Beaumont

Port Beaumont is a neighborhood located on the west of the city at the Port of Beaumont, a bustling port lined with industrial plants and refineries. Will Johnson, a Realtor and owner of William T.J. Realty, says that he's had clients over the years who work in Houston but choose to live in Beaumont because the cost of living is much more manageable. <br><br>Beaumont has a population of about 113,000, which means there’s not a lot of traffic or congestion, even during rush hour. Residents of Beaumont, and Port Beaumont in particular, have a lot in common with Houston, their neighbors 90 minutes to the west. There are a lot of oil and gas workers in Port Beaumont and, in many ways, the quality of life is better because the dollar goes a lot further here. For example, the cost of housing in Beaumont is about 39% less than in Houston. <br><br>In Port Beaumont, a new two-story traditional farmhouse-style home with four bedrooms costs about $200,000 and a small two-bedroom midcentury shotgun cottage sells for roughly $65,000. Of course, prices are influenced by the condition and location of the house. But these prices demonstrate how far your paycheck can go when you have a Port Beaumont address. <br><br>There aren’t many walkable cities in Texas, thanks, in part, to the scorching heat about half the year. But in Port Beaumont, if you wanted to walk to a neighborhood bar or an art gallery, you could. Locals love catching live bands at Nell’s Place and Texas Rose Saloon. The Art Studio, a neighborhood staple since the 1980s, has exhibitions and art classes throughout the year. For residents who prefer being outdoors, there’s also that option. According to Beaumont Visitors and Convention Center, Charlton Pollard Park, on Irving Avenue, is an iconic neighborhood institution. It has a pool, jogging trail, and basketball and tennis courts. The city council recently approved funding for major upgrades. <br><br>There are a couple of good grocery stores just a few minutes from Port Beaumont. Kroger is on the west side of Interstate 10 and an H-E-B is even closer to the neighborhood, on College and South 11th streets. <br><br>While Port Beaumont is only separated from Downtown by South Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, the neighborhood doesn’t feel or look urban. The two-lane streets are quiet and yards are spacious. When you put in long hours at one of the refineries at the port, or at one of the medical centers downtown, coming home to Port Beaumont is, as they say, a sight for sore eyes. <br><br>Kids who live in Port Beaumont can enroll at Charlton-Pollard Elementary School. Several more public, private and charter schools are close to Port Beaumont, on the other side of MLK Parkway and College Street. <br><br>Living in the big city is not for everyone. And if you have a modest budget when buying your new home, Port Beaumont has a lot of options. Will, the Beaumont real estate agent, says, “If the big city is too expensive for you, then Beaumont will be your best friend.”

Downtown Beaumont is a blend of quiet, residential streets and busy corridors lined with businesses, restaurants and museums. It’s also home to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital and Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, two major city employers. “There are a lot of lawyers’ offices and banks and those types of businesses down there. And outside of that there are a lot of oil and gas industries that are nearby. It’s got an industrial feel, but it’s not like there’s a lot of smoke in the air or anything,” says David Smith, a Realtor and team leader with LPT Realty, who lives in the area. “There’s a big push to beautify downtown. The city has a plan in place to bring new businesses in. They’re painting murals on the old buildings. It’s going to look a lot different in a few years.” Beaumont is a city in southeastern Texas, located 90 miles east of Houston. It's been ranked as one of the most affordable cities in the county by U.S. News & World Report. The median home sale price is about $200,000 — half the national average. “If Houston is too expensive for you, then Beaumont will be your best friend,” says Will Johnson, a southeast Texas broker, agent and owner of William T.J. Realty. While Downtown Beaumont is inundated with fast food chains, those restaurants are mostly concentrated around the more urban parts of the neighborhood like College Street and Interstate 10. Beyond Whataburger and Olive Garden, there are mom-and-pop eateries like Rosie’s Soul Food on Hazel Avenue and numerous taquerias, barbecue and seafood joints. There are several supermarkets, too, including H-E-B Plus on College Street and Kroger on the west side of Interstate 10. The Beaumont Commercial District has numerous buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including high rises constructed in the early 1930s. Downtown Beaumont has a CAP Index Crime Score of 5 out of 10, slightly higher than the national average of 4. Interstate 10 lines Downtown Beaumont’s northern border and a 90-mile trip west leads to Houston and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport which offers direct flights to more than 100 U.S. locations and non-stop tickets to over 60 international locations. Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital, a 431-bed facility, is located on Calden Avenue and the 508-bed Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas is on College Street. The west side of Downtown Beaumont is home to a thriving arts and museum district, which includes the Art Museum of Southeast Texas and Beaumont Children’s Museum on Main Street. Over on Walnut Street, the Fire Museum of Texas offers exhibits dedicated to the history of firefighting. And on Pennsylvania Avenue, there’s Temple to the Brave, which was built as a tribute to those who have fought for and defended the country. The Julie Rogers Theatre for the Performing Arts is housed in an historic building on Pearl Street and is home to the city’s ballet, symphony and opera. Central Park on South Fourth Street has a castle-themed playground, basketball and tennis courts. Downtown Beaumont is not a dense urban area. Much of it consists of ranch houses and shotgun cottages on quiet, two-lane streets. In the Oaks Historic District, there are larger, four- and five-bedroom homes in a variety of architectural styles, including Craftsman and Colonial Revivals. Cozy shotgun cottages range from $60,000 to $150,000, while five-bedroom homes in the historic district go for $200,000 to $350,000. The Oaks Historic District’s neighborhood association is very active and has been successful in advocating for amenities like parks and a dog run. They also maintain infrastructure, such as streetlights, signs and sidewalks. This part of Texas knows to keep a careful eye on the forecast come hurricane season, and some properties still show signs of damage from storms past. Hurricane Harvey hit particularly hard in August 2017, dumping more than 40 inches of rain fell on the area. Downtown Beaumont is served by the Beaumont Independent School District. Public school students may start off at Caldwood Elementary, which earns a C-minus Niche grade, before moving on to B-minus rated Odom Middle and C-minus rated Beaumont United High. Students at the high school can earn college credit through a dual enrollment program with Texas Lamar Institute of Technology.

Named by the U.S. News and World Report as the sixth Most Affordable Place to Live in the US and sixth Best Place to Live in Texas, Beaumont is known for its high quality of life compared to its low cost of living and ample job opportunities. Residents in North End reap the benefits of this lifestyle, living in a neighborhood where the median price for a single-family home is $130,000 and parks, restaurants and shops are a short drive away. Due to its low cost of living, Beaumont is a commuter city for workers in Houston, and the Texas Department of Transportation's current construction on Interstate 10 and US Route 69 will soon make the commute even more convenient. "Beaumont may be a small city, but big changes are on the way," says Realtor William Johnson, the owner of William T.J. Realty and a top-performing agent in the greater Houston area. Homes in North End are a mix of small single-story bungalows and new constructions, often two-story American traditional-style homes with brick or vinyl facades. Closer to downtown Beaumont, the neighborhoods are denser, and the homes on the northern side of the area sit on larger lots. The median price for a single-family home in North End is about $130,000, starting at around $115,000 for older homes and getting as high as $290,000 for new builds. Students in North End attend schools in the Beaumont Independent School District, starting with Jones-Clark Elementary School or Martin Elementary School. Then, they continue to Smith Middle School before graduating from Beaumont United High School. All these schools received C-minus ratings on the educational review site Niche. Nearby private school options include St. Anne Catholic School, which enrolls students in preschool through eighth grade; Calvary Tabernacle Beaumont Christian Academy, which enrolls students in preschool through twelfth grade; and All Saints Episcopal School, which enrolls students in preschool through eighth grade and received an A-plus on Niche. North End has several neighborhood parks that make it easy for residents to get outside, like Cottonwood Park, which has a playground and basketball court, and Pine Street Park, which has a splash pad, picnic pavilion and tennis court. Collier's Ferry Park is a riverside park on the Neches with a 1.8-mile walking trail, playground and picnic tables, but it's mostly known for its waterfront access. With a large dock and four boat ramps, it's a popular spot to get on the water and go fishing or crabbing from the shore or the pier. To cool off in the hot Texas summers, residents head