Need Thoughts regarding Retirement on the Texas Gulf Coast

[1911hombre]

I semi-retired in September 2021, as in retired from 60 hour weeks at UPS. I immediately started working two days a week in a LGS just to keep a little structure in my life, etc. At some time in the future, I'm going to fly the coop and GTFO of Minnesota for any and all reasons. My wife has always wanted to live near the ocean, and I've got a soft spot for Texas. The Gulf Coast of Texas has our eye; what say you who know? I know property tax is high but that won't apply here as I'm a T&P disabled vet. Thanks in advance for your ideas!

 

[Aftermath]

Sprickin ze espanola?
Enjoy DEET?
Into hitting the hurricane surge?

 

[Maggot]

They call Corpus Christi The Sparkling City by the Sea.

Small city but big enough to have most of what you want, Excellent fishing and Padre Island has nice beaches. Be ready for culture shock. On the down side, like any warm coastal town, lots of cockroaches and lots of mosquitos. And scorpions. Its clean and well run for the most part.

 

[UKDslayer]

Worst part of Texas. Blue. and Corrupt AF.

 

[1911hombre]

They call Corpus Christi The Sparkling City by the Sea.

Small city but big enough to have most of what you want, Excellent fishing and Padre Island has nice beaches. Be ready for culture shock. On the down side, like any warm coastal town, lots of cockroaches and lots of mosquitos. And scorpions. Its clean and well run for the most part.

Yup, I should've prefaced my post by saying I have lived in Austin, San Antonio, and Lubbock, but a long time ago. So I'm not a stranger to Texas. in general.

 

[babyguppy]

Don't forget to bring a Generator and fuel.

 

[acudaowner]

Id be happy to retire in any still free american city that is not controled by retards from the socialist democratic pro crime party .

 

[Docsherm]

Texas Sucks, Nobody should move here..........

 

[Maggot]

Yup, I should've prefaced my post by saying I have lived in Austin, San Antonio, and Lubbock, but a long time ago. So I'm not a stranger to Texas. in general.

Corpus is probably politically closer to Lubbock than Austin or SA. Big Naval Air Station. Austin is a good place to avoid and SA is too large.

 

[mosin46]

several in FL fit. some don't.

 

[1911hombre]

Worst part of Texas. Blue. and Corrupt AF.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

One word...Hurricanes.

Oh wait, Mosquitos.

Wait, Tornados.

Oh damn, forgot another one, Stifling heat.

But...even with all that, I wouldn't change living in the South for anything.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

Most people in civilized states would prefer you stayed in the mess you made. If you have to move, stop voting for Democrats once you cross the state line to the place you are fleeing.

I've got friends on Corpus Christi and it is kind of nice. Texas has no income tax so other taxes are higher than you might expect. Places with a lot of retirees usually smell like mold and decomposing old people. Florida is basically mildew and chlamydia with thieves and pick pockets. Anyone not retirement age moves to Texas or Florida to rob old people essentially. In Florida, your neaighbors will drop dead with surprising regularity and be replaced with excited old people from other northern states, these people will die suddenly and be replaced with more geezers from the north.

If you live near the ocean, hurricanes and bad weather are just part of life. Insurance is going to be expensive and flood or homeowners insurance is going to be expensive or break the bank if it is available at all. Every storm will be dangerous to your wallet. Every recovery will flood the area with every criminal in America with a contractor license. If Florida about 90% of all contractors, electricians, plumbers, roofers and land scapers are fucking scumbags, most of their employees are convicted felons and you will get a choice between shitty work and a break-in in the coming weeks. Hopefully Texas is a bit better.

Since you want to live near an ocean, buy a generator and have 10-15 gallons of fuel available. Having an extra fridge or freezer in the garage is handy to keep stocked up on food and drinks so you can avoid the pre-storm panic six times a year. If you have trees in your new yard, buy a chainsaw to cut up everything that falls off of them in a storm. Yard work is year round by the way and crap grows fast, enjoy yard work, enjoy mold, mildew, snakes, lizards and bugs.

