Corpus Christi is the 8th largest city in Texas, covering 452.2 square miles, 124.3 of which are land, and 327.9 of which are water. The city is well-known as being a popular spring break and vacation destination in Texas, although there are plenty of residents too – well more than half a million, in fact. The city is known for its laid back, friendly attitude, and for its coastal beauty, situated as it is on the Gulf Mexico. It’s truly a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
A Bit of Corpus Christi History
Legend has it that long ago, as long ago as 1519 in fact, on the Roman Catholic Feast Day of Corpus Christi, Spanish explorer Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda discovered a beautiful, semi-tropical bay on the southern coast of Texas. The bay, and later the city that was founded, Corpus Christi, literally means "body of Christ". Since its official incorporation in 1852 as a frontier trading post, the city has grown steadily, particularly after becoming an important strategic site for the Americans during the Mexican-American War. The city continued to grow steadily at that time, as both a center of tourism and industry. Today, the major industries in Corpus Christi are the petrochemical, military, and tourism. Beyond the job opportunities available, however, those who move to Corpus Christi will find a welcoming city with beautiful scenery, friendly people, and plenty to see and do.
A Few Fun Facts About Corpus Christi
Read more fun facts about Corpus Christi here.
The LGBTQ Community in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community in many ways, and offers a variety of LGBTQ community resources some of which include:
PFLAG Corpus Christi is the city’s chapter of the national PFLAG organization. PFLAG is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the United States, and for many years, it has played a critical and very important role as a provider of education, advocacy, support, networking opportunities, and resources to LGBTQ communities across the country. Monthly meetings and other community-building events and resources are regularly offered.
Coastal Bend Pride Center strives to be a home for Corpus Christi's LGBTQ community and to provide resources, tools, and space to empower its members to achieve wellness, connect with one another and the broader community, and advocate for justice and equality.
What’s the Weather Like in Corpus Christi?
Corpus Christi residents can count on hot summer days full of sunshine and plenty of heat – in fact, temperatures typically reach around 94° in July and August. The trade-off for a couple of very warm summer months, however, is beautiful and fairly pleasant weather for most of the rest of the year. In fact, there are five months of the year where temperatures are a pleasant average of between 70-85°. Winters aren't very cold either, with January lows dropping only to an average of around 48°. Corpus Christi receives slightly less than the national average amount of rainfall per year and almost no snow.
The Best Events in Corpus Christi
Pride Corpus Christi is the city’s annual pride celebration – and for more than twenty years, it has been a celebration that visitors and residents alike don’t want to miss. The week offers parties, parades, networking opportunities, family-friendly activities, and more. It’s a week well worth waiting for each year!
Texas Sandfest is the largest sand sculpture competition in the United States. Held in nearby Port Aransas, his internationally recognized three-day family event draws renowned sculptors from around the world, as well as thousands of visitors. Even better, it is a festival with a mission to give back to the community by raising funds for local charities as well as scholarships for high school students.
Where to Live in Corpus Christi
Some larger cities often tend to have one or two neighborhoods that are traditionally considered "gayborhoods", due to their popularity within the LGBTQ community. This is not so in Corpus Christi – although that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of wonderful neighborhoods to choose from. If there were to be one neighborhood, in particular, that tends to be slightly more popular with the LGBTQ community, however, it would be Rockport. The Rockport neighborhood is popular with artists, musicians, and many others, and it is characterized by small studios and comfortable homes. Single-family homes can range in price anywhere from the low $100,000s to over $13 million, and condos are available in a wide range of prices as well, all tending to increase the closer they are in proximity to the ocean. The median price of homes currently listed in Rockport is approximately $257,000.
Arts and Entertainment
The Art Museum of South Texas is an excellent suggestion for anyone who loves regional arts, crafts, and culture. Since the 1970s, the gleaming white walls of the museum have been a well-known Corpus Christi landmark, and the contents inside are just as beautiful. The amazing collection housed here is broad enough to satisfy a wide variety of interests, and perusing the collection is an inspirational and wonderful way to spend the day.
The Harbor Playhouse is a local performing arts theatre group in Corpus Christi. It is widely considered to be one of the oldest and highest quality performing theater groups in all of Texas, and a wide variety of shows in many styles are presented for delighted audiences each year. It has been doing so since 1925, and it is one bit of Corpus Christi culture that you won’t want to miss!
Parks and Recreation
The Texas State Aquarium, located in Corpus Christi, is the largest aquarium in Texas and one of the largest in the United States. The aquarium features not only mini impressive displays of fish and aquatic life of all kinds from around the world - it also features exhibits displaying bird life, insect life, and plant life from a variety of ecosystems around the world as well. Truly, it is a fascinating and fun place to spend an afternoon.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore is located in Corpus Christi on the southern coast of Texas. While South Padre Island is often known for its party scene and large crowds, Padre Island National Seashore, by contrast, is an untouched and relatively pristine piece of seashore wilderness. In fact, North Padre Island is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. Both stretches of beach are beautiful and enjoyable for different reasons, and both are excellent choices for enjoying a sunny Corpus Christi day.
Corpus Christi Nightlife
The Hidden Door is a popular Corpus Christi LGBTQ nightspot and the oldest. Since 1980, the bar has been welcoming patrons, serving cocktails, and encouraging community. It’s well-known for its happy hour specials, theme nights, parties, and events, and it’s one spot you won’t want to miss on your night out.
Connect Night Club is known for its lively dance floor, loud music, and strong drinks. It’s very popular with Corpus Christi’s LGBTQ community, and it’s a great spot to dance the night away and have plenty of fun.
Contact a Corpus Christi Gay Realtor Today
If you think Corpus Christi would be a great place to call home and you’re ready to take the first step toward finding a home you love in a neighborhood that’s a great fit for you, we’re here to help. Having the assistance and guidance of a realtor who knows and loves the community can make a world of difference in your home-buying experience. contact a Corpus Christi gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
