I just wanted to take some time to comment on an article I recently read in this weeks Houston Chronicle.
You many view the article using the following link http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/4571804.html.
This article discusses how workers and residents of Galveston cannot afford to buy housing. I wanted to take some time to reflect on what I feel is the truth in reference to this article.
Galveston, Texas is a bit of a unique city to live in. We have a small number of major employers other then the standard employment opportunities such as schools, police, and the city infrastructure that is common. Our major source for jobs on the island is the University of Texas Medical branch which is a hospital and a medical school. We of course have the boating industry coupled with our number one income source which is tourism. I have lived in Galveston, Texas all of my life and I have seen what I personally believe is a welcome change over the recent years. Our city, and many of its long time residents do not welcome the tourism industry and all that it holds. Thankfully our city has seen a sort of revamping as we START to understand that we can be a HUGE tourist outlet and attract many long term investors and future residents that take pride in owning beach property. We are the thirds largest Marina port in the country, combined with the Kemah, Clear Lake area.
What disturbs me about this article is that the person who wrote it must not understand real estate on a national level. As an agent and home builder with a license in Texas and on the West coast I have seen just how unreasonable property is in other parts of the country. I have watched an individual, with the same income as many Galvestonians, purchase a home under 1500 square feet for around $300K and guess what, they did not have what I consider a huge asset, the beach. Does anyone on this island understand that the view they have each and every day is rare and precious to many home owners? I lived in the desert and after living at the beach it was a hard thing to grasp. Not being able to walk down the beach and smell the sea air is a hard habit to break. I sometimes wish all the people who lived in Galveston were forced to move away for a year so they they truly can understand just how lucky they are. If you don't want to live on an island then Galveston is really not for you. You can get a better deal up the road but you don't get to have the benefits of living at the beach. You also don't get the resale benefits that should increase as Galveston continues to grow.
I will say that cost of property in Galveston is definitely on the rise. Good news for the Galveston property owners who have waited and deserve to see the value of their beach front property appreciated. The condos that they are referencing are high (many also boast spectacular view that would coast you a million dollars elsewhere) but investors will pay for again, the beach life opportunity. I will agree that Galveston is not competitive with housing costs on the Mainland but again, you are living on an island surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico. If you want to live in Texas City and save money then you can do so but understand why there is a difference in price.
Galveston as a community does have some issues that should be addressed such as improving the school district. My sister taught in Galveston for many years and now she teaches in Clear Creek ISD (Clear Lake- Kemah). She made the move for many different reasons but she mainly appreciated the higher level of education Clear Creek offers and of course the slight pay raise. As if our teachers in this state are paid at all near what they should be making for educate the future of tomorrow.
We also have homes, on an island where housing is limited, that really should just be torn down in order to build decent housing. The island has parts that just look like it is in despair due to housing that has been neglected. Parts of the island are very unattractive and really should be addressed. Instead of making our island a economic success our mayor is worried about building cheap affordable housing so that we can offer poor people a place to live. I wonder if she would have the job she holds if this were say Santa Monica California, or even Florida for that matter.
Galveston, Texas is a great place to live and I am not saying this because I am an agent in Galveston, Texas. I am saying this because I have lived in 4 other states and always longed to come back to the beach. Sadly those 4 other states were more expensive to live in and I did not get the pleasure of grabbing a fishing pole and having an adventure with my kids at the spur of the moment. I never got to experience the beauty of the water on a clear day in Nevada and I certainly never got to go deep sea fishing in Arizona, yet property in Galveston is 3 times cheaper then the 2 states I just mentioned. Living in Galveston is a very personal choice and one that a true fisherman or surfer will make. If you just have a job that makes you come to the island 5 times a week but never appreciate its beauty then buy in Texas City, save maybe $10,000 and drive the 15 minutes. The 15 minutes, or 30 from Clear Lake, drive is very reasonable plus you STILL live VERY close to the beach and Clear Lake so it is a win, win situation for all. Housing in TEXAS is insanely affordable and we should be grateful that we still live in a state that has not experienced high property value inflation, partly brought on by the agents in areas such as Las Vegas (a different soap box for another day). Galveston property value will continue to raise as we continue to make the island a truly wonderful and beautiful place to live. It is STILL one of the most affordable beach communities to live in. As with any purchase many factors should and will play into your decision. Just do your research and make sure you compare this island and other communities of likeness around the country then YOU decide.
You can view and search all Galveston, Texas and mainland property at www.Galveston4sale.com. You can also view West Coast prices by visiting my Las Vegas website at www.LasVegas4sale.net ;
We also serve the San Antonio, Texas region with www.SanAntonio4sale.net, our newest web service just started last year.
Christina Stevens
Team Stevens
Realty Associates