Orange County, where Bridge City is located, is home to the busiest Travel Information Center on Interstate Highway 10, which intersects Texas and Louisiana. So, if you have a question, they probably have an answer for it.
Deep in the sub-heart area of Texas lies the unique town of Bridge City
Orange County, where Bridge City is located, is home to the busiest Travel Information Center on Interstate Highway 10, which intersects Texas and Louisiana. So, if you have a question, they probably have an answer for it.
Deep in the sub-heart area of Texas lies the unique town of Bridge City. Only accessible by bridges, thus earning its moniker, this southwestern town bordering Louisiana has more going for it than cowpokes and Tex-Mex, though it certainly has those too. It also has a population of seriously adventurous folks, who love making the most of their location on the water, whether it's bird watching along Blue Elbow Swamp or boating on Sabine Lake. Whether you want to dip your toes in the lapping waves or grab a pint of craft beer with a coworker, Bridge City pretty much has you set. All you need now is a ten-gallon hat and a hearty spirit to conquer this wet, western land.
If you're moving to Texas for the first time, you'll probably discover it's not always what it's made out to be. For instance, the intimidating statement "Don't Mess With Texas" is actually just an anti-littering campaign. But other things will be spot on. There is a lot of pride here and good country people. There are a few other things you should know before marching into the Lone Star State or Bridge City, but here are some helpful clues to assist you on your journey.
Proper Paperwork
There's nothing worse than negotiating the terms of a rental property, getting psyched up to find a new place only to discover your credit score isn't what you thought it would be. Though it may not be fun, you should always check your score before beginning any house hunt, regardless of where you're headed. If it's not what you expected, make sure you suss out any inaccurate information and get it fixed pronto. If your score is correct but less than inspiring, round up some appropriate references to have your back when speaking with a prospective landlord. Besides your credit report, you'll also need your ID, pay stubs, and a cashier's check to cover your security deposit. Keep all your info together in a file or a handy location. You won't want to dash all over looking for them when you need them.
Renters are few and far between here, so you're going to have to plan to search for your ideal rental house or one bedroom apartment for a while. Give yourself a couple months to find something to your liking. You don't want to get stuck accepting something less than livable because you waited until the last second, unless you really, really like camping.
Wide-Open Spaces
One of the many major benefits of migrating to Texas is all the space, endless acres of space. You can see this feature in housing floor plans as well, as your bedrooms are likely to be larger than average, and certainly bigger than you'd find in an urban environment. Love new, modern houses and apartment buildings built in the last fifteen years? Bridge City has a great selection, many offering the latest amenities from upgraded kitchens to oversized closets. Prefer the beauty and comfort of character-filled older residences? Don't worry; Bridge City has your back on that too. A sizable quantity of rental properties was built between 1940 and 1980. One of those eras will fit you to a T.
Bridge City is a bit too wee to offer traditional neighborhood districts like you might find in big cities like San Francisco and New York, but each area has distinguishing characteristics that make them special. One or more of these qualities might make a place better for you, so pay close attention to the following descriptions.
East of Texas Avenue: Lots of pretty, cookie-cutter cute homes with spacious backyards that probably all have pools and fire pits. Neighbors are friendly, but no one's too close. The east side has access to Sabine River. As for apartments, try Sunrise East Apartments or Villas at Cow Bayou.
Texas Avenue: Highway 87, also known as Texas Avenue, splits Bridge City diagonally. It's the center of all that's going on in town. If you want to stick close to the businesses, restaurants, and other commercial options, stay close to Texas Ave. It also gives you direct access to the bridges out of the city. Need a sweet luxury apartment near the action? Try Tuscany Village Luxury Townhomes or Village Apartments.
West of Texas Avenue: More pretty homes of various sizes and shapes spaced apart well but closer to parks and other institutions. Lots of new builds here, if you're looking for something with that new home smell, but very few apartment buildings.
Recreation
There's more to Bridge City than its bedroom community label implies. Sure, lots of people head to Beaumont or LA for some fun times or work hours, but even within town limits you can enjoy boating, fishing, off-roading, and hiking to your heart's content. If you feel the need to get some shopping in, Houston is only about an hour away, so enjoy the big city for a weekend, or act a little wild on a weeknight.
Weather
You don't have to worry about shoveling snow in south Texas, nor do you need to fear crazy desert heat thanks to the proximity of the gulf (though there is that humidity). What you do need to worry about is hurricanes. Bridge City took a licking back in 2008 from Ike and it barely recovered. Make sure you get flood insurance along with your typical renter's insurance whenever you settle into your favorite place. Hurricanes that ravage towns are rare, so you can enjoy the weather most of the time, but it's important to always be prepared.
Transportation
Bridge City enjoys a lower than average cost of living, so that should help make the transition easy from wherever you are to here. But you are going to need a car to get around. The walk score for Bridge City is a fairly dismal 40. If you live close to the center of town, you can hit some fast food or coffee shops, but don't expect to get any real chores done by foot. As for public transportation, it's pretty limited. Beaumont has bus service, but chances are it's not going everywhere you need to. It's probably a good idea to get a car.
Bridge City has low crime, low cost of living, and few cares. The people here are warm, welcoming and proud of their little town. You can be a part of its growth and its outstanding boating lifestyle easy-peasy, just come prepared to enjoy Tex-Mex and mud bugs.
Best market dealsThese units are the best deal in town.