Laid-back Coastal Lifestyle
Despite being one of the biggest cities in Texas and having a population of over 326,000, life in Corpus Christi is pretty laid-back. It’s really nothing you’d expect from a city with towering buildings. People have given up their shoes for a comfy pair of flip-flops, and they collectively sport that “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” attitude. If a relaxing atmosphere is one of your reasons for wanting to retire at the beach, you should consider retiring in Corpus Christi.
Wind and Water Sports
A place packed with thrill and adventure, Corpus Christi is a prime destination for a wide variety of wind and water sports. The high average wind speeds in the city allow residents and tourists alike to regularly enjoy sports like windsurfing, kiteboarding, sailing, surfing and parasailing. Even if you didn’t know how to do any of this, there are plenty of beginner classes to help you learn. If you still think it’s a little too intense, there’s always kayaking.
Social Life
It’s perfectly normal to worry about social life when you think about moving to a new place or retiring at the beach. But there’s no cause for worry in Corpus Christi as there are various meetup communities available to help you find new friends. Corpus Christi Meditation, Corpus Fishing Club, Corpus Christi Writers Blogging Club are just a few examples. The nightlife in the city is also pretty energetic. From karaoke to trivia nights to live music, there are tons of stuff to do at night.
Fishing and More
Fishing is a big deal in Corpus Christi and many types of fishing are offered here including pier fishing, offshore fishing, fly fishing, kayak fishing and jetty fishing. Head over to Padre Island Balli Park for some of the best fishing in the city. If you want to diversify your retirement activities, try your hand at waterfowl hunting. Learn to hunt a duck, cool, teal or geese. There are also opportunities to hunt white-tailed deer and feral hogs.
Thriving Arts and Culture Scene
Corpus Christi has an extremely vibrant arts and culture scene that will surely satisfy your hunger for art, creativity and history. Marvel at art pieces at one of the city’s art venues and galleries or visit a museum for a day of learning. The city actually has its own little museum district located near USS Lexington, the WWII aircraft carrier which now serves as a naval aviation museum. Just some of the museums you can find here are the Art Museum of South Texas, the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History and the Museum of Asian Cultures.
Desirable Climate
Corpus Christi’s climate makes it possible for retirees to spend most days of the year outdoors. The coldest month is January, with average highs of 67°F and average lows of 47°F. It does get pretty hot in the summer, with an average high of 93.5°F in August, its hottest month. But it’s still cooler than the majority of the places in the state. It also gets less rain than many top beach retirement locations with just 33 inches per year.
Social Events and Happenings
The city organizes so many events throughout the year that you’re guaranteed to find something to participate in. Apart from the usual weekly events involving music, art, food, sports and other things, Corpus Christi also has a good number of annual festivals that never fail to draw in big crowds. An annual festival for birding enthusiasts, a festival celebrating the life and legacy of singer Selena Quintanilla Perez, the Lunar New Year festival, the Texas Jazz Festival and the Day of the Dead (Dia de Los Muertos) Festival are just some of the highlights.
Fun, Wholesome Activities
It won’t be hard to convince your family and friends to visit you every year if you retire at the beach, especially if you retire in Corpus Christi. Because apart from art and cultural offerings and annual festivals, the city also has numerous attractions that’ll keep anyone coming back for more. Spend a day with your loved ones at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, or take the entire family to the Texas State Aquarium to watch and learn more about interesting sea creatures. If they want something more hands-on, you could take them to FunTrackers Amusement Park.
Diverse Beaches
Corpus Christi is mostly known for its beaches with each of them having its own feel, characteristics and set of experiences. For a more relaxing vibe featuring calm waters and soft sand, go to McGee Beach or North Beach. For surfing, watching people surf or watching people in general, go to North Packery Beach. And for a more exotic feel, go to the Padre Island National Seashore to explore 70 miles of untouched, undeveloped coastline.
Cost of Living
The lower cost of living is one of the most surprising things about Corpus Christi. It’s a big city right next to beautiful beaches, yet it doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. It’s an affordable place to be, whether you’re raising a family, living your retirement there or visiting for a fun, memorable vacation. There’s no income tax, the median monthly rent is $940 and the median home price is $146,200. No doubt, Corpus Christi is one of the best beach retirement places America has to offer.