to the public Magnolia Swimming Pool or the Neches River Saltwater Barrier, which is a part of the Big Thicket Preserve. Popular for its fishing and swimming, the park has a scenic kayak loop perfect for spotting wildflowers and wildlife. Some of the best restaurants in Beaumont are right around North End, like Crazy Cajun, whose crawfish Texans drive from all over the southeast part of the state to get a bite of, and Café Del Rio, the best spot in town to sip a happy hour margarita on the patio. Up north, Rock'n Crab is another popular seafood spot, especially for those who prefer spicy fish, and the nearby Louisiana chain Ralph & Kacoo's serves many locals' favorite Cajun food in town. These restaurants sit just beside Parkdale Mall, the area's premier shopping center, which houses most major retailers and is beside big box chains like Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Lowe's. Several small grocery stores are in North End, and there is a Kroger about two miles outside the neighborhood. The City of Beaumont comes together to celebrate events throughout the year, often with a Southeast Texas spin. In February, the city has its own Mardi Gras, and in March, Taste of the Triangle allows residents to sample restaurants from across Southeast Texas. March is also the month of the South Texas State Fair & Rodeo, an event that draws thousands of visitors to the city every year for the YMBL Championship Rodeo alongside carnival rides, fair food and games. In October, the city's Oktoberfest, Dogtober Fest, Halloween celebrations and Gift of Life Color Rush 5K keep locals active and engaged in the community. In December, they celebrate the holidays by watching The Nutcracker by the Beaumont Civic Ballet, shopping at the Main Street Market and checking out the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum's month-long Christmas celebration.

West End locals can enjoy a relaxing suburban lifestyle while still having access to downtown Beaumont’s amenities. Work commutes will likely be short for West End residents, and they have their pick of many locally-owned restaurants and establishments like J. Wilson’s, which serves classic comfort dishes like shrimp and grits. West End is also home to the Parkdale Mall, giving locals easy access to shopping outings with friends. For a change of pace, locals can head to one of the many parks scattered throughout the area, like Wuthering Heights Park. Hunters will love their proximity to the Big Thicket National Preserve. Locals can also take advantage of Beaumont’s annual events like the Dogtober Fest. West End allows residents to live in quiet residential neighborhoods while still having access to all of the city’s amenities and events. Homes in West End range from mid-century ranchers to Cape Cods to new contemporary dwellings, depending on the neighborhood. Prospective homebuyers can find newer properties in neighborhoods like Barrington Heights and older properties throughout the area, especially near the outskirts. Many older ranchers have been recently restored. A modest ranch-style dwelling can go for just over $100,000, while a new 6-bedroom can go for over a million. A 4-bedroom Cape Cod can go for just over $300,000. Most new homes have attached garages, and many older properties have detached garages or carports. Homes sit on moderately sized lots. Many streets in the area do not have sidewalks. West End’s central location lets residents take advantage of the city’s many annual events. Locals will love their proximity to the MBL South Texas State Fair, which is just over ten miles away. Festivalgoers can enjoy the exotic petting zoo, carnival rides and local vendors at this annual March event. Dog lovers won’t want to miss Dogtober Fest, which is held every second Saturday in October. Locals can grab their furry friends and head to festival, where they can dress their companions up to compete for different prizes. “The city’s done a great job of putting on city-wide events and coming up with new ways to get people out and involved,” says Kayla Coch, a real estate agent at the Amy Chance Real Estate Team. “This has created an environment where there’s a variety of people intertwining and mingling with each other.” Locals can head to the Parkdale Mall to get all their shopping done and grab groceries at stores like Walmart and H-E-B Plus. On days residents would like to eat out, they can explore the area’s wide selection of dining opportunities. Patrons at J. Wilson’s can enjoy drinks and rustic comfort food like Cajun corned beef and shrimp at grits. Those who dine at Ko Korean Grill can enjoy the establishment’s vibrant neon décor while dining on classic Korean food and fusion dishes like the Spicy KFC Sandwich. For some time outdoors, locals can head to Wuthering Heights Park to explore trails that meander through dense forests. Visitors of Rogers Park can challenge their friends to a basketball game or a tennis match, and kids can enjoy the park’s water