Port Lavaca or Victoria? Relocation - HELP! (Houston, McAllen: low income, cheap apartments)

[onthemove8]

We are a family of five probably relocating to Port Lavaca or the Victoria area this summer from the midwest. Most important for us are good schools, safety and a short commute for hubby's new job in Seadrift. (gas prices - ugh!)

What can you tell me about those areas? Anything would be great. We are coming from a super community of 40,000. A smaller town is okay if there are some things to do and shopping close (grocery). One son is into soccer and Boy Scouts.

We are leaning towards Port Lavaca right now but know VERY little.

Anything would be appreciated! Thanks!!

[eastontracks]

well i grew up in victoria, and id recommend it over port lavaca. port lavaca is too small, and victoria pretty much has everything youd need. you're coming from a 40,000 community... i think port lavaca has 15,000 less people living there. it seems like victoria is still taking approaches in making the city grow.

i think the crime and overall sense of security is better in victoria, although both have their fair share of thugs, lol.

if you have any further detailed questions about the city of victoria, let me know.

[onthemove8]

Thank you eastontracks!

We will be coming down to visit the area soon, any place you would suggest us seeing to help us decide good neighborhoods, things for a family to do, etc. What impresses you most about Victoria? What don't you like?

Any comments on the public schools?

Anything you would like to share I will consider. Thanks!!

[hellpaso]

i would certainly try to avoid port lavaca if at all possible. for any major shopping needs, you would have to drive to victoria, anyway. the majority of the population in port lavaca is low income factory workers, so there are a lot of trailers and cheap apartments. my friend had a job offer there and refused it after visiting the area.

[onthemove8]

Thanks for the info ... anybody else like to share about the schools, area, what we should check out when we visit soon? Looks to be very hot - guess we can compare ohio and texas weather in june.

Victoria here we come ...

[Kaye from Ohio]

If I were you, I would choose a home in Seadrift where your husband works. A job is a daily necessity, and it is important to be close to the place of employment. Commuting from one town to another can be costly in terms of high gas prices and car repairs. Also, commuting can mean another hour or two per day on the road, and this cuts into family time and leisure activities.

Furthermore, a family could find a rural home with a well and septic system, and this would save a great deal on utilities. Also, property taxes and other expenses should be less in a smaller community.

As for shopping, a family can get the basics in a small town and then shop in the city once a week or every other week. A couple shopping trips per month are much cheaper than commuting the same distance to work every day.

My aunt and uncle had a retirement home in Port Lavaca and really loved it. My husband and I lived in Houston for four years and liked it, but we are used to a small town now. If I could move back to Texas, I would do so in a minute as the winters are getting colder here in the Midwest. Please let me know how your choice of location works out for you. Please reply to my email: Sheila_Beers@hotmail.com.

[algaro37]

Originally Posted by Kaye from Ohio

If I were you, I would choose a home in Seadrift where your husband works. A job is a daily necessity, and it is important to be close to the place of employment. Commuting from one town to another can be costly in terms of high gas prices and car repairs. Also, commuting can mean another hour or two per day on the road, and this cuts into family time and leisure activities.

Furthermore, a family could find a rural home with a well and septic system, and this would save a great deal on utilities. Also, property taxes and other expenses should be less in a smaller community.

As for shopping, a family can get the basics in a small town and then shop in the city once a week or every other week. A couple shopping trips per month are much cheaper than commuting the same distance to work every day.

My aunt and uncle had a retirement home in Port Lavaca and really loved it. My husband and I lived in Houston for four years and liked it, but we are used to a small town now. If I could move back to Texas, I would do so in a minute as the winters are getting colder here in the Midwest. Please let me know how your choice of location works out for you. Please reply to my email: Sheila_Beers@hotmail.com.

I don't think the reasons for not choosing to live in Victoria justify moving to a town that is much smaller (population 1,500) with very little to offer in the way of activities. She mentioned that her boys like to play soccer, Seadrift does not have a very diverse athletic league for children (not even sure they have one). I don't think she would find any of that, especially after taking an almost 97% reduction in population size.

Also, Seadrift is a 30-40 mile drive from Victoria, this would take 15-25 minutes? Even roundtrip this cuts into the day, at most, an hour.

What "basics" could be found in Seadrift? There is no department store or grocery store, so this would require, at least, weekly trips to Victoria and limit choices during the week to what's in the pantry.

I could go on on the benefits that Victoria has over Seadrift, but I think it's clearly evident.

[eastontracks]

Originally Posted by algaro37

I don't think the reasons for not choosing to live in Victoria justify moving to a town that is much smaller (population 1,500) with very little to offer in the way of activities. She mentioned that her boys like to play soccer, Seadrift does not have a very diverse athletic league for children (not even sure they have one). I don't think she would find any of that, especially after taking an almost 97% reduction in population size.

Also, Seadrift is a 30-40 mile drive from Victoria, this would take 15-25 minutes? Even roundtrip this cuts into the day, at most, an hour.

What "basics" could be found in Seadrift? There is no department store or grocery store, so this would require, at least, weekly trips to Victoria and limit choices during the week to what's in the pantry.

I could go on on the benefits that Victoria has over Seadrift, but I think it's clearly evident.

exactly. choosing to live in seadrift would be a horrible idea. that was bad advice. in larger cities, people spend at least an hour of their day getting to and from work often times. this would not be a big deal.

[bamba_boy]

Also, Victoria (by the way a very pretty city for it's size with a beautiful historic district of Victorian houses) will put you in much better stead in the event of a hurricane than Pt Lavaca nearly at sea level. In TX it's better to be NEAR the coast than ON the coast.

[letitride5]

Originally Posted by hellpaso

i would certainly try to avoid port lavaca if at all possible. for any major shopping needs, you would have to drive to victoria, anyway. the majority of the population in port lavaca is low income factory workers, so there are a lot of trailers and cheap apartments. my friend had a job offer there and refused it after visiting the area.

And this coming from a person living in the hell hole called McAllen?