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Surfside Beach, Texas
Sixty miles south of Houston and just west of Galveston Island on Texas' central Gulf Coast, tiny Surfside Beach started out in the 1820s and was originally named Velasco after a Mexican general. In 1975, it renamed itself and today is a laid back seaside village. The old Coast Guard boathouse is its city hall. Oil rigs twinkle offshore at night.
On the Gulf Coast south of Houston, Little Surfside Beach is a Laid Back Seaside Village With a Four-Mile-Long Beach and a Boathouse as its City Hall
The four-mile-long beach is often crowded with sunbathers and swimmers. Thanks to deep water and long jetties, Surfside Beach has some of the area's most consistent waves, keeping the water dotted with surfers. Fishermen are happy here, too, enjoying both deep water and bank fishing. There are two marinas, an array of fishing guides and charters and a unique collection of restaurants with names such as Seahorse Bar and Grill and Sugar Skull Rolling Cafe. A few surf shops and a convenience store are also here. Horses and cars are allowed on some sections of the beach. The town sits between two migratory bird havens, the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge and the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge, both home to clapper rails, white ibis and horned larks. Many a birdwatcher is often seen peering at the sand and seagrass.
Stahlman Park has a crabbing pier, and its Bluewater Highway Trail is excellent for walkers, joggers, and golf carts. A paved trail in Jetty Park affords views of the channel, and the Thunder Road Boat Ramp leads to the Freeport shipping channel. Beachfront RV Resort draws a lot of "snowbirds." The Surfside Beach Marathon is unique as the only U.S. marathon run entirely on sand.
Nearly all homes are wood frame built on stilts. Many are vacation properties. The median home price is $425,000. Real estate prices have remained steady during the last year.
The population is 700 residents, with 44% age 45 or better. Thirty-two percent of locals hold a four-year college degree. The town has grown 25% during the last decade, and the cost of living meets the national average.
Summers bring daytime temperatures in the 80s and 90s, while winters are mild, ranging from the 30s to the 50s. The area receives around 50 inches of rain annually, often accompanied by a steady breeze. The hurricane threat is real, as Surfside Beach was damaged by flooding during Hurricane Ike in 2008, Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
There is no local hospital, but St. Luke's Health is 11 miles away in Lake Jackson. No public transit or library exists. The crime rate meets the national average. Politically, Surfside Beach leans to the left.
Coastal Texas stretches along the Gulf of Mexico, offering a blend of windswept beaches, barrier islands, and lively port towns. Cities like Galveston, Corpus Christi, and South Padre Island are popular for both tourism and retirement, thanks to their fishing, boating, and bird-watching opportunities as well as their relatively affordable seaside living.
This region is defined by its warm, humid climate and its culture that mixes Southern traditions with a laid-back coastal lifestyle. Texas' strong ties to the oil and shipping industries are visible here, too, with major ports loading and offloading cargo year round. At the same time, the area's natural beauty—spanning marshes, bays, and wildlife refuges—makes it a haven for those who enjoy outdoor recreation.
The entire state of Texas is considered tax friendly for retirees, although property taxes are high.
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