We currently live in Phoenix, husband is retired, and I am still working. We are thinking of moving somewhere near a metropolitan city with a major international airport, but with affordable housing and nearby water and no snow. Galveston seems to fit those requirements. I may chose to continue working, maybe only part-time.

We like dining out and gourmet food shopping/cooking. DH likes billards and poker. I want to fish and boat, and maybe swim in fresh or salt water. Ages 50 and 65.

Thoughts?

You might consider some of the smaller cities around Galveston instead of Galveston itself. There are other cities where you can even have water access for a reasonable price. You might want to check out www.city-data.com for some statistics on the city. It is a much older city and I'm not sure how much gourmet food or shopping you will find. The Clear Lake City area might be more what you are looking for. Good Luck.

A close friend of mine just spent some months in Galveston - considering the possibility of a winter residence.

Her report:

Unbearably hot and humid as soon as you hit May

Extremely limited job opportunities (1 or 2 large government employers, then limited minimum wage jobs)

Minimal cultural life - and definitely not a place for foodies

(Now this is from an NYC perspective - so "cultural life" and "foodie" may mean different things.)

Galveston is what I'd considered a typical southern town, just located on the Gulf. Things you should definitely consider would be the heat and humidity (not limited to summer in the south) and hurricanes. There are some lovely old neighborhoods there - sorry, not familiar enough with them to name them. I think there are sufficent cultural arts for the area or within a short drive, but a NYC resident, or someone looking for urban resources in a small souther city, might find it lacking.

Have you visited there? I don't think the beaches compare to Florida's, if that's something important to you.

Is being right on the Gulf Coast important to you? If not, then I would consider somewhere in the general Clear Lake area. You would still have water accessibility, be only 20 or so minutes from Galveston island, and would also be closer to both Houston airports. Additionally, there would be very many more housing, shopping and entertainment options in that area. Just my two cents.