Source: Wikipedia
If you want to save money and live in an area where family life is dominant, South Texas is your go-to place, particularly, Corpus Christi. This city is ideal for people that enjoy a slower pace to life, but want some of the excitement that comes with living in a modern area. There are several neighborhoods within the city that you could call home. Here are five of them that you should check out:
Downtown
Downtown Corpus Christi is the ideal place to stay if you’re looking for a splash of excitement with a relatively laid back atmosphere. There are several clubs and restaurants in the area, and housing prices haven’t skyrocketed yet. The average family could easily find a home here for around $200,000. Apartments in the area range from $1,200 to $2,000 per month. Typically downtown living is more attractive to singles, but this area differs because it’s not like most big cities, and raising a family could be easier with the slower paced lifestyle.
Slow pace doesn’t mean lack of activities. Dr. Rockit’s Blues Bar, Comics Live Comedy Club, and the Cole Park Amphitheater are popular places to hangout. You won’t be far from grocery stores either. There’s a Super Walmart in the area, as well as an H.E.B Supermarket. When residents aren’t out getting groceries, you can find them enjoying a meal at Pier 99, a popular seafood eatery, or taking a stroll at Lamar Park Shopping center, which houses several poplar retailers including Chico’s and Joseph A. Ban Clothiers.
Calallen
Calallen is the quintessential place to raise a family. The neighborhood is comprised of middle class households with school aged children. Located about 15 miles from the Downtown area, there are roughly 20,000 residents here. The more upscale homes run about $250,000, but families and singles can find most of what they need in a home priced much lower. For $170,000 you could buy a very respectable place to live.
This quiet town is known for its excellent schools. There are five institutions within the district, and the Calallen High School Band has made quite a name for itself within the community. Aside from learning and soaking up the peace and quiet here, residents have a few choices for entertainment and shopping. Messer Grocery and Reeds Supermarket are both close by, and Five Points Shopping Mall houses a CVS Pharmacy, The US Post Office and Cici’s Pizza, among other brands.
Central City
Homes in Central City are very affordable, and ideal for families just starting off. Prices range from $100,000 to $250,000, and many of them have 3 to 4 bedrooms. Although the neighborhood is more rural than other neighborhoods within the city, there’s definitely no lack of amenities. Central City is home to several small restaurants that rival the brand name eateries. San Luis is a comfy family restaurant in the area, as is Frank’s Spaghetti House.,
Shopping for necessities does not pose a problem either. The Moore Plaza houses a number of shops including Old Navy, Payless Shoes and Office Depot. Super Walmart is also in the vicinity.
Bay Area
The Bay Area neighborhood is an affordable place for middle class families and singles. The average home price is around $280,000, and with the cost of living being lower than the national average, your salary will get you a lot in this area. The neighborhood is called the Bay Area because it’s close to the Corpus Christi Bay, which is an attractive selling point for boaters and anyone that enjoys spending time in the sun.
There are plenty of shopping plazas and grocery stores in Bay Area, including the Sunrise Mall, which houses a number of local shops. Among them are Jason’s Deli and the Sun Harvest Grocery Mart. Residents are also close to an array of attractions including the USS Lexington Museum, The Funtrackers Family Fun Center, and the South Texas Botanical Garden and Nature Center. If you’re planning to move an entire family to the area, you’ll be glad to know that the schools receive excellent ratings from parents, and it’s within close vicinity to Texas A&M University.
Ingleside
Here’s yet another very affordable neighborhood in Corpus Christi. Ingleside is close to the bay and features an eclectic mix of properties. The average home here has three bedrooms and over half of the residents are married families. It’s a good place to settle with children, again because of the excellent schools, and the slower pace of the city, overall.
Residents in this area don’t need to travel to Walmart; they have the World Market instead. This unique hodgepodge of vendors offers everything from home furnishings to wedding gifts. There’s also an area to grab a bite (or two) to eat after a long day of shopping. Cole Park is also in the vicinity, and is a good place to spend an afternoon picnicking with family, or enjoying a weekend concert.
Corpus Christi is a cost efficient place to live, and has all the amenities that the average person looks for in a city. The school systems are excellent, and its home to the highly regarded Texas A&M University. You could comfortably live here on a middle class salary and raise your family in a slower, laid back environment. There’s plenty for children to do here, and even more for adults. So, when do you plan on moving?
