Thinking about living in Corpus Christi?
You’re in the right spot!
I’ve lived in this wonderful Texas seaside city for years. And while I personally think it’s a great place to call home, there’s also some drawbacks that lead some people to steer clear of settling down here.
Today, I’m sharing everything about Corpus Christi that you need to know.
The Pros of Living in Corpus Christi
Here are the pros of living in “The Sparking City by the Sea.”
1. Beautiful Environment
Take a visit to Corpus Christi for yourself and you will need no further explanation. The views and sights of the bay are gorgeous.
It does not matter where you live, it only takes a few minutes to drive to Corpus Christi’s downtown beach. In fact, most houses and apartments have beautiful views of Corpus Christi’s many bays, beaches, and flourishing parks and nature reserves.
2. Moderate Cost of Living
The cost of living in Corpus Christi is relatively affordable, especially compared to other major Texas cities.
To get specific, BestPlaces.net suggests Corpus Christi has a median home cost of just $188,500. That’s about 25% lower than the average home in Texas and 35% lower than the rest of the United States
People with good job prospects (more on that later) can make the most of Corpus Christi with large, seaside houses. And those looking for more bargain dwellings can certainly find them here, too.
Keep in mind that Corpus Christi does balance its low rent costs somewhat with health and utilities costs that are more in line with the national average. That said combining all these factors and the cost of living in Corpus Christi is still nearly 20% cheaper than the rest of the country, according to BestPlaces.net.
3. Family-Friendly Atmosphere
If you’ve ever wondered whether Corpus Christi is a good place to raise a family, worry no longer. Corpus Christi is a welcoming city with an unforgettable, family-friendly atmosphere.
Education-wise, Corpus Christi has above average public schools, as measured by GreatSchools.org. All throughout town you’ll find multiple schools rated 7 out of 10 and above, which is very good.
Plus, with plenty of things to do all year round, families will enjoy residing in this beach town. Have you ever met a kid that didn’t enjoy a trip to the beach? Not to mention, there’s ton to learn at the local museums, parks, and monuments. Speaking of which…
4. Rich History
Corpus Christi is full of rich history, like its part in various wars. By visiting downtown Corpus Christi, you can see many historical monuments. There are also museums containing artifacts from the soldiers’ who defended the Corpus Christi borders.
This seaside city is also heavily associated with the late Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. The Selena Museum gives people the opportunity to see many of the late singer’s belongings including displays of her awards, iconic outfits, signed albums, and at the end a gift shop.
5. Large Diversity
As the city of Corpus Christi continues to grow, so does its diversity.
Based on a 2019 Census, the population is 63.2% Hispanic or Latino, 29.5% white, 2.3% Asian, 4.1% Black or African American, and 1.7% of two races or more. As one of the more diversion populations in Texas, this diversity in Corpus Christi makes it a welcoming for people of all ethnic backgrounds.
6. Lots of Delicious Food
This should come as no surprise from us food bloggers, but the food in Corpus Christi is delicious! Especially for a city of its size.
This diverse community has a wide range of diverse flavors available, so there are all kinds of foods to will satisfy every palette.
In general, Corpus is known for its renowned, fresh seafood and authentic Mexican food. But are also many other types of food offered in Corpus Christi like varieties of Asian food, Italian food, and much more.
For just a few examples, be sure to check out our guides to Corpus Christi’s best seafood, best Chinese food, best breakfast, or best pizza in Corpus Christi.
7. Above average entertainment
No, Corpus Christi doesn’t have the nightlife, professional sports, and other entertainment options of the biggest Texas cities like Houston or Dallas. But Corpus Christi does have plenty of its own charming entertainment options.
For one, there’s plenty of great beaches in Corpus Christi, which is something most other Texas towns can’t claim.
And not surprisingly, the ocean setting makes for all sorts of fun things to do. From visiting Corpus Christi’s summertime boardwalk fair to catching and cooking your own fish down at the Pier, there is something to do in Corpus for everyone. I mean, how many other Texas towns have dolphin tours?
The Cons of Living in Corpus Christi
Living in Corpus Christi can be a wonderful experience, but unfortunately, it’s not all sunshine and sea breeze here.
There are a few bad things about living in Corpus Christi that can deter many people from settling here. So before moving here, you may want to consider some of these downfalls:
1. Temperamental Weather
During certain times of the year, weather can become very temperamental in Corpus Christi. Ranging from extremely rainy to bright and sunny, the weather in Corpus Christi can change significantly in a single day!
For some people, the constant weather fluctuations can become annoying – especially if you do not like humidity.
Oh, and the wind. There’s lots and lots of wind. Which is great for the world-famous kite-surfing, but not so great for those of trying to decide what to wear or what other activities to do.
Officially, Corpus Christi gets 33 inches of rain per year, which is slightly below the national average. That said, it does seem like it rains quite frequently, even during dry season.
And yes, we have a hurricane season. Just in the past few years, Hurricane Harvey and Hanna caused serious flooding and damage.
2. Niche Job Shortages and Remote Job Failure
To be honest, employment opportunities are limited in Corpus Christi. The Naval Air Station is actually the largest employer in the city, and government jobs make up nearly half of the city’s other top 20 employers, including:
- City of Corpus Christi
- Corpus Christi Army Depot
- Corpus Cristi ISD
- Corpus Christi State School
- Dell Mar College
- Nueces County
- Texas A&M at Corpus Christi
Most other jobs available revolve around service, construction, fabrication, and healthcare. If you are looking for a job in tech or artistry, Corpus Christi is probably not the city for you.
Of course, remote jobs make it possible to work from anywhere, but you should caution that Corpus Christi is known for bad weather which can cause internet shortages around town. Remember, hurricane season!
Overall, the shortage of diverse jobs makes the city of Corpus Christi a difficult place to live for people with niche jobs.
3. High Crime Rate
The high crime rate of Corpus Christi is enough to deter most people from settling in this major Texas city. According to Crime Grade, Corpus Christi has received a D+ rating for its city safety.
Fortunately, not all areas of Corpus Christi have high crime rates. Downtown Corpus Christi is a high target area with a “failure” rating when it comes to safety and crime. On the other hand, newer developments like the South Side have much lower crime rates.
When moving to Corpus Christi, you can avoid areas with heavy crime by moving into some of the newer developments, farther away from downtown. Sure, you’ll miss the textbook Corpus Christi ocean view, but Oso Bay is stunning as well, and in a safer area. (Many homes and apartments overlook bays, so you can still get a great view when moving to a low-crime area in Corpus Christi.)
Conclusion
So is Corpus Christi worth living in?
Well, I call it home, and I think it’s a fantastic place to live!
If you can find a good job, aren’t afraid of some wacky Texas weather, and are willing to move to one of the safer parts of town, then I think Corpus Christi is the best city in the Texas Golf!
The many attractions, diversity, delicious food, and rich history makes Corpus Christi a very underrated place. And if you have a family or are interested in starting one, this is a great city for that.
And of course, the beach!