If you live even a few miles inland, the amount of damage from hurricanes and storms is lowered considerably. I have relatives in Florida, they live about 6 miles from the ocean at 69 ft above sea level, they get far less damage than many people in the area. It takes them 10 minutes to get the boat in the water from the house.

Texas has very little public land by the way. If you hunt or hike you will find a lot less available than you have in most other states.

 

[1911hombre]

Most people in civilized states would prefer you stayed in the mess you made. If you have to move, stop voting for Democrats once you cross the state line to the place you are fleeing.

Why would you assume I vote democrat? Smarten up.

 

[chopit]

I live outside of Corpus. Its not terrible but not great either. There is no really NICE part of town. Medical sucks, lots of hospitals but its like being in the 1950s. I go to Houston if I need a surgery or something important.
The wind is a mfer here. Average day 10-20 mph. Some days 20-40. It blows hard enough to knock over a 4 burner ss bbq pit and rip the blades off my patio ceiling fan. When you open your car door make sure you got ahold of it. Lots of wind surfers if you like that. Beaches are cool you can drive down them.
No traffic is nice. Streets are pot hole riddled and orange barrels everywhere with not a mfer working. If you fish or shoot birds you will love the area. I could shoot my limit of doves everyday in my yard. Enough places to fish and never really need a boat unless you wanted.
Some matches in the area but if you want to shoot long range you need to know someone with land. Corpus Christi gun club is nice if you like to shoot skeet or trap. The rifle range only to 200.
I am retired and once we figure out where we want to live we are moving. Again not terrible but not wonderful. Oh and the city's DA is soros bought.

 

[mosin46]

yea,the guy sounds like an asshole who doesn't or never has lived in fl. yes,we have our own issues,like everywhere. i'm sure minnesota and texas do as well. high % of retirees creates some of those issues good and bad. the state is actually quite diverse. some areas are like typical southern states. the large cities are mostly left wing shit holes with a lot of good people stuck in them by jobs etc. there are many places where the salt water is the big thing diving,fishing and such. hunting is kinda so so. good fresh water fishing as well. no income tax but 7% sales tax on goods and services. pretty hot most of the time of course. quite a bit of high end med care. but,some areas poorly served in that way. property values and taxes all over,like most places i bet. large hispanic areas. miami is basically a foreign country. parts of tampa used to be back in the day. wetbacks are all over like the rest of US. crime is mostly city related of course. race a big deal some places and not at all in others. FL is what it is but is generally a free state overall. gov control is mostly republican for what that matters. most bigger cities are trying to be seattle east. personally glad to be here as opposed to a lot of alternatives.

 

[7.62willdo]

You get to rebuild your house every 2 or 3 years

 

[Arc Light]

Have you considered moving to Wyoming? I've heard @Bender say it is wide open for refugees from the communist states and they are very welcoming

 

[1911hombre]

Have you considered moving to Wyoming? I've heard @Bender say it is wide open for refugees from the communist states and they are very welcoming

Maybe he would rent me his basement!

 

[Sniperwannabee]

No public land everything is private land and fenced off I was stationed there twice for a total of 11 years ( including CC) great people but the outdoor life sucks(no hiking or off-road/atv areas) just fishing unless you know someone with land to hunt small whitetail and hogs. Huge shooting community in Corpus so there lots of prs style local matches with 1000yd plus to shoot including the rifles only club shoots.

 

[Maggot]

I live outside of Corpus. Its not terrible but not great either. There is no really NICE part of town. Medical sucks, lots of hospitals but its like being in the 1950s. I go to Houston if I need a surgery or something important.
The wind is a mfer here. Average day 10-20 mph. Some days 20-40. It blows hard enough to knock over a 4 burner ss bbq pit and rip the blades off my patio ceiling fan. When you open your car door make sure you got ahold of it. Lots of wind surfers if you like that. Beaches are cool you can drive down them.
No traffic is nice. Streets are pot hole riddled and orange barrels everywhere with not a mfer working. If you fish or shoot birds you will love the area. I could shoot my limit of doves everyday in my yard. Enough places to fish and never really need a boat unless you wanted.
Some matches in the area but if you want to shoot long range you need to know someone with land. Corpus Christi gun club is nice if you like to shoot skeet or trap. The rifle range only to 200.
I am retired and once we figure out where we want to live we are moving. Again not terrible but not wonderful. Oh and the city's DA is soros bought.

