How About Galveston ?? (Port Lavaca, Port Aransas, Tiki Island: rent, house, buy)

[Trainwreck20]

Kroger's was the main grocery store on the island, IIRC. If you haven't been to one before, they are pretty nice stores. There are a couple of small, local grocers here and there. If you are looking for slightly better prices, it is a pretty quick drive up I-45 to other places.

Radio and TV are all out of Houston, I think...I didn't bring a TV, so I am not positive about that, though.

The Australian guy has been living there for something like 20 years. I can't remember his name, though. He lived right down the street, and he would wander in sometime before WOF and drink beer until he went home around midnight or so, and had apparently been doing that since before any of the current customers could remember.

Oh, yeah, there are palm trees. There are some simply amazing gardens in some yards...everything grows there...no freezes, lots of rain and sunshine....

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by 6 FOOT 3

I appreciate all the info reciently about Port Lavaca and Freeport from some of the people on here and again thankyou !!

The last place i'm now looking at is Galveston as it's right on the water.......6/3

You and my sister would get along well....LOL!! She is the beach bum of the family, and is headed for Rockport next week for a vacation. She usually goes a couple of times a year (she lives south of Austin).

Galveston is a neat place to visit, and some of the architecture/neighborhoods are quite fascinating, as is the history of the area.

One suggestion, if I may....

Since you are taking a year off (good for you!!)....why not check out all the coastal areas in TX? I like South Padre Island (as much as I could any beach, since I am so not a beach person) pretty well, and all of it is neat to visit.

Hope you find some peace and whatever you're looking for, Harry!

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

You and my sister would get along well....LOL!! She is the beach bum of the family, and is headed for Rockport next week for a vacation. She usually goes a couple of times a year (she lives south of Austin).

Galveston is a neat place to visit, and some of the architecture/neighborhoods are quite fascinating, as is the history of the area.

One suggestion, if I may....

Since you are taking a year off (good for you!!)....why not check out all the coastal areas in TX? I like South Padre Island (as much as I could any beach, since I am so not a beach person) pretty well, and all of it is neat to visit.

Hope you find some peace and whatever you're looking for, Harry!

Hi and thanks Cathy !! Well i have looked at the entire coast line but i want to be right next to the water say 10 minutes or so. If i live at Brownsville or Corpus for this next year or whatever i decide i'll have to drive thru the city then over and across the bridge onto the south island or any other part as gasoline is getting up to $4.00 a gallon where as in Freeport or Galveston i'm right next to the water as i just want to walk out of my apt and walk on over to the water. If i live on the island like south padre i'd think the hotel prices would be expensive...

This morning it was 36 as i can't take this 7 months of cold mornings out of the year here in ABQ as i feel like i'm in Colorado or Utah as i dislike Northern NM and yet really care for Southern NM as it's totally different between thoise areas. If i was married id have a couple of Lab Retrievers and some Enduro Motorcycles and me my wife would cruise the trails in the sacramento's there or go camping with our dogs etc...But since i'm not i need to get to the beaches as where thats great for a single person who just needs to get away from it all for a while.

Thanks again as you've always been good people over in the New Mexico and West Texas forums

To TrainWreck.... o.k. it's Kroger's .... thanks !!!

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by 6 FOOT 3

Hi and thanks Cathy !! Well i have looked at the entire coast line but i want to be right next to the water say 10 minutes or so.....

This morning it was 36 as i can't take this 7 months of cold mornings out of the year here in ABQ as i feel like i'm in Colorado or Utah as i dislike Northern NM and yet really care for Southern NM as it's totally different between thoise areas.....

Oook, I see what you mean. You want the beach in your face, just like my Sis does. She may move down there at some point, when the time is right, and she decides WHERE. She likes Rockport a lot, but also Port A, etc. I haven't been to the beach since Galveston in '91. You won't have to worry about really cold weather down there, either.

As for me, it was down to 36 here Tues night also, and I love that cold snap in the morning when I go out to get my paper...and I love northern NM and the Four Corners area. But ABQ is not for me, as it is just too dang big.....and too many people. That is what is wrong with so much of TX now too......it's growing so fast, and not for the better, as far as I'm concerned. If I ever go back to TX to live, it will most likely be Alpine/Ft Davis/Marfa....unless that area is pretty well ruined/overrun by then.

The winters here in Alamo are GREAT...but I can tell I am probably going to hate summers here...and I'm just going to have to suck it up...and enjoy the fact that it is dry....and that the nights DO cool off quite a bit.

Well, have fun, Harry, and do let us hear about your adventures--wherever you end up--ok??

You have been a big help to me also, in helping me make my decision. I left a life behind, too, and I have NO regrets at all!

There is a sense of contentment in these Sacramento mountains for me....

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Well, have fun, Harry, and do let us hear about your adventures--wherever you end up--ok??

You have been a big help to me also, in helping me make my decision. I left a life behind, too, and I have NO regrets at all!

There is a sense of contentment in these Sacramento mountains for me....

Cathy you remind me alot of my sister as your just down to earth and confortable to chat with. All guys are crazy about their sisters...lol...

Well my lease is up in 90 days and if i leave early they'll give me a lease termination penalty of $750 and although that really won't hurt still it's like lighting on fire $750 dollars out of your pocket but that being said i may go sooner anyway so we'll see.

