Moving to Beaumont (Lumberton, Winnie, Bailey: new home, neighborhood, to buy)

[tstone]

Some thoughts: the "ocean" is a muddy-brown gulf. There are wetlands to the south of the area that are impassable. Sea Rim State Park and the roads down there were washed out in 2005. People here tell me that High Island is the closest, reasonable place to go to the beach. If you have a 4x4 and an interest in nudism, you can go about 5-6 miles east of High Island, after where Hwy 87 was destroyed.

Also the commute to Houston is on average 75-80 mins if you're cruising at 80 mph with no traffic. It's nearly 100 miles, more to the outer SW reaches of Houston. I drive it from the SE side every day and it's 90 miles one way. It's not really what I'd call a usual ''commute'' by any stretch of the imagination.

The prevailing winds here are from the S and SE, off the Gulf.

[edwar050]

BTW I learned in Alabama areas around cities that are country that are near larger cities like Houston and Beaumont often have huge growth rates, which is why I am surprised Winnie is not a lot larger.

[tstone]

There's a sign inside Winnie that says "Houston 64" for mileage. It really is in no-mans land. The 30-mile stretch along Hwy 73 between there and Port Arthur has absolutely nothing, not even a gas station.

[edwar050]

wow really surprising that the winds come out of the south and south east. I like to longboard and am looking forward to the water even if it sucks. I know what a muddy brown gulf is like, I used to live 5 minutes of Mobile bay... people who don't know how to enjoy it do not know what they are missing.. "great fishing, frisbee, barbecue, a great place to run/work out..." I checked out map quest to downtown houston from Fannet and it clocked it at 72 miles and a 1 hour 12 minute commute, which is why I was thinking about living on the south west side. Though I hear the commute is pretty lousy in Houston. Never the less if I get back into law enforcement I do believe I would find myself going to Houston pretty frequently, and it would make a weekend day trip pretty good vs 1 1/2 hours from lumberton. I am not claiming to have it figured out, we have been to Beaumont once and it was during the winter at night. Port Arthur was pretty rough, even by New Orleans standards.

[edwar050]

the only thing I don't know about in Fannet is the distance to get to places like Home Depot/Lowes the mall that are located in North West Beaumont... any ideas?

[tstone]

There is a lot of fishing here for sure, esp on Sabine Lake (brackish). And if you like birdwatching, it's also a great place. I've seen a pink flamingo... twice!!!

Fannett will save some drive time to Houston. I'd plan on about 2 hours on usual days each way, due to traffic of course. When the storms/floods hit the area or if there's an accident, add another 30-45 minutes. You can experience some absolutely brutal rainfall on that stretch of I-10. There is construction for 7-8 miles by the Trinity river, too... And it's a major transit zone so 18 wheeler traffic is fairly disproportionate. When there is an accident, it is usually grim, and can cause a 10 mile traffic jam. I've seen them but fortunately never been stuck in them.

Just some things to look out for.

Edit: ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-..._airstrips.pdf

Check page 7 for the prevailing winds in Texas.

[Watchful]

Originally Posted by edwar050

the only thing I don't know about in Fannet is the distance to get to places like Home Depot/Lowes the mall that are located in North West Beaumont... any ideas?

from the middle of the village of Fannett to Parkdale Mall shopping area comes up to 18 miles/19 minutes on Mapquest.

[southeasttexas]

Originally Posted by edwar050

BTW I learned in Alabama areas around cities that are country that are near larger cities like Houston and Beaumont often have huge growth rates, which is why I am surprised Winnie is not a lot larger.

The reason Winnie hasn't boomed is an infrastructure issue. Winnie is a good place, but the utilities only extend several blocks east and west of SH124, in general. In other words. you can readily buy pasture land, but if you want full services like gas and community water, you have to find a rare lot close in town.

[anl]

We live in Lumberton and debated moving to Fannett for a couple of years but ended up staying here. It depends on what kind of living you are looking for as to what will be the most important. Lumberton is definitely more modern with more neighborhoods. Fannett is more peaceful because it's more country. Both have great public schools. Lumberton has Wal-Mart, other grocery stores and many places to eat. If you live in fannett, you will have to shop in Beaumont or Nederland. The traffic in the mornings from Lumberton into Bmt is pretty bad. If you live on 96 (instead of 69), it's much better though. As for private schools, you will have to look in Bmt. Cathedral is a great school and they can start at 3. There is also All Saints, St. Anne's and St. Anthony's. I'm not sure which of those have a preschool program. Public schools in Beaumont are not the best though. Good luck and it's not horrible here!

[Rocket Power]

Please keep in mind that Lumberton is good so long as you're white. I really don't think most other people would feel very comfortable living there.

I'd check out Monsignor Kelly when it comes to schools in Beaumont.