Sounds like its gone down. I went to school at the former UCC (University of CC) in1970. It was backwards then but quaint and nice. Made some long time friends so have been back a lot. It had improved with the floating museum etc. I guess the Hispanics, hispaniced it.

 

[Sniperwannabee]

Sounds like its gone down. I went to school at the former UCC (University of CC) in1970. It was backwards then but quaint and nice. Made some long time friends so have been back a lot. It had improved with the floating museum etc. I guess the Hispanics, hispaniced it.

The Hispanics in Corpus are more patriotic than half of the white population in America, the first July 4 I spent there I was amazed how everyone is decked out in red white and blue

 

[hlee]

Just be aware that we have a ‘conservation season’ aimed at reducing the population of resident snow birds…

 

[SONIC SAAMI]

No public land everything is private land and fenced off I was stationed there twice for a total of 11 years ( including CC) great people but the outdoor life sucks(no hiking or off-road/atv areas) just fishing unless you know someone with land to hunt small whitetail and hogs. Huge shooting community in Corpus so there lots of prs style local matches with 1000yd plus to shoot including the rifles only club shoots.

Any state without access to a large amount of public lands, would be a hard no for me

 

[chevy_man]

There's a lot better places to live.

MN is pretty shitty though.

So it'll be trading snow for hot, snow removal for yard work.

I hear Wyoming has a ton of public land. Only problem some days your bullet will never drop because the wind will carry it to Utah, other days it can't overcome the wind and falls at your feet.


Living in a state that mandates how to fence so wild animals can cross, I can't imagine living in a place where high fences and zero public land is available.
Lots of Texans move here and get educated real quick. Lots of fun to be had with the state informing them that they don't actually own any wild animals that happen to cross their property.

 

[Aftermath]

I grew up in Idaho and Alaska so my point of view is very likely skewed. I recently moved to Okrahoma. I've lived in Mississippi, North and South Carolina, North Dakota, New Joisy and I had to live in Tejas for a job. I have never felt less free as an American than when I lived in Tejas.

 

[hlee]

There's a lot better places to live.

MN is pretty shitty though.

So it'll be trading snow for hot, snow removal for yard work.

I hear Wyoming has a ton of public land. Only problem some days your bullet will never drop because the wind will carry it to Utah, other days it can't overcome the wind and falls at your feet.


Living in a state that mandates how to fence so wild animals can cross, I can't imagine living in a place where high fences and zero public land is available.
Lots of Texans move here and get educated real quick. Lots of fun to be had with the state informing them that they don't actually own any wild animals that happen to cross their property.

While they may be able to trap them on their property, Texas land owners do not own native species residing on their land. They must abide by seasons, bag limits, and license/permit restrictions like all other hunters. This, however, does not apply to exotics which are treated like domestic livestock. To the point that killing an exotic on your property with an identifying tag, brand, or other marking is illegal.

 

[Wyfox]

Have you considered moving to Wyoming? I've heard @Bender say it is wide open for refugees from the communist states and they are very welcoming

If you like snow and wind in copious amounts.
I-80 right now

 

[jrhtx]

You're in Minnesota and want to move to the Texas coast? Yea, good luck with that. Rent don't buy.
Hurricanes, humidity, heat, hurricanes, hot, humid, mosquitos, bugs, ....
Did I say HOT, HUMID, HURRICANES! Oh and high insurance cost, high flood insurance, high property tax. Yea, yea, no income tax but they get back in in other ways. My homeowners insurance just went up 50% this month, same with a friend in the same area. Many companies won't write policies due to hurricane losses. Flood went up 40% last August and is now more location based rates. The only good thing about CC is the wind blows about 90% of the time to help cool the hot off. If it's not blowing, it's F'king HOT.
I lived in CC from 1988-1993. Said I would move back to retire. NOT. They call it Robstown by the sea. They closed the WM in Robstown because of the theft. Does that tell you something?

Beaches? Tar balls and trash from cruise ships.

