A coastal city located in southeast Texas, Corpus Christi neighbors the longest barrier island in the nation, Padre Island, which is a world famous vacation and spring break destination. Corpus Christi is the eighth most populous city in the state of Texas and its name is derived from the Latin translation for "Body of Christ." The city was named by Spanish explorer Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda when he discovered the land in 1519. Corpus Christi is also home to the Port of Corpus Christi, which is the fifth largest port in the nation.
This guide will provide you with some helpful tips and information on just about everything you need to know if you're going to be making the move to Corpus Christi. From the city's neighborhoods and school systems to the employment options and recreational activities available within the city, you'll find it all in this guide so that you can go into your move with the knowledge that is needed to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Corpus Christi Climate
Corpus Christi's climate is primarily categorized as a humid subtropical climate. The city experiences long, hot and humid summers and very brief, mild winters. Temperatures can often reach the triple digits during the hottest parts of the summer in July and August. The city's location right on the coast contributes largely to its weather and the humidity it experiences during the summer, as the nearby city of Laredo has a mostly arid climate, much drier than that of Corpus Christi.
The city's location also means that it's susceptible to high winds and is often very windy, with gusts up to 40 mph regularly. The temperatures largely remain in the 50s during the winter, with snow being a very infrequent occurrence.
Corpus Christi Geography and Neighborhoods
There are several neighborhoods that make up the city of Corpus Christi, and many of these neighborhoods have managed to maintain a distinctly unique culture all their own. In fact, many of these sections of the city are so distinct and diverse that they are often mistaken for individual municipalities. Some of the neighborhoods in the city include Flour Bluff, South Side, Crestmont, Calallen, Clarkwood, Annaville, North Beach, Mustang Island, North Padre Island and Gardendale. The neighborhoods are often distinguished by the demographics and culture of the people who reside there.
Living Costs in the City
Corpus Christi is located in a prime spot on the south Texas coast near the Gulf of Mexico and within a stone's throw of South Padre Island, a popular vacation destination, but despite all of that Corpus Christi's cost of living remains significantly lower than the national average. The costs of living in Corpus Christi are fairly low when compared to other similar large cities throughout the country, and the average price of rent is low throughout most of Corpus Christi, as are the various living expenses related to average living costs, such as transportation, food and utilities. The median family income in Corpus Christi is $53,247, which is slightly higher than the national average for median family income.
The median home price for an average home in Corpus Christi is around $128,612, also significantly low and well below the national average, but on par with similar real estate prices that exist throughout much of Texas, as well as most of the region.
Registering Your Car
The first few weeks can be a busy time for anyone who is new to Texas. One must make sure to register their vehicle as soon as they can. In order to do that one can find a local car service provider who will inspect your vehicle. There are also vehicle inspection stations available where one must show detailed proof of adequate insurance and your driver's license.
Upon moving to Texas, one must also apply for a Texas Driver's license. One must go to a driver's license division office of the Texas Department of Public safety. Unless you are a student or a military member you must submit any existing license and apply for a new license here. One has 90 days upon arrival to have a Texas driver's license. You must also make sure to learn about the Texas point system as getting a ticket in Texas can be very expensive.
Corpus Christi Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Corpus Christi, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Texas. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Corpus Christi Schools
The city of Corpus Christi is served by five different public school districts - Corpus Christi Independent School District, Flour Bluff Independent School District, Calallen Independent School District, Tuloso-Midway Independent School District and West Oso Independent School District. The city also has a number of private and charter schools from the elementary school level all the way up through high school. In addition, there are several major institutions of higher learning located in Corpus Christi including Del Mar College, Coastal Bend College, Our Lady of Corpus Christi, a private Catholic university, and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Corpus Christi Employment
Corpus Christi's major industries include the service industry, wholesale and retail trade and the government sector. The Port of Corpus Christi plays a major role in the city's local economy and is the deepest inshore port on the Gulf of Mexico. The port deals mainly in oil and agricultural products, and the two largest contributors to the local economy are tourism and the oil industry.
The current unemployment rate is right around 5.3 percent as of April 2013, lower than the national unemployment rate, and the job growth rate is currently on the rise at nearly 12.36 percent. The major employers are Whataburger, the Corpus Christi Independent School District, CHRISTUS Spohn Health Systems, H.E.B., and the Corpus Christi Army Depot.
Public Transportation
The city of Corpus Christi is served by Three Class I railroads - Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Union Pacific, and Kansas City Southern. The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority regulates the bus service within the city and operates all 28 bus routes. The Harbor Bridge and John F. Kennedy Causeway are two major bridges that provide motorists from surrounding areas with access to the city.
The closest airport is the Corpus Christi International Airport which is located five miles west of downtown Corpus Christi. The airport features daily commercial flights on major airlines such as Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and United Express to both domestic and international destinations.
Culture and Contemporary Life
There are plenty of things to do and sights to see in Corpus Christi, and being that it's a coastal city located a short distance away from a major resort town, there's never a shortage of excitement. The most popular destinations for both tourists and residents alike range from the popular North Beach area, where you'll find the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington Museum, to the downtown area where you can visit the Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens and Nature Center or the Hans and Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge. For the best national parks the area has the offer, or just some good old relaxation time, you can visit the Padre Island National Seashore on Padre Island, located just east of the city.
Moving to Corpus Christi
Whatever your reasons for moving to Corpus Christi, whether it be for a change of scenery or for employment, the city beckons you with its charm. The first step in the process of moving to Corpus Christi is choosing a moving company after first checking their BBB ratings, insurance and license. The moving rates are charged by the hour if you are moving within the state boundary, while for a long distance move the charges will depend on the total weight or volume in cubic feet of your belongings. In the latter case, you can ask about a flat rate or any special discounts that are available with the mover.