Texas Gulf Coast town questions & recommendations? (Austin, Corpus Christi: apartment, rental)

[Griffis]

Hello, All. I am writing to you from Oklahoma, but my wife and I were both born in Texas (Austin and Ft. Worth.)

We have lived all over the USA and traveled outside the country and continent a little. However, we've spent more time in Oklahoma than anywhere else.

We seem to get itchy feet to switch jobs and move about every three years, and that time has come again.

We had a plan to relocate to gulf coast Florida, but with some of the issues they are having with water supply, we are re-thinking that.

I spent a lot of time in Galveston and Corpus Christi as a kid, late 70s to late 80s, but I know nothing about what they are like now.

We would very much like to live near the coast, near the ocean. Kind of hard to do in Oklahoma, and one reason we were looking at Florida.

It would be me, my wife and my teenage daughter. We have another daughter who's already out of the nest, but she may relocate as well. We are fun loving people, but not major partiers. We are pretty much apolitical and irreligious, but we respect everyone's beliefs and have lots of friends with very different ideologies than ours. We try to be open minded and open hearted. My kids are done with school, so that's not a big issue.

We will not be looking to buy. In fact, we hope to someday be able to get into a nice heavy duty truck pulling a good sized travel trailer, making it easier to accommodate our nomadic lifestyle.

But we will likely need to find a rental situation wherever we go...inexpensive apartment most likely.

At any rate (now that you know my life story!) I am curious about the Texas gulf coast. we still have friends and family in the state, and still have a lot of Texas in us as well.

There are many towns and regions in Texas I think we'd enjoy, but we really do have that pull to be near the beach.

Incidentally, we don't necessarily want to move to the biggest towns on the coast, but we'd probably be happier in a mid-sized town...not too huge and trafficky, but not a tiny bump in the road with no amenities either.

Can anyone suggest any towns on the gulf? Would love to hear from anyone with knowledge and experience along the coast there.

I very much appreciate any input, ideas, thoughts, advice, etc.

Thanks in advance. Have a great day!

[hound 109]

Jobs? Do you have them or will you need them?


I like Corpus.

It's a small city/big town with lots of amenities. Plus, less than 20 minutes from nice beaches. Corpus is over 50% Hispanic & over 50% working class. (which is OK with me, but others might prefer a town with more Starbucks and Whole Foods locations in them).

Can't swing a dead cat in that town without finding a good place to:
- eat Tex-Mex.
- eat Seafood
- or have a conversation with nice people.

Good luck.

[gabetx]

Corpus is nice. Honestly, it hasn't changed much from the 70's and 80's aside from a little bit of growth. So if you liked it back then, chances are you will like it now.

[eastontracks]

yeah corpus up towards the port a and rockport area are nice.

[Westerntraveler]

I agree that Corpus would be a good choice.

[DanielWayne]

I like Corpus, too. Also I live near Galveston. Now that is a mixed bag.

[cBach]

What issues is the Panhandle of Florida having with water supply? I believe the water issues are only in South Florida.

[madrone2k]

If Corpus were too big a town for you, i'd second the notion of checking out Rockport. It seems to draw a fair number of fishermen and retirees, plus 2nd homes for some. That makes me think it might be a bit more expensive than your typical Texas coastal town, but probably nicer than most and -- perhaps -- cheaper than places like Corpus or Galveston.

[Westerntraveler]

Originally Posted by madrone2k

If Corpus were too big a town for you, i'd second the notion of checking out Rockport. It seems to draw a fair number of fishermen and retirees, plus 2nd homes for some. That makes me think it might be a bit more expensive than your typical Texas coastal town, but probably nicer than most and -- perhaps -- cheaper than places like Corpus or Galveston.

Rockport is real nice.Its a kool town.I know from personal experience.

[CptnRn]

The Rockport/Fulton area on Aransas Bay is the prettiest part of the Texas coast and a very nice community. We kept our sailboat there for 3 years and still go back about once a year for a little vacation in the area.

My second choice would probably be Corpus Christi, but then you are getting into a large sprawling city with a lot more traffic.