 30 miles from the NE section of the Metro hence much higher property values on Lake Conroe. Also Huntsville, TX. is not even on Lake Livingston, but is rather a 20 mile drive away. Trinity, Coldsprings, Onalaska, Livingston, those areas are Lake Livingston towns. As far as the lake its self I do not suggest Trinity, but the best area on the lake for watersports is there called White Rock Creek. The water is smooth as glass there, I am a wakeboarder and this is where I keep my tow boat. Fishing is mediocre all over the lake, and there are many creek branches around all areas with fishing, although catfish are the majority. Lake Livingston is not all that clean, and is a shallow lake in most parts with occasional droughts, and dam issues due to the occourance of periodical hurricanes in the Houston area. I used to sell Real Estate in Trinity, and remember a 2 year period where everyone who owned a dry dock, or pier was complaining about the water levels being down to where the water was in many places 100yds from the dock. Livingston is probably your best bet for amenities with a hospital, Wal-Mart, fast food, etc.... Onalaska is the fastest growing town on the lake, but not many restricted communities yet, and average housing. If I personally had to pick a place I would suggest the Waterwood Community, or Coldsprings area. There are many nice restricted subdivisions with golf courses, and very reasonably priced homes for what you get. Waterwood was originally developed to be one of the most upscale Golf Resorts in the Nation, but after one of the partner developing companies went under it kinda died. There are very nice roads, and the course is awesome, but then again your kinda in the middle of nowhere. Cape Royal outside of Coldsprings is very nice, and worth looking into. Anyway, that's just a little info, and this posting is somewhat old, so you may have already made your move. If not, and you want anymore info message me.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by TX_AGGIE13

Just want to make a few corrections here. First, Huntsville does not house the Death Row inmates, only executes them at the Huntsville Unit in downtown. The Polunsky Unit in Livingston, TX. houses them. There are 8 prisons in the Huntsville area, and this is the largest prison section in the US. Lake Conre sells much better because it's proximity to the Greater Houston Metro is actually now in it, while Lake Livingston is at least 30 miles from the NE section of the Metro hence much higher property values on Lake Conroe. Also Huntsville, TX. is not even on Lake Livingston, but is rather a 20 mile drive away. Trinity, Coldsprings, Onalaska, Livingston, those areas are Lake Livingston towns. As far as the lake its self I do not suggest Trinity, but the best area on the lake for watersports is there called White Rock Creek. The water is smooth as glass there, I am a wakeboarder and this is where I keep my tow boat. Fishing is mediocre all over the lake, and there are many creek branches around all areas with fishing, although catfish are the majority. Lake Livingston is not all that clean, and is a shallow lake in most parts with occasional droughts, and dam issues due to the occourance of periodical hurricanes in the Houston area. I used to sell Real Estate in Trinity, and remember a 2 year period where everyone who owned a dry dock, or pier was complaining about the water levels being down to where the water was in many places 100yds from the dock. Livingston is probably your best bet for amenities with a hospital, Wal-Mart, fast food, etc.... Onalaska is the fastest growing town on the lake, but not many restricted communities yet, and average housing. If I personally had to pick a place I would suggest the Waterwood Community, or Coldsprings area. There are many nice restricted subdivisions with golf courses, and very reasonably priced homes for what you get. Waterwood was originally developed to be one of the most upscale Golf Resorts in the Nation, but after one of the partner developing companies went under it kinda died. There are very nice roads, and the course is awesome, but then again your kinda in the middle of nowhere. Cape Royal outside of Coldsprings is very nice, and worth looking into. Anyway, that's just a little info, and this posting is somewhat old, so you may have already made your move. If not, and you want anymore info message me.

Thanks for that info TX AGGIE. I learned something. I also might make a correction by recuerdeme who claims Lake Livingston is mobile home country. It is not. At least anywhere below the Onalaska bridge. Since I know my Coldspring pretty well, Coldspring surrounds almost all of the lake below the Onalaska bridge. Other then maybe Holiday Shores I dont know of any mobile home clusters on the lake.

Your right that the OP is long long gone now. But who cares. Thanks for your suggestion about White Rock Creek, I have to look into that area. We have no water level issues this end of the lake other then the big drop after RITA blew the rip-rap from the dam. The fishing is better then you said also. Ya gotta know how and where.

Your description of Waterwood was missing the problems with the crooked San Jacinto Sheriff and all his cronies of the early 80s. It was the Sheriffs son who invented a security company to look over Waterwood that begun the fall and money drain of Waterwood. If anyone wants to read this story it is the best book I ever read. Its called "Terror on 59" by Steve Sellers. The book is out of print and hard to find and if you do you will pay over $100 for it. But the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce is reproducing these books for just $29 and will be available in the spring.

