Should I move to Galveston, TX?

Question

I am considering moving to Galveston to go to Texas A&M. Since it is for sometime (at least 3 years to finish school) I am wondering what is it like to live there? My girlfriend will be moving with me and I would just like to know how easy a transition this might be. We live about 45 min. west of Chicago, and are used to an area with plenty to do, opportunities (work wise), and a nice area to live in. I really want to go to school there, but i'm concerned about hurricanes, crime, and stagnant economic conditions. I just would like a really honest opinion about the place and what are some neighborhoods that are good and which are bad. Rent wise we are looking for something in the 900-1200 price range. Also my gf is an HR professional, how hard is it to find work there?

While the answers that i have received have been in good spirit, i don't feel anyone has gone into much detail. Definitely not selling me on this lol... Anyone that lives in or near Galveston that can give me a clear picture of what it is like living there i would really appreciate that... also i hear the job growth is excellent in Houston are there any working business professionals that can give me an idea how it is there? My girlfriend works in downtown Chicago and i would like to get an idea how it is in downtown Houston.

Answer 1

I assume you are majoring in marine sciences, as TAMUG is pretty much dedicated to marine studies.

Otherwise the area is nice. The island was once a major commerce center for the United states and was on it's way to being the major shipping port for the southern US. The Strand area of Galveston was once called the Wall Street of the South. Many of the major industrialist of the time resided on the island. That of course was before most of the island and it's buildings was destroyed by a hurricane. Since then, the inhabitants have raised the elevation of the island and built a sea wall which increased the height of the seaward side by over 20 feet. The island has been hit by subsequent hurricanes, as is the entire gulf coast, but without the devastating damage, and the last significant hurricane to impact Galveston was Hurricane Alicia 1983 and then Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. Though there are always some effects of late summer/fall gulf storms. Of course you risk of hurricanes is significantly higher in Galveston, than Chicago, but, you will probably never see snow.

The crime statistics in Galveston, in general, are higher than the Texas and National average. The US average crime level for statistical comparison is 100, Chicago 60601 is 61, Galveston 77550 is 277.

I do not live in Galveston, but I do go there frequently, as I have some investment in the cruise and tourism business there. The island is a great place to go, there are many beautiful areas, but there are also many areas, which need to be refurbished. The older historic homes, while beautiful, are very hard to maintain in the salt air. Some of the newest construction seems to be slanted at weekly and short term rental.

But I love the island and the city, they have a lot to do, and it can be a nice place.

As far is the employment opportunities, the primary empolyment on the island is in tourism and the University of Texas Medical Branch, otherwise it is an island, there are limits to the business there.

There is significant employment opportunities in the Houston area, and any of the major cities in Texas are excellent places to move (San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin). The traffic, going into and out of Houston to Galveston can be tough, but many people make the commute. There is an area between Houston and Galveston called Clear Lake/Kemah. This is a nice area to live.

Answer 2

Galveston is a cool place to hang out , or have a summer home but not so much to live. Your girlfriend would have much more opportunity in Houston than Galveston. You might
look into the Clear lake NASA area . It is about Half way in between . Very nice neighborhoods and keeps your options open, The best way is to come have a look around if you can.
Now would be a good time because you could see the Isle
without the crowd . (it not usually super crowded during the season though)
Also keep in mind that in Houston you may have to commute
because we only love cars and trucks here .
Don't you worry none about hurricanes Anderson Cooper and
the rest will let you know a week ahead of time

Answer 3

Galveston may as well be considered part of the Greater Houston Area. The job market is great in Houston albeit some times the pay can lack. On a professional level though, they are competive.

Galveston Island itself is a small jewel when it comes to history. The Strand district and the Silk Stocking district take you back into time.

Housing is plentiful and cheap.

Between Houston and Galveston, you will never be at a loss of things to do.

Hurricanes are actually rare and you have a day or two of warning easily. During Rita, many people freaked due to all the coverage of Katrina. Rita did almost zero damage to Galveston. I would not worry over this. Just pay attention and be respectful of them.

Economic downturns are very often caused by oil prices. Luckily, in this area, the opposite is true. When oil prices go up, much of the Houston area booms.

Rentwise, you will find lots of nice places in that price range.

Jobwise, your GF has alot to choose from. On Galveston Island itself, there is the University of Texas Medical Branch.
It is huge and HR is a big player. There are city and county HR depts. as well as many locally owned businesses.
And that's on the Island alone.

