Enormous, windswept Live Oaks dominate the landscape, looking as if they are caught and frozen by a strong wind blowing overland from the Gulf of Mexico. Texas' oldest live oak, aptly named the Big Tree, has an estimated age of nearly 2,000 years and resides on Lamar Peninsula.
Named for the ledge of rock that lies beneath its shore, Rockport is a city in Aransas County that is home to 8,978 residents and growing with each new year! Located on Live Oak Peninsula, sandwiched between Aransas and Copano Bay, the area was founded just after the Civil War as a cattle slaughtering, packing and shipping port
Enormous, windswept Live Oaks dominate the landscape, looking as if they are caught and frozen by a strong wind blowing overland from the Gulf of Mexico. Texas' oldest live oak, aptly named the Big Tree, has an estimated age of nearly 2,000 years and resides on Lamar Peninsula.
Named for the ledge of rock that lies beneath its shore, Rockport is a city in Aransas County that is home to 8,978 residents and growing with each new year! Located on Live Oak Peninsula, sandwiched between Aransas and Copano Bay, the area was founded just after the Civil War as a cattle slaughtering, packing and shipping port. By 1871, Rockport incorporated as a city and by the 1890s, the boat building and fishing industries began to grow and provide another boon to the local economy. It is amazing how much this little city has grown and changed over the past century. Modern day Rockport has become a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world. Popular with kite-boarders for the never ending supply of coastal wind, as well as with fishermen and boating fanatics for fishing and water skiing.
Moving to Rockport
Rockport is not only a tourist destination, but a safe haven for all of its residents, even the non-human ones. So the best times of year to visit this stunning Gulf-side city are unfortunately not the same time of year you'd actually want to try and move here. The competition is just way too stiff. So if you can wait, plan to make your move between late September and early March. March is the beginning of tourist season with spring break, and the entire area is flooded with tourists buying, renting, eating and totally enjoying themselves.
When you begin your search, best bet is to call one of the numerous local real estate agents that are professionals when it comes to searching out the best deals. There are quite a few in the area because the rental industry is positively booming in these parts, so finding one will be a cinch. Once you have someone on your side doing all the footwork, so to speak, as long as you have your documents in order (ID, rental history, credit check and money for deposits and fees), you should be on your way to a new home in one of the prettiest cities in the state!
Rockport's Neighborhoods
Rockport has 3 distinct neighborhoods that will charm the socks right off of you! To give you an idea of the differences, we have briefly described the neighborhoods below.
Mazatlan Dr / Lauderdale Dr: If you are looking for a house to rent in Rockport and having a view of the water sounds like the ideal situation for a relaxing and nautical lifestyle, then this is absolutely the neighborhood you want to search first. You will find studio, one and two bedroom houses for rent in this neighborhood, some are even up on stilts! Besides keeping things dry in case of a tidal surge from the occasional hurricane, they usually offer excellent views of the surrounding Aransas Bay. Rockport Beach Park is just across the Little Bay, and is an extremely popular place to jog, bike or enjoy a peaceful walk at sunset. If you are into water sports, the Key Allegro Marina is also in this neighborhood as well as the Key Allegro Yacht Club. Kayakers, paddle boarders and anyone with a love of fishing will think they've died and gone to saltwater heaven!
City Center: This suburban neighborhood is the perfect area for those who might be commuting to any of the surrounding cities because Highway 35 N runs right through the west side of downtown. Rental housing in the city center is a bit easier than finding one in the Mazatlan/Lauderdale neighborhood because it is about a mile back from the shores of Aransas Bay. The city center is thick with the live oaks that dominate this area. These enormously wide giants cast gorgeous shadows over what would otherwise be an extremely hot and humid area during the summer months. Rental property in the center of town comes in the form of single family homes, mobile homes, beach style cottages, small apartment complexes and extremely nice RV Parks that tend to be popular with what locals call, the Winter-Texans. The Rockport Center for the Arts is over on Navigation Circle and is a very important outlet for many of the local artists in the community.
FM 1069 / S Kossuth St: This is the southernmost neighborhood in Rockport that stretches from the shores of Aransas Bay inland, just beyond Highway 35. Renting an apartment between S. Bronte St. and the shores of the Bay will cost a fraction more than rental properties located from S. Bronte St. west towards Highway 35. The reason has to do with the beach access and just how close you really want to be for the killer views. No matter where you choose in this neighborhood, the beach is only a five minute walk or a two minute car ride at most. Condominiums and cottage style beach hotels are dotted along Water Street and really fill up during the tourist season, which generally lasts from late spring through early September.
Living in Rockport
Living in Rockport is anything but dull! Annual festivals and celebrations include the Rockport Seafair, Oysterfest, The Wine Festival (yes, they celebrate the grapes!), Hummingbird Festival, Rockport Film Festival and the Rockport Art Festival.
As for food, there is a serious food revolution happening in the area. Glow, on Broadway St. in a nondescript boathouse overlooking Little Bay, features an exquisitely executed, completely brilliant combination of fine dining meets down-home comfort food. Whatever you order, you must finish by having the Chocolate Pot for desert.
Rockport is on its own time and many residents feel, its own sort of reality. They call it Island-Time (which means chill out and have patience) and the locals will gently remind you with a look and a smile if you get too antsy!