playground. The Northwest Community Park is also nearby. Visitors can try to catch fish or take in the scenic views of the waterfall and lake. Hunters will want to spend time hunting at one of the preserves scattered near the area. Big Thicket National Preserve is just around a 30-mile drive away. Visitors can hunt animals like white-tailed deer and squirrels or hike through the longleaf pine forest. Depending on their home address, local students can enroll in schools within the Beaumont Independent School District. The district boasts a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 and features a Spanish and English program for bilingual learners. Students interested in space can take advantage of the district’s Murray J. Frank Planetarium. Guess Elementary and Odom Middle received C-plus and B-minus ratings from Niche, respectfully. Beaumont United High is ranked in the top 25% of schools in Texas for its athletic programs, and it received a C-minus rating from Niche. Beaumont is a primarily car-dependent area, as public transportation is not readily available. The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, a major employer, is in West End, and locals are just around a 20-miles away from the Jack Brooks Regional Airport via highways US-287 S and US-96. Houston is around 90 miles away via I-10 W.

Pear Orchard is a suburban neighborhood in Beaumont, Texas, known for its proximity to nearby distilleries and oil-refining companies. Residents live in ranch-style properties that have often been recently renovated, and homes here are more affordable than in nearby cities like Houston. Locals enjoy a tight-knit community focused on improving the neighborhood's amenities. Locals here enjoy a tight-knit community focused on improving the neighborhood's amenities. Jeanette Rideau, the spearhead of the Pear Orchard's neighborhood association, says, "Everyone knows everyone here. Neighbors look out for each other. We have community gardens where we teach the children gardening, and then we often gift senior citizens in the area fresh produce from the gardens." Rideau is part of a group focused on providing children of the community with more opportunities. She even leads events centered around a plant-based lifestyle. For some time outside, locals can head to one of the neighborhood's parks to enjoy the weather, and on Sundays, people here attend church. Pear Orchard is a neighborhood focused on cultivating community events and spaces for children, and its proximity to downtown Beaumont and nearby shopping centers makes locals' commutes easy. Ranch-style dwellings and bungalows dating back to the 1960s fill the Pear Orchard neighborhood, but the area is also home to a lot of new constructions and recently renovated properties. Many houses are being rebuilt, and the neighborhood’s pipes are being replaced following damage from storms and flooding. Properties here typically go from under $100,000 to upwards of $450,000. Homes on the higher end of the scale often sit closer to Interstate 10. Most people in the neighborhood own their homes, and this wide price range makes homeownership accessible to the many working in Beaumont's hospitality, mining and oil-extracting industries. Streets here are narrow, so residents park in their garages, under carports or driveways. Pear Orchard does not have any sidewalks. Many residents have purchased security cameras. Churches like Beaumont Church of Church are scattered throughout Pear Orchard, and many residents here spend their Sundays attending religious services. For some time outside, locals have the option of heading to neighborhood parks like Liberia Park, where children can enjoy a playground and a water play area. Sprott Park is also in the neighborhood. Visitors can take advantage of the sports facilities, including basketball and tennis courts. Many also come to the park to jog on the trail, which is complete with exercise stations. While the neighborhood does not currently have an indoor recreational facility, Rideau says they are raising funds to build a facility that the neighborhood kids can enjoy. Pear Orchard’s commitment to outreach programs for children is also shown through their neighborhood gardens, which community members help maintain, teaching local children gardening techniques. The Pear Orchard Community Garden is funded by Delilah's Logic and Lifeline Healthy Eats, showcasing the involvement organizations have in collaborating to bring farm to table eating to the Pear Orchard community. Pear Orchard locals are near a couple of shopping plazas, including the Gateway Shopping Center, and they can grab groceries from nearby stores like H-E-B. Those wanting to eat out can dine at one of the various, often seafood-centric restaurants that are scattered near the neighborhood borders. Coastal Seafood is a popular spot among locals, and anyone looking for food out in a classic mom-and-pop environment can enjoy Gerard's Barbeque Diner, which is known for its pork bones and