Vacation Home

[Cobra98]

Hi all. I am new to the Galveston fishing scene and would like some feedback concerning a vacation home.

I grew up and still live in Houston. However my family has always fished POC and Rockport.

Now that I have two small kids we are looking at purchasing a vacation home. I like the idea of Galveston due to location. Our only real requirement is to be on a canal.

Last week we looked at Jamaica Beach. What is the general opinion of this area? Can you access decent fishing from Jamaica Beach during the summer months?

Are there any other areas we should be considering? We don't have the largest budget. Something in the $250 - $400 range.

[WestEndAngler]

Jamaica Beach is like the middle of the West End...

https://www.sandnsea.com

[Robalo]

It has good points and bad. Fishing access is great. Police are so so-good part-trhey are always around so less thieves than other areas, bad part-they can give a lot of tickets to their own residents (stop signs, boat stuff-heck, while filling the boat at Valero, the JB Cop pulled up and said my boat numbers were in violation-no 3" betweeen the TX and numbers, so I fixed it). Water bills are minimum $78 or so, convenient to get gas/stores (Seven Seas-great meats). Also, no crummy City of Galveston politics and our Mayor let us back in before Lyda Ann Thomas did. Permitting for repairs is easier and cheaper than City of Galveston. For $250-400, you should get a pretty nice place. Check out the house for sale on Sandpiper on west side of JB-not far from bay.

[GGF]

We are looking to upgrade and plan to stay in JB for all of the reasons Robalo listed. There are also a lot of permament residents here so they keep an eye on things. Also, the property taxes are less.

The police can be a little anal at times, but we do have the lowest crime on the island. Once you get to know them though they are pretty decent.

[WestEndAngler]

I would rather have an anal police force then two missing waverunners, kicked in doors or thieves in your home while your sleeping! (All has happened in Pirates over last 6 months)

[Oleander Kayaker]

We had purchased a vacant lot and then built on it. You might consider that route. Building new $ are more competitive now and the new standards will get you a stouter structure and upgraded windows. Don't want to start a discussion on build versus buy, but it's the route we took.

[Cobra98]

What is an estimated price per square foot to build new in that area? $125 per sq. ft.?

[bjinks]

I would rather have an anal police force then two missing waverunners, kicked in doors or thieves in your home while your sleeping! (All has happened in Pirates over last 6 months)

Friend of mine in Pirate's was robbed over fourth of July weekend while they were at another friend's house in the neighborhood!

[jig head]

I moved to JB in February full time from Houston. I looked at homes in JB, Sea Isle, and Palm Beach. I've been very happy here. The fishing is good although different from POC and Rockport. The people here are nice and I like the anal cops. My work keeps me away from home a couple days a week and its nice to know by boat and kayaks are gona be there when I get back and I'm not worried when I forget to lock my door at 4am when I leave for work. From the beach side you can walk into the the state park where vehicles are not alowed. JB is closer to town to get supplies. However, sometimes I'm jelouse of Sea Isle's Marina, Restaurant/Bar, Smimming Pool and lighted fishing pier.

[Oleander Kayaker]

For budgeting purposes, yes. Ours turned out to be $100 cause we did the finishes ourselves (I wore out a couple pairs of knee pads doing the floor tile) and added an at grade slab a year later.

What is an estimated price per square foot to build new in that area? $125 per sq. ft.?