Can Anybody who lives around Corpus Christi fill me in on what the area is like to live in. I'm thinking about moving to TX and am looking for some opinions on the area from people who actually live and work there. Also looking for some work opportunity's. Ive been to Corpus Christi a hand full of times but have never spent any real time there. Any insight and info would be helpful.

Well, I don't live there, as a matter of fact, I live almost as far from there as you can get and still be in Texas, at least going NE.

However, I've been there a few times, am actively considering buying a fishing camp/home in the general area so I can give you a couple of non-local observations.

First of all, it is either warm and humid, or hot and humid basically ALL the time except for a few weeks of cool and windy winter. The weather is nearly 100% the opposite of what you are used to in Montana. That may or may not be a good thing, depends on your preferences. Second, the population is very roughly 60% hispanic, and 30% caucasian, so there will be a cultural difference as well. Third, the terrain is flat or wet, take you choice. Fourth, there is essentially very little public land available so hunting becomes either a lease situation, or traveling a long ways to another western state. OTOH, salt water fishing is excellent and obviously close. There are many smaller communities and towns in the general area that personally I might prefer to live in but I'm not looking for a job.

Finally I don't know what your skill set is but Corpus has a fairly high employment rate and if you are able to work in the oil patch, the Eagle Ford drilling and many related jobs is not all that far away and they tend to pay quite well. Unlike the stereotype, it is hard to find a harder working group of people than the hispanics, so the lazy need not apply.

What specifically do you want to know ?
I've lived in CC for 22 yrs.
I moved here (by choice) when I left Houston.
People would ask, how is Corpus ? My answer, If you like the outdoors , It's great, otherwise, you would not like it !
Limited 'big city' activities , fine dining or professional job opportunity. I have even heard it described as a 'blue collar' town and 'the biggest 'town' in TX.
Courtesy of the TX oil boom, it is growing and expected to be the fastest growing city in TX over the next 20 yrs.
It has a majority Hispanic population (as most urban cities in TX) and votes demoncrat w/ few exceptions.
Hot & humid 7 months + of the year.
Flat & windy. Water shortages regularly.
Easy to get around most of the time w/ certain areas and times being difficult.
It is NOT a target rich environment for quality women.
Lots of new businesses and jobs in the oil field or trucking businesses.
If I knew what I know now 20 years ago, I would not live in CC proper, but in one of the communities close by. The shiity is a drain on the county and taxpayers. A sponge if you will.
In fact, I am trying to move out of the city itself.

There is no place like South Texas. Other than Tanzania, it is the greatest place on earth. I'm currently marooned in Houston, as I have been for the last 27 years, but I was born and raised on the Border in Brownsville. I want to move home, my Yankee wife doesn't. Corpus is a nice compromise.

Gato is absolutely correct on hunting; something that may be a bit foreign to you. But the fishing is spectacular.

Having grown up a minority where I lived, I don't find a majority Hispanic population a problem at all.

And, I disagree with Kensco about the women, but then, I've always been partial to dark hair and dark eyes, much to my parents' chagrin.

Can't see how you couldn't love Corpus Christi, unless there is a hurricane, but get used to that; that's what National Flood Insurance is for.

TK, not Kensco.

quote:

And, I disagree with Kensco about the women, but then, I've always been partial to dark hair and dark eyes, much to my parents' chagrin.

With the exception of some orientals, (I and Kensco are married to samples, but they vary..... , I can only speak for my loving wife) Mexican women seem, as a group to love the bedroom art more than most and practice it with ardor. Like some of my Q reviews, highly recommended.

'If I owned Texas and Hell I would rent out Texas and live in Hell' - General William Tecumseh Sherman.

You are a MORON!

This post reminded me of a trip to the Texas coast my family took when I was a kid.

We were actually at Port Aransas.

My dad stated one evening that when he retired, he was going to move here.

I thought it was because he liked the fishing...
He was big on fishing and hunting, as I am today...

However, I just had to ask why..

He replied, "Whiskey is cheaper here".

I do not know if that still applies... But it is something to consider.

wetdog

A few questions...

I was born and raised in Texas. IF you plan on moving here, I would look at the Coast as you have mentioned, and the Hill Country, and East Texas as well. I live in East Texas now.

