Bacliff is a place with burgeoning appeal
An error bestowed Bacliff with its unique name. But more and more people are finding this Southeast Houston-area enclave to be the correct fit. Population growth here in the mid-20th century necessitated the establishment of a new post office in the area, which was originally named Clifton-by-the-Sea. Clifton-by-the-Sea was too long of a name, though, the postal service determined. Locals, in turn, settled on “Bay Cliff” as a new name. The moniker was misspelled as “Bacliff” on postal service paperwork, however. Still, “Bacliff” stuck.
Today, Bacliff is a magnet for new construction and, subsequently, new residents, who can find more accessible prices here than some other nearby communities. The property taxes in Bacliff are lower than in area towns like Texas City and Dickinson, says local Realtor Clarissa Woodward of Keller Williams Realty Clear Lake/NASA. “It is a draw, like, ‘Hey, we want to go check out these homes in Bacliff,’” says Woodward. “More and more each year.”
Variety abounds in this suburb
While there’s been a good bit of recent construction in Bacliff, there are homes here that date back to the 1950s, too, creating an eclectic mix of architectural styles that span a wide timeline. There are quite a few single-story bungalows and ranch-style homes here, mobile homes, colonials and new traditional options. The common denominator is that properties in Bacliff come with at least a bit of lawn space, on lots between one-tenth and fourth-tenths of an acre. Some properties here face Galveston Bay, complete with their own piers and docks out back. The community’s coastal location puts much of the area at risk for flooding, though. Prices in Bacliff start in the mid-$100,000s, for a smaller home or one that may need some work, and can climb to more than $1 million for a house by the water pushing 5,000 square feet. “They’re often at a lower price point than what that home would cost in a different city,” says Woodward, who has been in the real estate industry since 2006.
Main artery a convenient asset
Bacliff unfurls in the shadow of Texas State Highway 146, which doubles as the area’s main commercial thoroughfare. Commuters in the area can take advantage of their proximity to Highway 146 for commutes around the rest of the Southeast Houston area and beyond. For instance, 146 connects with Highway 225 for trips toward Downtown Houston, about three dozen miles away. Bacliff also has several stops in the Gulf Coast Transit District bus system.
Dining and shopping is easy to find
Locals can follow Highway 146 for many of their dining and retail needs. There’s a Dollar General and multiple chain eateries, including Subway and Domino’s, along this stretch. The thoroughfare also features the family-owned spot La Brisa Mexican Bar & Grill, whose margaritas are beloved. Keep going north along 146, into Kemah, to reach a Walmart Supercenter, Target and The Home Depot. Also, Bacliff’s waterfront provides the setting for another of the area’s most popular local haunts: Noah's Ark Restaurant & Bar, whose oysters and catfish are well-liked.
Multiple opportunities for outdoor fun
There are numerous ways to enjoy a nice day in the Bacliff area. For one, the north side of this community offers the almost 2-acre Matthew D. Wiggins Park, formerly Cien Park, which comes complete with a covered basketball court, sand volleyball court and a playground. The 64-acre Bayside Regional Park in Bacliff's south end has a sizable pavilion and playground. This park includes the Bayside Community Center, which is aimed toward those 55 and older, offering activities like crafts, games and exercise classes. Bayshore Park, a bit farther south, provides waterside fun along the Galveston Bay, including fishing and a boat ramp.
Area schools vary
Kids in Bacliff can attend schools in either the Dickinson Independent School District or the Clear Creek Independent School District depending on where they live. The Dickinson ISD, which carries a B rating on Niche, covers the southern half of the community and it’s where students can start at the B-minus-rated Kenneth E. Little Elementary. K.E. offers activities like dance parties and ice cream socials for good attendance. Students can then progress to the C-plus-rated Dunbar Middle, whose extracurricular opportunities include band, choir and drama programs. Kranz Junior High is next up, a school with an A-minus grade and its own robotics group. The district’s B-rated Dickinson High is known in part for its football program, a perennial contender in District 24-6A. “One of the best football programs in the entire state, next to Katy, I think, closest to Houston,” Woodward says.
Those on the northern half of Bacliff, within the Clear Creek ISD zone, can go to LaVace Stewart Elementary to start, an A-minus-rated school with an active PTA. Then they can move on to the A-minus-rated Bayside Intermediate, where clubs range from a marine science group to a debate group. Then the A-rated Clear Falls High offers the opportunity to join honor societies in everything from mathematics to art.
Bayshore Park a community hub
Bacliff’s Bayshore Park not only provides an opportunity for outdoor fun by the water but it also has served as the site for a range of community events. The list includes an annual trade show in April organized by the group Sisters Helping Sisters, benefitting women battling breast cancer.
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Fox
Video By
Hunter Severtson
