How About Galveston ?? (Houston, San Antonio, Austin: apartments, rentals, lofts)

[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. I was reading their newspaper (online version) and i see 1 br apartments for $700 to $800 a month and also less expensive from $400 to $500 a month. I don't want to live in a rich location as most coastal cities are but not in a ghetto high crime area either.

As i'm taking a year off to live by the ocean and live off my savings and to just reflect about life as i'd say im not in a ''Mid life crises'' but more a ''Mid life reflection'' as at 43 y/o i just want to go somewhere and just drink Pina Coladas and swim on the surf and get super tanned for a year (meet the girl of my dreams...lol...) etc....so any thoughts on Galveston??

It's either Galveston or Freeport Texas or just head back to Jacksonville, Florida where i've lived a good portion of my life.

Thanks again to all who answer !

6/3

[Trainwreck20]

I lived on Galveston for about a year and a half (probably 8 years ago, now?). It is a very interesting place. It is definitely the most city like of the three in appearance, but it also very much has an island feel to it, as well. I really liked it for the year or so that I was there, but wouldn't personally want to live there long term.

Some comments on the island:

• There is no zoning, and the well-to-do and run-down areas sort of mix. There are enclaves of nice homes that actually have a small wall around the neighborhood to separate them from the rest of the world, and there is only access via the main street.
• The architecture is a breath of fresh air if you are tired of modern or tilt-wall construction.
• The sea wall is a very pleasant bike ride or walk, I rode it on a regular basis. Make sure to stop and read all the plaques eventually.
• The Tourism is bad on certain days, and a little bit of a pain all summer, but the rest of the year (labor to memorial) it is very sparse. If you stay off of Sea Wall Blvd or Broadway, you miss most of the tourist traffic.
• There are several distinct groups of people on the island:
  1. The regular long-term residents. They hold regular jobs (usually inland) or are retired. They pretty much keep to themselves.
  2. The students. They tend to congregate on the east end of the city and party at places like Molly's.
  3. The castaway's. These are people that have come from all over the US or the world because they hate the cold and/or like the ocean. They generally do not have much money (usually under-employed by choice or retired) and they like alcohol. You can find them are one of a multitude of bars, the one I liked was O'Mally's (across the street from Molly's).
• I rode my bike quite a few places (day and night), and never felt really threatened, but I know that there are some areas I would not feel safe after dark.

[case44]

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. I was reading their newspaper (online version) and i see 1 br apartments for $700 to $800 a month and also less expensive from $400 to $500 a month. I don't want to live in a rich location as most coastal cities are but not in a ghetto high crime area either.

As i'm taking a year off to live by the ocean and live off my savings and to just reflect about life as i'd say im not in a ''Mid life crises'' but more a ''Mid life reflection'' as at 43 y/o i just want to go somewhere and just drink Pina Coladas and swim on the surf and get super tanned for a year (meet the girl of my dreams...lol...) etc....so any thoughts on Galveston??

It's either Galveston or Freeport Texas or just head back to Jacksonville, Florida where i've lived a good portion of my life.

Thanks again to all who answer !

6/3

The better bet for you would be Galveston. If you'd like, try Tiki Island. It's off I-45 at mile marker 4, and there are lines of homes (some of them are probably weekend retreats and others, residences) along the island. For a change of pace, you might consider that.

[6 FOOT 3]

Thanks Trainwreck as O'mallys sounds cool. I got on the Galveston CVB site and there are some awesome photos and what not. Even has a large water park like the one in San Antonio although the Ocean is my main concern.

Since you were there 1 1/2 years sounds like you know what time it is so to speak as far as Galveston goes. Don't know you age and not asking or not anyones business but from what i'm kinda going for as i stated earlier and from what you remember of Galveston you think i'm doing the right thing to go there and check it out since i'm heading from the west from Albuquerque anyway to either there or Jacksonville which is another 1,000 miles east.

Anyway again thanks as always Trainwreck as i respect you knowlege and advice as you have been a member on City Data a long time as i myself have been...

Later !! 6/3

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by case44

The better bet for you would be Galveston. If you'd like, try Tiki Island. It's off I-45 at mile marker 4, and there are lines of homes (some of them are probably weekend retreats and others, residences) along the island. For a change of pace, you might consider that.

Thanks for the info Case......i'll look up Tiki Island on the net and see what i get. Always enjoy seeing ya over in the New Mexico forums...

[buffy888]

It sounds like you are looking to rent. I don't recall apartments by Tiki Island itself, although there might be rental houses. One negative to Tiki Island is that it's across the causeway - not that big of a deal, but it just makes you feel separated from Galveston (this is according to a few friends who lived there growing up).

If you are renting, there is a variety of options available. There are some nice apartments, but there are also a lot of duplexes or small homes for rent that are fairly reasonable. Some of the duplex/house rentals are listed in the paper or online, but you can usually find more just by driving around town - a lot of them are rented out by individuals rather than companies. I lived in Galveston for almost 6 years and, at various times, lived in an apartment, a duplex, and a house (all were rentals because I never planned on living on the island that long - with the price of many homes on the island now, I wish I had been wise enough to buy a house back then instead). I preferred the house just because I don't like living in an apartment, but it's just personal preference.