I have lived on the Texas coast for over 50 years and I'm done. I have been through multiple hurricanes in Texas, Mississippi, and 1 in NJ of all places. As soon as we can find a place we can both agree on, we are gone. I'm too old to fu$% with floods, wind damage, destroyed house, climbing ladders, etc.

Plenty of snowbirds come down in the winter but as soon as it hits about 80, the RV parks are empty!!

 

[Boatninja]

Right now the South Texas coast is awash in people from Minnesota and Iowa mostly, but plenty from other from snow states as well. I don't really know why so many unless it is related to hurricane damage on Florida west coast. Everyone is talking about it and hoping they are going back home soon. The past few years the locals have started calling them Turoids, the good ones go back up.. Many are retired and living on fixed income, eating at the all you can eat buffet specials and taking what they can stuff into their pockets. Many bring their RV's with them and park on the beach and various other places and generally don't really contribute a lot to the local economy. I have heard them say that they can spend the winter here cheaper here than they can buy heating oil back home, (Let's go Brandon!!).
That all being said, most of the people complaining aren't much different. Most all are really from elsewhere and haven't really been around for all that long, kind of a "I got my bit of paradise and don't want anyone else to have any of it" attitude. You may be hard pressed to find a single person that has roots that go back past the 80's or 90's.
Each hurricane that blows everything away just brings in more outsiders expensive property's and higher taxes to the point that people that actually have jobs here and provide vital infrastructure can't afford to live here.
One thing I can tell you foe certain that 10-15 gallons of gas for that generator won't be near enough when things go bad.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

Why would you assume I vote democrat? Smarten up.

I assume nothing, the strange fact is the more people from states like yours that move to decent southern states, the more communists get elected and the politics of the region are suddenly turn left. It is a strange coincidence I'm sure.

 

[Snipe260]

Maybe he would rent me his basement!

Uniontown Alabama. Check it out

 

[Sandhog308]

I semi-retired in September 2021, as in retired from 60 hour weeks at UPS. I immediately started working two days a week in a LGS just to keep a little structure in my life, etc. At some time in the future, I'm going to fly the coop and GTFO of Minnesota for any and all reasons. My wife has always wanted to live near the ocean, and I've got a soft spot for Texas. The Gulf Coast of Texas has our eye; what say you who know? I know property tax is high but that won't apply here as I'm a T&P disabled vet. Thanks in advance for your ideas!

Things I remember about Corpus Christi.
One of the most humid spots in the US. Needed 3 Hollywood showers daily…at the least. Vietnam hot at times.
Bugs were rampant , skeeters especially.
SPID ….or South Padre Island Drive ….full of kids and rednecks and cribs on stilts.
Weather ….as mentioned , humidity sucks as do the heat and hurricanes.
The Gulf looks like the water is from the Mekong Delta , only dirtier. Beach looked like Something in New Jersey….
Think that area wouldn’t work for me ever.
Tuck Fexas

 

[chevy_man]

While they may be able to trap them on their property, Texas land owners do not own native species residing on their land. They must abide by seasons, bag limits, and license/permit restrictions like all other hunters. This, however, does not apply to exotics which are treated like domestic livestock. To the point that killing an exotic on your property with an identifying tag, brand, or other marking is illegal.

The problem here is they're trapping elk herds and messing with their seasonal migrations.

Then they poach trophy's constantly. Because when you have your own air strip who's going to find out?

 

[Maggot]

The Hispanics in Corpus are more patriotic than half of the white population in America, the first July 4 I spent there I was amazed how everyone is decked out in red white and blue

I wasnt refering to their patriotism but as to how things, utilities, streets, etc. operate. I lived in Texas for nearly 20 years and I found that the closer you got to the border, generally, the worse things worked.

 

[UKDslayer]

My homeowners insurance just went up 50% this month, same with a friend in the same area.

Mine just went up 80%.

 

[jb0311]

Fishing is good, I also thought the area is beautiful, but…

I’ll put it in perspective a bit maybe with this; my wife and I both work and love wildlife and ecology. I’m pretty passionate about birds for example. I would argue that there is no better place in the US for those things, but I will never go back. We worked around mcallen/Brownsville and the people there make it a shit hole. Yes there are mosquitoes and hurricanes and it’s hot, but I’ve lived places with worse in each category. Again, the people. About as many Mexican plates as there are texan, border patrol works overtime as a major smuggling route runs through that border crossing, and there is a lot of theft/crime in that area. The area is beautiful, but the people there make it a place I would never want to live.