Im new here but those I talk to who lived here in the early 80s and experienced the terror of the crooked San Jacinto Sheriffs around the Lake Livingston area will never forget it. Much of the terror was on 59 where they shook down anyone with long hair or a rock station sticker on their bumper. They took and stole money from motorists at will.

Thanks for reviving this thread and the info you provided TX AGGIE. It sure is a subject close to me and my beloved lake.

[chris_ut]

Originally Posted by desertsun41

Your description of Waterwood was missing the problems with the crooked San Jacinto Sheriff and all his cronies of the early 80s. It was the Sheriffs son who invented a security company to look over Waterwood that begun the fall and money drain of Waterwood. If anyone wants to read this story it is the best book I ever read. Its called "Terror on 59" by Steve Sellers. The book is out of print and hard to find and if you do you will pay over $100 for it. But the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce is reproducing these books for just $29 and will be available in the spring.

Be wary when driving through that area, the speed limit drops right near Waterwood and there is almost always a speed trap there.

[bostoner]

I have relatives in Huntsville. It's actually a pretty pleasant, livable town, considering the presence of the prisons. It's pretty, hilly, and has lots and lots of trees and forest. Other than meeting plenty of people who work in the system, the prisons will have no impact on your daily life.

SHSU isn't THAT bad of a college. It's just not that great. It's average, I guess... I mean, UT & A&M are better, yes, but they're better than most colleges in the state. I don't know if I'd go so far as to say UH is better, though.

[Benning]

My dad lived up in the Lake Livingston for many years and loved it. It is geared more towards retirees, schools aren't great, but utility bills are almost non-existent. It's quiet, peaceful, beautiful. We have a boat, and took it out on Lake Livingston many times, there's never any traffic on that lake, mainly because of all the submerged stumps that unless you have a gadget that maps those hazards for you, it will tear up your prop in short order. Because of that, we use Lake Conroe now a lot more, and even though it's a lot busier, it's also clear and not worrisome. If I fished, I would look more towards Lake Livingston, and if I wanted something nice to retire too, I also would head to Lake Livingston. Lake Conroe is still pretty pricey and in high demand. Lake Livingston, not so much. Also, here's a plug for all things Huntsville. I love Huntsville! There's no crime there, because of the prison system, the town rolls up the rug at 10 p.m. It's a great place to retire to also, because you have a decent healthcare system because of all the students at Sam Houston, and you can take courses there so your brain doesn't turn to mush. The town is actually very vibrant, and living there is dirt cheap, with utility bills to match. It has rolling hills, good weather, lake and national park nearby, Houston is a short drive down I-45. I'm definitely considering moving there when I retire, and the kids are gone.

[ziz_zum]

Livingston is not far away from Lufkin where I grew up. I really enjoyed the going out there and fishing and camping. Can't tell you much about the homes but there are some pretty ones. The fishing though was great. I hear they also teach scuba diving at the lake also. I enjoyed my time there but if you want bragging rights and don't want travel trailers around lake Conroe is the place.

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by ziz_zum

Livingston is not far away from Lufkin where I grew up. I really enjoyed the going out there and fishing and camping. Can't tell you much about the homes but there are some pretty ones. The fishing though was great. I hear they also teach scuba diving at the lake also. I enjoyed my time there but if you want bragging rights and don't want travel trailers around lake Conroe is the place.

I know the lake pretty well around nearly the enire perimiter south of 190. I am also a certified PADI scuba diver. I can tell you with 100% certian that there is no scuba shops or activity anywhere on Lake Livingston. The visability is zero. I think Conroe might be less then 2'.

The only trailer homes on the entire lake south of 190 are in Onalaska and some in Holiday Shores which is on the Coldspring/Oakhurst side of the lake just below 190. Forget that stereo type. Lake front property is too expensive for a trailer home.

I cruised about 10 knots or about 12 MPH within 200' of the shoreline from Cape Royale south and all along the southern end, along the 2 mile dam, then back north on the east side of the lake all the way up to the scenic loop which is 100% within Coldsping city limits and covers perhaps 50 or more miles and I have never seen a trailer home on the water.

[Houston3]

I have a small place there, I haven't been there in a few years. I guess I need to go see if it's still standing... LOL....

[Benning]

Blue Lagoon Scuba

Here's a place in Huntsville where they do they SCUBA diving.