If and when i go and get there it will probably be a few weeks or months before i get back online as i'm gonna be lost out on the beaches and drinking Pina Coladas or Seltzer Water (non alchohol) and unwind but i will get back online so to see what's going on and will report in...lol...

The Sacramento mountains are very special to me also Cathy and just because i'm leaving for 6 months or 1 year etc....i could always come back as Alamogordo and Las Cruces is growing with people and jobs and also the air force base too. I could go out there to Galveston or Florida and hate it in 6 months and head back or wind up loving it and staying forever but we just don't know what life has instore for us and what better time in my life under these current circumstances than to travel and enjoy as i'd hate to be 70 y/o and have regrets that i didn't even try as life is short so take Intelligent chances and i think all will be o.k.

When i do leave i'll drop a DM to all the close people i've known and enjoyed on City Data over these last 1 1/2 i've been a memeber just so you all know what's happening.

Take to ya soon....
harry (6/3)

[Cathy4017]

The Sacramento mountains are very special to me also Cathy and just because i'm leaving for 6 months or 1 year etc....i could always come back as Alamogordo and Las Cruces is growing with people and jobs and also the air force base too. I could go out there to Galveston or Florida and hate it in 6 months and head back or wind up loving it and staying forever but we just don't know what life has instore for us and what better time in my life under these current circumstances than to travel and enjoy as i'd hate to be 70 y/o and have regrets that i didn't even try as life is short so take Intelligent chances and i think all will be o.k.

I very much agree, Harry......you never know. I lied...I do have ONE regret, and that is having taken so long to make the move, explore, get out of my rut, et al...

It WILL most likely work out just fine, whatever decision you end up making......staying in TX, going on to FL, or coming back west. The lesson I did learn was that life is too, too danged short to be where you really don't want to be.

So! GO FOR IT. Have a good time, explore, enjoy your new adventures...and make the most of it!

[6 FOOT 3]

TrainWreck and Buffy....i just wanted to say thanks for all the info as you both have been there and i value that knowledge you both have. I have found some motel/kitchenettes for about $500 a month and that includes all utilities and no deposits and right next to the water. I checked online and see they have a Bank of America who i bank with and also a Krogers and HEB for grocery stores and also they have an YMCA and other Health Clubs and a Texas MVD office there. I really do like small cities/towns and also right on the beaches at reasonable prices so i'm really fired up.

I seen some cool photos of the large Pyramids there which are the Rainforest Gardens as they really look cool and also they have a smaller version of the Schlitterbahn Water Park like the awesome one in San Antonio although this one is smaller. Do you guys know where they would sell Beach Umbrellas and Chairs...i guess at any Walmart or Target stores etc...that are out there.

The only thing i have to figure out is how to contact the IRS as i just sent out my tax returns for 2007 and have a $600 rebate coming so if i leave it will probably come here. So i'm going to really think and ponder this weekend as to whether i'm going to break my lease and be charged $750 in penalties plus lose my $200 deposit by not serving it out utill july or suffer for 3 months and stay and then when my lease is up get my deposits and no penalties so decisions decisions.....

6/3

[buffy888]

You should be able to get the beach chairs/umbrellas at Walmart (which is on Seawall) or Target (it's where the old Galvez Mall used to be - at 61st & Broadway-ish)... There's also a Pier One near Target - they could possibly have them there,too. Oh, also maybe Academy (on Seawall where the old Kroger used to be). There are several places that rent them once summer picks up - not sure if they also sell them or not.

Grocery stores - There isn't really a main grocery store on the island - there are actually quite a few options for such a small city. The Kroger is nice. There is also a Randall's, an HEB Pantry (smaller than a regular HEB), Super Wal-mart, and Arlan's. If you will be on or near the east end, which I am thinking you would be with a motel/kitchenette-type place, Arlan's would be the closest - but none of them would really be overly far. Lowest prices are generally at Arlan's, HEB Pantry (but not as much selection there, I don't think), and Super Wal-mart (ugh - never went there unless I had to), but some specialty ingredients are more likely found at Kroger or Randall's.

[Isle_Gal]

I just came across your post ... you will love it here in Galveston. I truly believe that based on one's place in life, the island is ideal for some and not so great for others. You - a single guy undergoing a year-long mid-life hiatus - may decide never to leave. The weather is wonderful, when the wind blows just right the water is a lovely teal blue color, the people-watching is always great, the hang-outs are plenty, the cost-of-living is low ... there are plenty of interesting characters milling about, you are sure to find your niche. Best of luck to you.

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by Isle_Gal

I just came across your post ... you will love it here in Galveston. I truly believe that based on one's place in life, the island is ideal for some and not so great for others. You - a single guy undergoing a year-long mid-life hiatus - may decide never to leave. The weather is wonderful, when the wind blows just right the water is a lovely teal blue color, the people-watching is always great, the hang-outs are plenty, the cost-of-living is low ... there are plenty of interesting characters milling about, you are sure to find your niche. Best of luck to you.

Just a great post and thanks Isle_Gal...I really need this sabbatical and just chill after the last high stress 13 years so i'm excited and thanks again !!

6/3