"Bad" sections of Port Arthur? (Houston, Nederland: apartments, to rent)

[vtowntom]

I'm going to be working in Port Arthur on a temporary basis, going home on the weekends. Looking for apartments or a hotel, I was wondering if there were certain sections of Port Arthur I might want to stay away from?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[tstone]

I work in PA and started to commute from the SE side every day. I'm 10 months in and decided to just keep driving. I'm also on a temp (2-3 yr) assignment here.

Most of Port Arthur south of 73 is in very sad shape. There were some pretty nice apartments out on Pleasure Island, but you can scratch that off as Ike wiped out the infrastructure to them. Everyone who lived there got displaced and the island (and all the mess) looks completely abandoned now. There isn't any motivation in PA to clean things up. This is easily the worst town in TX and it's a shame because its little downtown strip and all of the neat-looking, old houses could have a ton of potential.

There is a lot of corporate housing in Nederland and Groves, and in the northern stretches of PA. There are a lot of apartments where the people who work together, live together. Those areas are a lot better. Perhaps your company can help you locate something? Rents can cost as much Midtown or the Galleria, though. (Supply and demand- not that it's truly worth it...) General rule is if the price point would put you in the ghetto in Houston, it'll be ghetto here.

You should really visit for a whole day (or two) to check out the area.

[vtowntom]

Thanks tstone...

I was given some leads by corporate, but I'd really rather not blow my entire per diem on a room/apt. I've called some hotels and apartments, the rates do vary. I'll probably stay in a hotel for the first week or so. I was just concerned about what parts of town not to live in is all. I did get a few good eads as far as apartments though.

I'll keep looking......

[tstone]

The wolves have been let into the hen house regarding the rent situation. The landlords/prop mgr's were fully aware what people were getting paid out here, and they wanted a piece of the pie. Before things recently slowed down, a bunch of companies started 1-upping others to steal employees. Rumor had it one company was offering say 20% more in per diem + a 10% raise, so people hopped over there. And it just kept on continuing this way. However now that the bubble broke, a slew of people are leaving due to lay-offs. So it is possible you can use that information to balk & negotiate something.

[Oildog]

You may find something to rent in the Griffing Park area of PA. But I agree that Ike did a lot of damage to PA and heard Pleasure Island was trashed. Nederland and Groves may have some apts as well. They are a little nicer areas.

[joannv]

east of port arthur is good our small town is not a forgotten town we look for the the city to do more for its people so we can rebuild what has been taken away by mother nature.alot of workers are renting together which has come out alittle cheeper,griffian park and groves would be a good area to live

[joannv]

have a blessed day