The taco stands are good though

 

[BCP]

The wind is a mfer here. Average day 10-20 mph. Some days 20-40. It blows hard enough to knock over a 4 burner ss bbq pit and rip the blades off my patio ceiling fan.

Sounds like here in Arizona. The wind is always 10-20mph and in the spring we get this windy season where it's 20-40-60 every day for three months. I think it blows so much because every Boomer who retires here is a giant windbag.

I would go to southern AL or some place in FL if you want to be on the gulf and go fishing and all that. The south has a nicer culture too.

 

[Maggot]

Fishing is good, I also thought the area is beautiful, but…

I’ll put it in perspective a bit maybe with this; my wife and I both work and love wildlife and ecology. I’m pretty passionate about birds for example. I would argue that there is no better place in the US for those things, but I will never go back. We worked around mcallen/Brownsville and the people there make it a shit hole. Yes there are mosquitoes and hurricanes and it’s hot, but I’ve lived places with worse in each category. Again, the people. About as many Mexican plates as there are texan, border patrol works overtime as a major smuggling route runs through that border crossing, and there is a lot of theft/crime in that area. The area is beautiful, but the people there make it a place I would never want to live.


The taco stands are good though

Its odd, and I've wondered about it for years.

As said above, I lived in various parts of Tejas for 20 years.

Travelled extensively in Mexico and Central America, driving alone and with buddies. I've made many good friends and met many great people. Kind, compassionate, down to earth. Very family and church orientated. If you're welcomed by the family, youre in good shape. Went to a birthday party for a friend and ate the wrong thing, fish fresh out of a river. Got sick as a dog so my buddy who is pretty influential in the area took me to his parents house and his mom tended to me for 3 days. I love those folks. In Mexico their hard workers, and even the poor take pride in their homes, keep them up and work to improve them.

When they immigrate here and seem to strive to reach the same level they knew in Mex. but no more. Rather it seems their more comfortable letting standards lower to where they were before coming here. Some of that is just that a lot of them end up in cities surrounded by their own culture and never break free, I reckon.

Back to Corpus, yeah, over all its largely peopled by the lower, and lower middle class though there are some really nice areas.

If you dont mind the hurricanes, I'd look out towards Flour Bluff, east of town near the beach, or one of the surrounding towns like Port Aransas. Or go a bit west of town and avoid the destruction that hits every once in a while.

 

[Maggot]

The south has a nicer culture too.

Certainly not the southern hospitality I hold so dear.

 

[1911hombre]

I appreciate all the input here, guys! From all the comments I'm pretty sold on the gulf coast of Texas NOT being the place to move to as an older person. My wife had her heart set on "being by the ocean" which is something that's never appealed to me, but I feel she's been considerate of all my stupid shit over the years, so I somehow want her to have this. I'm gonna edge to the east in my search for now. Lots of great info from everybody; keep it coming!

 

[Sandhog308]

I appreciate all the input here, guys! From all the comments I'm pretty sold on the gulf coast of Texas NOT being the place to move to as an older person. My wife had her heart set on "being by the ocean" which is something that's never appealed to me, but I feel she's been considerate of all my stupid shit over the years, so I somehow want her to have this. I'm gonna edge to the east in my search for now. Lots of great info from everybody; keep it coming!

Not tootin Arkansas horn per se , but the MW Ark area ….Ark River Valley between the Ozark & and Ouachita ( wash ah tah) National Forests is nice/ Beautiful !
We got snakes , bugs, heat & humidity, storms , tornadoes etc. BUT theres some reason I stay here ? The seasons balance out , plus we got 4 distinct seasons
Most people are friendly and kind , exceptions to the rule of course. I am looking around the Bella Vista area to be closer to my daughter. Looks of older Boomers dying off and deals can be found.