However I have been to Montana over a dozen times on extended hunting trips.
Always in the area around Troy, Libby, and Eureka. I have also spent a lot of time in Idaho around Elk City. IF I was to move from Texas, I would go to one of the above areas.

So, I ask why do you want to move from Montana to Texas?

It would help me recommed what area[s] you might want to check out.

Thanks for the replies. The biggest reasons I'm looking at moving to the TX gulf coast is financial opportunity and the chance to be home more. I own a truck and trailer and in order to make a ok living I have to be gone 4-5 weeks at a time. Doesn't give me much time to have a life. Working in the patch I could be home most nights
I realize that my hunting would be a radical change from MT hopefully I would be able to afford a hunt lease. The humidity will be hard on a white boy from MT. Culturally I don't think I'll have a problem I've been everywhere in the USA and Canada and am open minded. I would definitely have a lot of fishing so that would be a big plus. My wife could easily move her dog grooming business there and do well. I am far more interested in living out of town but still be close to the water. Montana is a tuff state to make a living in. NW MT is a beautiful place to live and I will give up a lot by moving but I think I will gain a better financial future in TX and MT isn't going anywhere. I like working for myself but wouldn't be adverse to getting out of the truck.

Thanks for the info. And I welcome any advice and comments.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
wetdog

A few questions...

I was born and raised in Texas. IF you plan on moving here, I would look at the Coast as you have mentioned, and the Hill Country, and East Texas as well. I live in East Texas now.

However I have been to Montana over a dozen times on extended hunting trips.
Always in the area around Troy, Libby, and Eureka. I have also spent a lot of time in Idaho around Elk City. IF I was to move from Texas, I would go to one of the above areas.

So, I ask why do you want to move from Montana to Texas?

It would help me recommed what area[s] you might want to check out.

I live in Kalispell and have hunted those areas a lot kinda my back yard so to speak. My blood goes way back in MT and my wife's lines go back to the first trappers and settlers in the Kalispell area. I would love to be able to stay but I need to get off the road but I also would like to make a good living and retire some day. Hard to do in Kalispell.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
This post reminded me of a trip to the Texas coast my family took when I was a kid.

We were actually at Port Aransas.

My dad stated one evening that when he retired, he was going to move here.

I thought it was because he liked the fishing...
He was big on fishing and hunting, as I am today...

However, I just had to ask why..

He replied, "Whiskey is cheaper here".

I do not know if that still applies... But it is something to consider.

Cheap whiskey is a good thing

I think you can find a darn good paying job in the oil patch right now driving trucks or other positions if your skill set fits.

I'm not going into specifics because my thoughts might not match yours but if I was not going to HAVE to live in Corpus proper for job reasons, I would consider the numerous small communities in the area between Corpus and Rockport. In addition there are several smaller communities that are not on or near the water where property prices are significantly cheaper. If you're not actually on the water, whether you have to trailer a boat 5 minutes or 20 minutes to a launch is not that big of a deal AFA I am concerned. Of course you wife's grooming business would likely have more potential customers in Corpus.

I don't know what prices are like (and with the oil boom this might not work), but I would recommend picking an area and trying to rent for a while until you get your feet wet, so to speak.

I like Corpus and South Texas in general. It has changed alot since the Eagle Ford has been developed. Anyone in South Texas with real estate mineral rights is sitting mighty pretty. Fatcat makes good points, particularly this:

quote:

Unlike the stereotype, it is hard to find a harder working group of people than the Hispanics

I don't consider Corpus the heart of the oilfield, but be ready to pay through the nose, the closer you get to the action; Odessa, Victoria, etc. You'll be arriving late, so expect the cost of living to reflect the wages.

The key to coming out with something when the party is over, is to forget about all the toys; bikes, boats, gold chains, etc. and focus on saving some of that hard-earned cash. Most young men have their priorities flipped upside down and come out of a boom with what they went in with; not much. They've got payments on the double-wide, the Corvette, the Harley, the Skeeter, and when the boom ends, the last hired are the first fired; and the monthly payments are still staring you in the face.

That being said, if you're young, work hard, play it smart, you can build a pretty nice career for yourself and your family.

Good luck to you.

