Galveston (Houston, League City, Texas City: condo, house, neighborhoods)

[laflood]

We are thinking about relocating from Washington State to the Galveston area late this year or early next. We are retired (mid-50's/early 60's), enjoy boating, fishing, gardening, movies, etc. I would love to hear from people about their feelings on Galveston. Standard of living, recreational opportunities, friendliness of people, living costs, weather (just how humid is it?). We would like to be as close to the water as possible so where should we concentrate our home search? Any info greatly appreciated! Thanks..........

[Vicman]

Okay - Housing is becoming expensive on the island. If you have a lot of money, you may buy a house or condo on the island. See: http://news.galvestondailynews.com/s...cba57d52dda271

If the island is not affordable, you may commute from nearby areas, such as League City, Texas City, and La Marque.

Use www.har.com to find properties. HAR.COM is a cool, cool tool!

[Guerilla]

League City would be the best option. Texas City is nice, but the homes generally don't go too far above $200,000. La Marque is the worst option. Texas City is nice, though, here are some photos:

[img]http://www.houstonfreeways.com/modern/images/2006-11-24_texas_city_d*i*k*e*/d*i*k*e*_aerial.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.houstonfreeways.com/modern/images/2006-11-24_texas_city_d*i*k*e*/IMG_2538_granite_blocks.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.houstonfreeways.com/modern/images/2006-11-24_texas_city_d*i*k*e*/IMG_2547_d*i*k*e*_road_near_beach_200611.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.houstonfreeways.com/modern/images/2006-11-24_texas_city_d*i*k*e*/IMG_2561_d*i*k*e*_texas_city_view_200611.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.houstonfreeways.com/modern/images/2006-11-24_texas_city_d*i*k*e*/IMG_2563_d*i*k*e*_curls_200611.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.houstonfreeways.com/modern/images/2006-11-24_texas_city_d*i*k*e*/IMG_2564_d*i*k*e*_nearing_land_200611.jpg[/img]

Those are six photos of the Texas City D*i*k*e*. It is a popular fishing area along Galveston Bay. It is about four miles long:

(Take out the * in between each letter.

[img]http://www.houstonfreeways.com/modern/images/2006-11-24_texas_city_d*i*k*e*/d*i*k*e*_map.png[/img]

[AK123]

Galveston would have most of those amenities. There are limited numbers of homes that are actually on the water (most are in neighborhoods a bit more inland, but may have views of the water). The weather is nice... doesn't get as hot or cold as inland Texas. There are lots of tourists during certain times of year.
You might also look at the Houston bay area (Clear Lake, League City, Kemah). The area is big on boating/fishing, has something like the 3rd largest number of pleasure boats in the country. It is probably 20 minutes inland from Galveston.
www.galveston.com
www.kemah.net
www.visitbayareahouston.com/aboutarea

[Trainwreck20]

The west end of Galveston (might be considered the south end, too) has lots of homes near the water. Of course, you are not behind the seawall anymore either. Many of the homes are built on the bay side with boat access to their property. This is not as pretty, but it solves one problem on the gulf side - whenever a storm 'moves' the beach, your house does not suddenly end up on the beach. If it does, it is condemned and torn down, since no construction is allowed on the beach.

[laflood]

Thanks for the info - we're not set on being "on" the water but I do want to be able to be near enough so as to be afforded the breeze off the gulf. I'm not a real hot weather kinda girl so anything I can do to offset that (w/o killer a/c bills) is a big plus. Is there ususally a breeze or is that just a figment of my imagination?

[Roma]

You said "I'm not a real hot weather kinda girl". Well then Galveston is not the place for you. It gets extremely hot and humid in the summer. There is no "cool breeze". I was there in August looking for a possible move for a gulf front property. I lasted one and a half days in Galveston. You need to go and visit.

[Guerilla]

The breeze from the Gulf is huge. What are you talking about?

[lifertexan]

I'm not a real hot weather kinda girl so anything I can do to offset that (w/o killer a/c bills) is a big plus. Is there ususally a breeze or is that just a figment of my imagination?

Like others have said,you better visit in the hottest part of summer before moving there.The humidity is unbearable for some people.I don't go much to Galvston,but in Port A,when you can get a tee time on the nicest golf courses in the summer because the heat and humidity are unbearable,you know it is bad.Golfers usually will put up with anything to get on great golf courses.And no breeze is going to help keep you cool.

The breeze from the Gulf is huge. What are you talking about?

I can only assume this is made tongue in cheek.

[Guerilla]

It isn't. We had an RV and went to the west side of the island on this beach where a bunch of other RV's were. The place was windy. Little plastic plates were flying everywhere. There was a strong breeze. I almost feel it whenever I am in Galveston. It just depends on what side you are on.