My husband's family still lives in Galveston and we visit several times a year. I agree with most of trainwreck's comments, especially the one about the various conditions of houses that you might see next to or near each other. On one two- to three-block stretch of street, you might have several well-kept (and some beautiful) homes, some okay homes, and a few that are ramshackle, then a couple of nice ones, then ramshackle, then... It does take some getting used to for some people, but you sound laid back enough like it wouldn't really bother you. I will say that every local I know (BOI = "born on island" - there are even people who have BOI necklaces - don't get me started on that!) works (or worked) on the island. I know people at many different levels of jobs/careers and not one works inland.

We personally would not live in Galveston again (and my husband is a BOI) for a plethora of personal reasons, but I think it sounds like it might be a good fit for you for a year or so. It is laid back, people are definitely NOT in a rush, there are many wonderful restaurants, you will find your own special beach spot (and a backup for when those darned tourists find it, too), people are generally friendly, you will meet many characters...

If you are looking for more input, I would suggest going to the galveston.com website and looking through the Message Boards. There are a lively bunch of locals who frequent the boards and can give you advice, personal experiences, etc. You might want to poke through the various forums, but the For Locals one might be the best place if you have a specific question.

Good luck with your choice. Being able to take a year off to live by the Gulf sounds wonderful.

[6 FOOT 3]

Wow Buffy ......thanks for the great advice and all. That's exectly what i'm looking for in a place that's laid back and i want nothing fancy and duplexess or small studio's for just a place to crash out and shower...lol...would be fine as have never been the ''Material Silver Spoon'' type of person even though i made pretty good money as a tradesman and SAVED it

I had a great life as a kid in the 70's and my Navy adventures and all the fun playing in a Power Rock band and traveling the country back in the 80's and early 90's and seeing my family members and now how life has just Dragged these last 10 years or so. Plus losing my close Sister 5 years ago to death (too young) still affects me and over this past year breaking up with my long time Girl has me needing a change bad and to live and do something different for a while as i've always Recharged when at the Ocean and the hot sun tanning my anglo skin dark ...lol...

Again i'll check out the info online that you gave including their Message Board and nice to know that there good people out there.

Lastly would someone know who the Electrical/Utility company is out there. I have the Drivers License and Auto tag web site incase i ever decided to stay there although only time will tell.

Be Well and thanks again Buffy
6/3

[buffy888]

Electric used to be Reliant - not sure if it still is. Here's a page on the city's website for new residents which should have that type of info: City of Galveston, Texas - New Residents/Moving

[Trainwreck20]

If you are single (which it sounds like you are ) and low-maintenance (also sounds like the case) and you like to do any pub-crawling or prowling, I would look at the little houses/apartments/lofts downtown. They are, for the most part, quite run-down, but at least some of them are water-tight when it rains. They are small and old, and are (were) only expensive if you thought about how little you were really getting . I rented an apartment. I forget the name, but it is the old marine hospital converted and added-on to, think it was Ave. N or N and 1/2....yes, there was a 1/2 N, whatever that is .

It is kinda funny, since I am apparently within about a year of your age and, I am guessing, exactly your height . I really enjoyed the year down there, but, again, that is about the right length of time. If you are a people person and like shooting the, um, breeze, with random people, you will enjoy some of the local bars. I kind of fell in with the local hispanic crowd and had a great time. Speaking spanish will get you some 'discounts' on some of the many services that are run by the local hispanic community, but it is far from any kind of requirement. Cadillac bar is gone, though, I think, which was one of the places I ate on a regular basis.

Anyway, I am guessing you would like Galveston. I did date a girl down there for about 6 months, but as far as dating...there are a lot of available, but as far as quality goes...hmmm.... I had forgotten the BOI term. You will probably not run into a lot of BOI to date. On a side not, I did meet my future wife while I was living down there...I just met her in Austin on a trip home .

If you run into an old Australian retiree (thin he was a merchant marine) watching Wheel of Fortune at O'Mally's every night, tell 'em hi! If you don't see him for two or (gasp!) three nights in a row, he is probably dead....

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

If you run into an old Australian retiree (thin he was a merchant marine) watching Wheel of Fortune at O'Mally's every night, tell 'em hi! If you don't see him for two or (gasp!) three nights in a row, he is probably dead....

LOL...got me laughing at that one

Everything you stated sounds like it will be great for me. Anyway again i'm just need a change and if it turned out i didn't like it then i can always head to Jacksonville as i do love Eastern Florida all along the coast but the prices are gettng ridiculious. I saw that studio Kitchennettes in Daytona are going for $250 plus tax a week which is over $1,000 a month as i'm not going to pay that kind of price(s)

I checked and seen that there are health gyms so i can continue to lift weights as that is important to me no matter where i live. Are the main Grocery Stores HEB?? Although i'm not much a tv person are the main national/local news channels out of Houston as i assume most the radio stations are. I see they have some good rock and 80's radio station outta Houston.

Thanks as always TrainWreck......
6/3

P.S. I assume there are Palm Trees there??