There is money in the oil patch,no doubt. My son is working in Midland + raking in the bucks;but it's one month on,2 weeks off.Can play hell on a marriage if she is not an understanding type. Fortunatly my daughter in law is.Another option is Hutto,right here in the heart,15 minutes from Austin. They are opening the new Tesla car plant + projected hireings are 6000.Also a GM plant projected in Austin in the near future. Beau coup of firearms related businesses moving here,most current in Colt's match rifle AR division mving to the panhandle from Oregon. Basically if you can't make it in Texas,you just are'nt trying.BTW,I'd shed that Corpus idea if I were you. Good luck Amigo.

quote:

With the exception of some orientals, (I and Kensco are married to samples, but they vary..... , I can only speak for my loving wife) Mexican women seem, as a group to love the bedroom art more than most and practice it with ardor. Like some of my Q reviews, highly recommended.

+1 Gato

wetdog

Baised on what you have stated, I would recommend you come to Texas, and check out "things" on the coast from Corpus to Galveston.

PS. On all of my trips to Montana, I never met anyone that was not friendly and helpful, you will get along fine "down" here...

quote:

Originally posted by Kensco:
I don't consider Corpus the heart of the oilfield, but be ready to pay through the nose, the closer you get to the action; Odessa, Victoria, etc. You'll be arriving late, so expect the cost of living to reflect the wages.

The key to coming out with something when the party is over, is to forget about all the toys; bikes, boats, gold chains, etc. and focus on saving some of that hard-earned cash. Most young men have their priorities flipped upside down and come out of a boom with what they went in with; not much. They've got payments on the double-wide, the Corvette, the Harley, the Skeeter, and when the boom ends, the last hired are the first fired; and the monthly payments are still staring you in the face.

That being said, if you're young, work hard, play it smart, you can build a pretty nice career for yourself and your family.

Good luck to you.

That's the funny thing about rig hands lots of toys but not a pot to piss in. Building a retirement is a big priority that's the only reason I'm considering a move. Ride the boom then get out with something left.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
wetdog

Baised on what you have stated, I would recommend you come to Texas, and check out "things" on the coast from Corpus to Galveston.

PS. On all of my trips to Montana, I never met anyone that was not friendly and helpful, you will get along fine "down" here...

I spend a lot of time trucking in TX and been to Corpus Christi a few times. I like most Texans I've met. I think I will go down for a few months this winter and do some local work. that way I can make a living , avoid winter, do some fishing that doesn't involve sitting on a bucket on a frozen lake and have a chance to get to know the area.

quote:

Originally posted by wetdog2084:

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
wetdog

Baised on what you have stated, I would recommend you come to Texas, and check out "things" on the coast from Corpus to Galveston.

PS. On all of my trips to Montana, I never met anyone that was not friendly and helpful, you will get along fine "down" here...

I spend a lot of time trucking in TX and been to Corpus Christi a few times. I like most Texans I've met. I think I will go down for a few months this winter and do some local work. that way I can make a living , avoid winter, do some fishing that doesn't involve sitting on a bucket on a frozen lake and have a chance to get to know the area.

Wetdog:

Good idea, but just so you'll know, "winter" down there is basically over, it may be windy, but the coastal fishing will be turning on by the day. Good luck.

Wetdog,

Winter is over here. You need to get ready for summer and that means 100 degree temperatures as early as June. But it's all good. It only snows every 20 years or so in Houston and only every 100 years or so in South Texas. Hurricanes only every few years, but that's not a problem unless you live on the coast.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Wetdog,

Winter is over here. You need to get ready for summer and that means 100 degree temperatures as early as June. But it's all good. It only snows every 20 years or so in Houston and only every 100 years or so in South Texas. Hurricanes only every few years, but that's not a problem unless you live on the coast.

I meant to say next winter but I'm sure I'll be running around Texas a lot this year sweating and cussing humidity.

quote:

wetdog2084: I spend a lot of time trucking in TX and been to Corpus Christi

Plenty of GOOD paying trucking jobs all over South Texas. Even the back roads can be hazardous with all the petro-related truck traffic. Another boom area is in West Texas around Midland-Odessa, San Angelo, etc, now the fastest growing metropolitan region in the USA with the workover of the Permian Basin, Wolf Sprayberry, as many as 10 layers of shale in some counties.

Wetdog,

Just saw where North Dakota was pleading for oilfield workers; same would have to apply for owner-operators hauling in the oilfields. Just a thought.