Located a mere 50 miles south of Houston, Galveston is one of Texas' most beautiful, entertaining & historic island. Visitors are treated to 32 miles of sun-drenched beaches, direct access to four major cruise lines, miles of beautiful turn-of-the-century, historic Victorian architecture, countless attractions, 20 square blocks of shopping on Galveston's Historic Downtown Strand and much more. But what does this mean if you live there??

Every month, we throw a spotlight on neighborhoods around town that are great places to raise a family. We highlight facts and figures and give you a quick snapshot of what life is like in these communities in the hopes that we are able to educate you enough to make an informed decision when you start to consider relocating your family.

What are the first things that pop in every parent's minds when they are considering a new neighborhood for their family:
1 - Schools (Public or Private)
2 - Homes (Cost, Size, Style, Age, Taxes, Etc)
3 - Neighborhoods (Location, Safety, Parks/Recreation, Neighbors, Amenities, Etc.)
4 - Surrounding community (Safety, Restaurants, Shopping, Access to highways, Etc)
5 - Image (Neighborhood status, Notoriety, Sentimentality)

These can be in any order, but I believe them to be the top five reasons for choosing a neighborhood to call home. Let's examine each of them individually.

Overview

Obviously, the three concerns that come up when I consider living in Galveston are the commute to Houston for work, the threat of Hurricanes and the safety of my family due to the touristy nature of the island. But first, let’s take a look at the demographics.

Located at the southern end of I-45, Galveston is a part of Galveston County with a population around 57,466 comprised of a racial mix of roughly 50% Caucasian, 25% Hispanic and 25% African American.  The city inhabitants are young with a median age of 35 with 23% under the age of 18 and 58% of the households are families. Approximately 45% of household incomes range $50k+. In other words, this is a small town with the charm of truly knowing your neighbors and your community. I do not think it would take any family long to feel like they had lived there all their lives.

As far as the commute goes, let’s face it. In Houston, we drive. Whether you live in Katy or downtown, it seems like we are always popping in our cars to go somewhere. So, if you love the beach and the water, this 50 mile commute will be worth it. After all, if you come home to watch the sunset on the water, it is sure to melt away any of the stress incurred on the road!

The island is 208 square miles with 32 miles of beaches. So, if a hurricane is on its way, you are definitely not going to be able to avoid it. However, you can plan for it and be prepared. After all, hurricanes like Hurricane Ike are not likely to come along again for a very long time. So, my suggestion is to be smart, be prepared and enjoy the sun & surf.

As for safety concerns, the city of Galveston actually ranks lower than Houston on the crime scale but still pretty high. According to NeighborhoodScout.com, Galveston has one of the highest crime rates in America. So, if you are planning a move, this is definitely something to be aware of.

Schools

Public vs. Private

Galveston ISD serves approximately 8,400 children in one high school, three middle schools and seven elementary schools compared to HISD which has over 200,000 children in 296 schools. The district offers alternative education programs and accelerated instruction programs for all grade levels.

If you want to go the private school route, you have a few choices. There are approximately 9 private schools to choose from and they range in styles and philosophies from Montessori to Traditional. Your best bet is to choose the philosophy that best suits you and your child, make a list of those that fall into that category and take a tour. You will glean more from the tour and meeting the staff than any brochure or website can offer. Tuitions vary tremendously, so set your budget before you begin looking. You can definitely be swept away!

Homes

Whether you are interested in new construction or renovating a mid-century home, you have plenty to choose from in these areas. You will need to do some research and a lot of drive-bys to get a true feeling for the neighborhoods. As I mentioned earlier, there are so many neighborhoods, you may want to spend some time on the internet checking out your faves before you trek down for your drive-bys. Here are some price ranges for the neighborhoods mentioned above:

However, if the thought of building your dream home is tops on your list, then there are three home builders on this side of town that could make your dreams come true.

And new homes at Campbell Court (Prices range $379k - $427k)
Either way you choose, there is a home to fit every budget and lifestyle.