Weatherwise, it can be hot in the summer with major humidity. But Texans love A/C and everything indoors has A/C. Winters are very mild here. Yesterday, it was 76 degrees or so and a cold front came through. The low was in the 50's last night and it will get up to 70 today most likely.
Mind you, it can get a lot colder but nothing like the windy city.
The Gulf of Mexico helps keep the temps from taking wild swings.

Galveston has beaches but they pale when compared to Florida beaches. The surf is sometimes green but often brown depending on weather conditions.

Crime in Galveston is usually the crackhead type, petty thefts and car burglaries. Not much else unless you deal drugs or get into a gang.

On Galveston, there are a lot of nice neighborhoods in which to live. There are beachfront condos, apartments and many houses for rent.

Galveston holds many events throughout the year. Mardi Gras parades and street parties on the Strand, kinda a baby version of New Orleans. They hold the Lonestar Bike Rally for bikers, there is Dickens on the Strand around Xmas. Summer is full of tourists from all over and everyone exhales after Labor Day.

Texas A&M is a fine school with many traditions. Once you are an Aggie, you are one for life. Galveston A&M offers some of the finest Maritime and Marine training to be found in the world. It also runs a marine mammal stranding center and a sea turtle program.

I live just across the channel (free ferry boat ride away) from Galveston but am originally from Houston. I love it here and am constantly finding things in Galveston that intrigue me.
OH, be prepared for monster mosquitos during the summer.

Answer 4

First of all, realize it takes at least an hour to drive from Galveston to downtown Houston if you take i-45 (there's no ferry that way). Let me break it down city by city.

Galveston: giant beachy tourist town. the universities are really good though, so don't be put off by that fact (one of my really good friends is applying at ut galveston in a few months). hurricanes really aren't a big deal. i've lived on the coast my whole life, and rita is the only one that's ever hit in my life time. every year there's a hurricane scare or alert, but we usually just get a lot of rain. if you lived in a house or apartment, make sure it's in a decent part of town. most houses and neighborhoods are lower income, so the crime is higher. the main part of town near the sea wall is safer than the parts farther in the island. the town has has really grown over the past 10 or so years so more businesses are moving in.

houston: giant growing city in texas. you won't get bored in downtown. again with the hurricanes, they've never really affected us. just lots of rain from june to november. your girlfriend will have no problem finding work here. the crime in actual houston is like every other big city - it has its moments. there are lots of communities outside of houston that are still great to commute to and from. League City, Dickinson, and Webster are a few cities that are really nice and would be a middle ground between galveston and houston. just avoid the 5th ward in downtown houston and you'll be fine. your price range of how much you'd like to pay a month can get you a lot, because the housing market in houston has always remained incredibly reasonable. another thing to remember in houston is that while there is public transportation available, most people still use their own cars to get around - and we really are impatient drivers.

hope i helped. if you ever visit the area, the website below has really useful information.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Should I move to Galveston, TX?
I am considering moving to Galveston to go to Texas A&M. Since it is for sometime (at least 3 years to finish school) I am wondering what is it like to live there? My girlfriend will be moving with me and I would just like to know how easy a transition this might be. We live about 45 min. west of...

Answer 6

Hmm NO.. if a deathful Hurricane hits
you will be the 1st to get wiped out..
I live on Northeast Houston area Humble,Tx
not to far from Galveston and when Hurricane Rita hit, I was scared for myself but, I was also scared for those people
near Galveston.

Answer 7

I really don't understand why yall want to move there. It's a dangerous, ghetto area, school is bad. Hurricane season means your house might even be destroyed... Seriously, Galveston is a horrible place to live in..... If you want tips, I guess find a house away from the beach....

Answer 8

If you don't mind heat, humidity, and bugs, Galveston is fine. It is on the Gulf coast, of course, so beaching is a plausible recreation. Get a Galveston newspaper to investigate employment opportunities.

Answer 9

I don't know what it is like to live there, but I know that ever since Hurricane Katrina and Rita, the hurricane evacuations have been increasing, sometimes unnecessary (even though it is better to be safe than sorry). It's nice to be next to the beach, though! Most people who know what a real "ocean" looks like usually talk **** about Galveston, but it's not that bad. It's a good place for running/bike riding/rollerblading also.

Answer 10

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