Former first lady Laura Bush visited Freeport in 2000 and helped start the Main Street Program. As a subprogram of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Texas Historical Commission, Freeport was finally recognized as a National Main Street city as of 2006. Preservation and renovation of this treasured area of Freeport is still underway today, but the progress is palpable!
Located at the mouth of the Brazos River on the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Freeport was founded by the Freeport Sulfur Company in November of 1912. Combining itself with Velasco, one of the oldest towns in Texas, Freeport incorporated on July 27, 1957. Growing from a population of 300 in 1912, this city has exploded with growth and now boasts a population of 12,501 residents! Dow Chemical Plant has been the city's largest and most important employer since constructing its facilities there in 1939. Freeport has also become a tourist destination along the Gulf of Mexico for its beautiful sandy beaches and warm, tropical Gulf waters. The birds and aquatic life that are native to the area make this a much-loved destination for birders and boaters alike. Fishermen are a common sight along the banks of the Brazos River, but so are water skiers carving through the wake and those out jet skiing for fun. The locals tend to be an active bunch, so if you favor an outdoorsy lifestyle set in a stunning tropical location, Freeport is just the place for you!
Moving to Freeport
Congratulations on your upcoming move to this sweet and nautical community! When is the best time of year to make that move, you wonder? Strangely enough, the best time of year to find exactly what you are looking for in a new home, without too much competition, is October through February. Freeport is a very popular vacation and tourist destination any time a holiday (during the warmer months) rolls around, so it's best to look during the slow season. Aside from choosing your moving month wisely, call upon a local real estate agent to show you what is available or will be coming available. Having an insider is really your best bet for finding unbeatable deals!
Freeport Neighborhoods
If you are new to the Freeport area, you are in for a treat! This ocean side community is known for its waterfront activities such as boating, sailing, and deep-sea fishing. There are two constituent neighborhoods in Freeport, described below, both of which offer spectacular amenities for those who choose to settle here. Get used to seeing water wherever you go though, because this city is connected through a series of bridges that allow you hop from one parcel of land to the next.
Quintana: Finding an apartment to rent in the Quintana neighborhood is relatively easy, and you have many varieties and choices available to pick from. This suburban, ocean-side community is surrounded by the Brazos River and the mouth of the Brazos Harbor. At its center, Bryan Lake and the Old Reservoir provide natural wetlands and protection from beach erosion due to storms that sometimes come ashore here. If you are searching for a one- or two-bedroom apartment for rent or a small- to medium-size house to rent (think one to three bedrooms), then your best bet for success will be to search between Hwy 288 and Brazosport Blvd. Remington Apartment Homes, located on Magnolia St., are a perfect solution if you are looking for an apartment with paid utilities.
City Center: Located on the east side of Brazosport Blvd. between East Union Bayou and Brazos Harbor, this port-side, breezy neighborhood is simply stunning. Apartments and homes for rent in this area of Freeport are typically small (think studio sizes) to medium (with one to four bedrooms), but the prices are completely reasonable. You are about 10 minutes from the Quintana Xeriscape Nature Reserve as well as the Quintana Neotropical Bird Sanctuary, both set along the gorgeous beaches that act as barriers between Freeport and the Gulf of Mexico.
Living in Freeport
Freeport is one of the breeziest cities in the state! It's a good thing, too, because temperatures can soar into the high 90s and occasionally top the 100-degree mark. In most other cities, people would just stay indoors and cozy up to the AC unit, but not in Freeport! At the height of summer, you can still thoroughly enjoy 18 holes at the Freeport Municipal Golf Course, because it is right on the water and you will always have a cooling breeze. Speaking of water, most weekends find the locals heading offshore for some deep-sea fishing or down to the Freeport Municipal Marina to go sailing. If you love the beach lifestyle, you will adore Freeport. Expect excellent seafood to become a part of your normal diet, because the shrimping and fishing industry is huge here. A local favorite foodie paradise is On The River Restaurant, located on W. 2nd St. It is home to the area's finest gulf shrimp and gulf oysters, harvested right offshore and brought in daily. If you have a passion for the sea, Freeport is just the city to satisfy your inner captain!
