what do you think Victoria or Ennis (Dallas, Corpus Christi: low crime, homes)

[iowamama26]

my family is relocating to tx. we have narrowed it down to Ennis or Victoria. any suggestions? Where is the best place to raise children?

[Muhnay]

I don't really know anything about ENNIS, other than its location near Dallas/Fortworth. What I have seen online it looks like a really nice place.

Ennis, Texas

Ennis, Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Victoria is a nice place. I have been though there a couple times and found it pleasant, and I also have much respect for a community that comes together like they did with the hispanic chamber and chamber of commerce came together as one. Besides the gulf-coast is not far away for a weekend of fun.

http://www.victoriatexasinfo.com/

http://www.victoriatx.org/

[txsizzler]

I have been through Ennis a few times. It is a nice diversion from the DFW metroplex, yet close enough for convienence factors. I like Victoria too, with its old town charm, and its proximity to the coast. Victoria has the superior climate too, in my opinion. Much milder winters, and the Gulf effect in the summer with sea breezes and afternoon thundershowers to cool it down some.

Either way, each city has its pros and cons. Hope that helps.

Ian

[iowamama26]

Thank you Muhnay and txsizzler. We are leaning more too Victoria. Thank you for the links Muhnay. I found them very helpfull. I am all for mild winters. lol. Today here in Humboldt IA it is -45. School has been cancelled all week due to blizzards and below zero temps. Brrr. Thank you both for your time. Have a nice day

[Muhnay]

Your welcome.. good luck on your move. Please update us once you get settled and let us know where you ended up and what your thoughts are.. that way people after you will have an idea.

[NeedAVacation]

I grew up in Victoria, and my parents still live there. I don't remember any 'sea breezes' and few afternoon thundershowers. More often than not, there's a drought and everyone is praying for rain! The winters are mild, but the humidity is fierce!! It's very hot and humid in the summer, but I don't know that conditions would be any better in Ennis. I'm not familiar with that area, so I can't offer any advice. There are some charming, old homes in Old Victoria. It's definately not an exciting place to live, but the cost of living is low. In my opinion, the best thing about Victoria is the people. There are a lot of good, friendly people in Victoria.

Iowamama26, how did you narrow it down to these two cities? It would help to have more specific ideas of what you're looking for in a new area. Then those familiar with the two could offer better advice.

[txsizzler]

There is a bit of a "sea breeze" effect, as the prevailing winds are SE/S, from the gulf. Obviously, it is more prounouced around Port Lavaca and what not. Because of this, the temperatures stay cooler than what you would have in lets say, Beeville.

As far as the afternoon thundershowers, it is a real thing. You can look up the NWS web site for Corpus Christi, and you can see during the summer there are alot of popcorn variety thundershowers there in the afternoons. I will agree with you that it is very humid there though, and prior to the shower activity, it is hot. But, what places in Texas aren't hot and humid, besides the far western parts of the state?


Ian

[iowamama26]

Ok. I am all over the place. I don't know where I am going to move in TX. I plan on visiting there in July. I am looking for low crime rate, good schools and affordable cost of living. The towns I have seen pics of online look really beautiful. I have read everyones opinions and they are great. I think I am going to have to visit a lot of towns before I can make my choice. I like what I am hearing about these different towns/cities. I speak fluent spanish so that won't be an issue for me. I am looking for the safest place to raise my kids. Ennis has highly rated schools. My best friend is moving to Mesquite in Sept. but that is WAY to big for me. So I am wanting to stay in the area. Please keep sending me what you think as I haven't for sure set in stone where I am going to move...

[NeedAVacation]

Iowamama26,

You should definately visit before you decide. Looking at photos online won't give you a true idea of what an area really looks or feels like. Photos posted on city tourism sites are really only going to show the most photgenic spots. It's called P.R.! I'm sure your visit will help you decide. Visiting in July will give you a good idea of the heat, though August is usually the worst month.

Victoria is about a 5 to 6 hour drive from the Dallas area, so you won't be close to your friend if you choose Victoria.

Here's a link to an August 2008 article in the Victoria Advocate about the TAKS scores for the area: Victoria Advocate - Scores higher. If you search the paper's website, you might be able to find out more about the schools.

If you're looking for "beautiful", you might check some of the small towns in the Hill Country or East Texas.

txsizzler, You're correct that you'll often see thunderstorms on radar, but not everything that shows up on radar actually hits the ground. I don't know how many times I've called my parents thinking they might finally have gotten some rain and the answer is, "We heard thunder but didn't get a drop!". (And they call us asking if it's snowing because the radar shows lots of 'blue' over us, but it's merely overcast or we've only had a few flurries.) It seems like in that part of the state, there's either a drought or it's flooding.

Which reminds me, Iowamama26, if you do decide on Victoria, be sure to check the flood zones before you decide where to live. When there is a lot of rain, the Guadalupe River, Coletto Creek, and other little creeks do flood.

Good luck with your decision!

[Metro Matt]

Victoria because its close to the coast.