| |
Funky Rockport (population 9,500) is situated along Aransas Bay on the Texas Gulf Coast, about 35 miles northeast of Corpus Christi (population 285,000).
It is protected by public and private barrier islands, and its clean beaches, fishing
waters and birding areas have made it a low key tourist destination.
Rockport and Fulton, the village just to the north, are often considered one town
(total population of 11,000 people) and have a mature population with
half the residents age 45 or better.
|
|
Windswept, flat and dotted with live oaks, Rockport started out as a cattle processing center and ship building hub after the Civil
War. Today, fishing, shrimping and tourism support its
economy, and it is growing, nearly 30% in just the last decade.
The median home price is $155,000, and the overall cost of
living is 8% below the national average. Residents have a reputation for friendliness and
a conservative outlook. "Good ole boy" politics are
not unknown.Life here is safe, easygoing and often occurs in or on the water. Rockport Harbor houses the city marina, and mile-long, pebbly Rockport Beach Park is the main beach. It is also Texas' only certified Blue Wave Beach, meaning that it is one of the cleanest and safest beaches in the state. The water is shallow
and a little murky but without an undertow or rough waves.
It is a perfect spot for swimming, water skiing, windsurfing, kayaking and jet skiing.
|
Goose Island State Park, about 10 miles north and home to Texas' biggest tree, is a fisherman's delight, with speckled trout, red fish, drum, flounder and sheepshead all in good supply (as are crabs and oysters). Mustang Island State Park, about 15 miles from town, has 5 miles of beach, 300 beach camping spots and attracts birdwatchers, sunbathers, hikers and picnickers. Marinas, piers, 20,000 nearby acres of land-locked bays and Matagorda Island provide further
opportunities for fishing, boating and sunning. Huge Aransas National Wildlife Refuge has 400 species of birds, including large flocks of endangered whooping cranes.
|
|
Festivals are a Rockport staple. The Tropical Christmas Festival (food booths, entertainment, Polynesian dancers), the Rockport Gospel Festival (Christian vocal groups), the Rockport Art Festival (an auction, juried displays and lots of food and entertainment), the Rockport Festival of Wines
(tastings and cooking workshops) and Seafair (a sea-themed event with live bands, a carnival and a parade) are just a few. Rockport Market Days is a fun, monthly flea market. Restaurants are mostly diners and family-style, with an emphasis on hearty BBQ, pulled pork, Texas-style sausage and fresh seafood. |
The town has a growing arts community and boasts the Rockport Center for the Arts (three galleries, classes and workshops), 15 art galleries and a nationally known sculpture foundry. Residents also enjoy the Aquarium at Rockport, the Texas Maritime Museum, two golf courses, 30 churches and a YMCA. The Aransas Public Library provides free Internet access. The nearest international airport is in Corpus Christi.
There is no local public transportation, but the Texas Council on Aging, which manages the Senior Services Center, provides transportation to the Center and to local shopping areas and medical appointments. The Center also has activities (cards, fitness classes), noon meals, prescription assistance, home delivered meals and medical screening clinics.
Rockport does not have a hospital, but 75-bed Care Regional Medical Center is just 10 miles away in Aransas
Pass. Formerly bankrupt North Bay Hospital, it was sold in March, 2010
to a new company and is undergoing upgrades. Corpus Christi has 8
hospitals, several of which are award-winning. In town, there are a couple of medical clinics, including one that specializes in geriatric care, and emergency medical services are available through Emergency Medical Services, an ambulance and paramedic
company.
Summer temperatures reach the mid-90s, and humidity is high. There is usually a slight Gulf breeze, but summers are still hot and sticky. Winters are mild with temperatures in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Precipitation ranges from 2 to 4 inches of rain most months, but up to 6 inches fall in both September and October. The air quality and water quality are above the national average. The sun shines 220 days of the year. A hurricane or tropical storm brushes this area once every 4.35 years on average, and from all accounts, large, ravenous mosquitoes love
living here.
|
|
Mild winters, a mature
population, a low crime rate, an affordable cost of
living and an abundance of water recreation, fishing and
sunshine are pluses, but the hurricane threat, no public
transportation, a so-so hospital and mosquitoes the size
of bats should be taken into account when considering
Rockport for retirement.
|
|
Webwerxx, Inc. Copyright
2006-2011 | Contact
Us | Privacy Policy
| Mission
Statement | Legal
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be
reproduced in any way without the express written consent of Webwerxx, Inc.
Reproducing any original part of this publication without
written permission from Webwerxx, Inc. is plagiarism. Numerous attempts were made to verify the accuracy of the information contained
in this website, but some information may have changed since each
article and/or report went online, and Webwerxx, Inc. is not liable for
inaccurate information contained in its articles
and/or reports.
|
|