 

[NotByWorks]

Lived on Aransas and Copano Bays near Rockport for eight years, and was sad to leave. It was beautiful and peaceful, but as already mentioned hot, humid, and exposed to Hurricanes. I went windsurfing just about every evening after work, and fishing was great. We evacuated for hurricane Gilbert, which at the time was the most powerful hurricane recorded. It is a sickening feeling to leave your house and wonder if it will be there when you return. Gilbert went into Mexico but still destroyed my pier in Rockport. Rockport got whacked by Harvey, and I haven’t been back since. If you want Texas coast, check out Rockport. Corpus Christi is only 35-40 minutes away.

 

[Maggot]

Not tootin Arkansas horn per se , but the MW Ark area ….Ark River Valley between the Ozark & and Ouachita ( wash ah tah) National Forests is nice/ Beautiful !
We got snakes , bugs, heat & humidity, storms , tornadoes etc. BUT theres some reason I stay here ? The seasons balance out , plus we got 4 distinct seasons
Most people are friendly and kind , exceptions to the rule of course. I am looking around the Bella Vista area to be closer to my daughter. Looks of older Boomers dying off and deals can be found.

Agreed, the area you mentioned and around Fayetteville and east is beautiful, often remote, country.

 

[1911hombre]

Not tootin Arkansas horn per se , but the MW Ark area ….Ark River Valley between the Ozark & and Ouachita ( wash ah tah) National Forests is nice/ Beautiful !
We got snakes , bugs, heat & humidity, storms , tornadoes etc. BUT theres some reason I stay here ? The seasons balance out , plus we got 4 distinct seasons
Most people are friendly and kind , exceptions to the rule of course. I am looking around the Bella Vista area to be closer to my daughter. Looks of older Boomers dying off and deals can be found.

Oh, yeah, we love NW Arkansas! Been through there many times on the bike. Awesome country. Still on my list!

 

[Sandhog308]

Agreed, the area you mentioned and around Fayetteville and east is beautiful, often remote, country.

Fayetteville ain’t what it used to be ( traffic) , Springdale is now 55% or more Hispanics. In 1977 there were 0% non whites.…Follow the fowl ! ie: Tysons.
Bentonville is full of limp wristed snowflakes. THAT said ….Beaver Lake over to Eureka Springs , Berryville , home of Bill Wilson & Nighthawk is nice .…all the way to say Harrison/ Jasper/Mountain Home areas are beautiful and some places are totally boonies.
Only other part of the state I’d live is the Mena area , or around Hot Springs.
Fuck past Little Rock to Memphis , especially the Pine Bluff area Not familiar with the NE part at all.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

Not tootin Arkansas horn per se , but the MW Ark area ….Ark River Valley between the Ozark & and Ouachita ( wash ah tah) National Forests is nice/ Beautiful !
We got snakes , bugs, heat & humidity, storms , tornadoes etc. BUT theres some reason I stay here ? The seasons balance out , plus we got 4 distinct seasons
Most people are friendly and kind , exceptions to the rule of course. I am looking around the Bella Vista area to be closer to my daughter. Looks of older Boomers dying off and deals can be found.

My sister lives about 20 miles outside Mena. Yes, it's beautiful up there. She has over 200 acres that backs up to the national forest, so not a lot of folks around her.

 

[Sandhog308]

Oh, yeah, we love NW Arkansas! Been through there many times on the bike. Awesome country. Still on my list!

My daughter lives on a main bike trail in Bella Vista , she’s going to start a B&B to pay her mortgage. Place is really geared to bikes & pasture pool. I see golf courses as wastes of good shooting ranges.

 

[Sandhog308]

My sister lives about 20 miles outside Mena. Yes, it's beautiful up there. She has over 200 acres that backs up to the national forest, so not a lot of folks around her.

I got on the Cossatot last summer. No bullshit !!

 

[1911hombre]

My sister lives about 20 miles outside Mena. Yes, it's beautiful up there. She has over 200 acres that backs up to the national forest, so not a lot of folks around her.

I've ridden the Talimina Skyway three times from Talahina, OK to Mena AR. Stayed at the Queen Wilhemina Lodge and rode down into Mena for dinner at a place called the Branding Iron, I think. Great Food and Great Country!