handmade sausages. Rideau, a graduate of a plant-based culinary program, helps plan events around plant-based food, hoping to encourage people of Pear Orchard towards a more farm-to-table eating lifestyle. She hopes to open an establishment dedicated to this cause in the near future. The neighborhood is also home to Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas' Market to HOPE (Help Other People Eat), a food pantry that provides food items to those experiencing food insecurity. Students can enroll in the Beaumont Independent School District, which boasts a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1. Blanchette Elementary received a C-minus rating from Niche, Odom Academy Middle received a B-minus rating, and Beaumont United High received a C-minus rating. The high school offers career and technical education courses in areas like health sciences and engineering. Students can enroll in the Beaumont Independent School District, which boasts a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1. Pear Orchard is a primarily car-dependent area, but locals can also take advantage of the Beaumont Municipal Transit System. Locals are conveniently just around 7.5 miles away from downtown Beaumont, which is easily accessible via I-10. They can take that same interstate to get to Houston, which is around 83.5 miles away. A nearby medical facility is one of the Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, whose Beaumont location is just around 2 miles away. Many people in the neighborhood work at oil-producing and refining corporations and distilleries. ExxonMobil Beaumont Chemical Plant is just around 5 miles away, and Clifford Distilling LLC is around 20 miles away via U.S. Route 287, U.S. Route 69 and U.S. Route 96. Locals can take those same three routes to get to the Jack Brooks Regional Airport, which is around 11 miles away.

In 2023, the U.S. News and World Report released a list of the 10 most affordable places to live in the U.S. based on factors including quality of life, cost of living, desirability and job opportunities. Beaumont finished sixth, a fair ranking when comparing the job market to the cost of living and considering the great food and cultural opportunities. Safe Sommerset is a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood on Beaumont's west side. It was first developed in the 1960s and is still growing, likely due to Beaumont's consistent ranking on lists like the above and its ranking as #6 Best Place to Live in Texas, also in the U.S. News and World Report. "New construction is bringing a lot of attention to the neighborhoods west of downtown like Safe Sommerset," says RE/MAX agent Betty Cheek, who's sold homes in the area for over 11 years. The area is very comfortable and livable, with well-spaced single-family homes close to parks and proximity to some of Beaumont's best Tex-Mex and Cajun restaurants. It's an area enjoyed every day, but especially on holidays when the town puts a Southeast Texas spin on its festivities. Safe Sommerset's initial development began in the 1960s, so single-story brick ranch-style homes are the predominant architectural style. Many are L-shaped ramblers with a carport or front-facing one- or two-car garage. Some smaller bungalows are available as well. The area is still being developed today, with two-story American-traditional style homes becoming increasingly common, often with limestone or brick facades. The median price here is about $160,000, with prices starting around $120,000 for a bungalow and getting as high as $1 million for a multi-acre custom-built estate. For most single-family homes, buyers should expect to pay $120,000 to $220,000. Students in Safe Sommerset attend schools in the Beaumont Independent School District, starting with Amelia Elementary School or Caldwood Elementary School, before attending Vincent Middle School and graduating from West Brook Senior High School. All these schools received C-minus ratings or higher on the educational review site Niche. Parents interested in sending their children to a private, college preparatory high school can consider the nearby Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School, which received an A-minus on Niche. Parks in Safe Somerset offer recreation opportunities for all residents, from young families to competitive athletes. Smaller neighborhood green spaces are great for families with young children, with parks like Forest Park and Caldwood Park having playgrounds, picnic tables and grass to run around in, and the latter having basketball and tennis courts for older kids to enjoy. Perlstein Park is a bit bigger, with facilities like a softball field, splash pad, a half-mile jogging trail and the standard playground and picnic tables. The expansive Beaumont Municipal Athletic Complex is also in the neighborhood, with 12 softball fields, four volleyball courts, a 1.25-mile walking trail and a multipurpose soccer and football field, and its neighboring Beaumont Municipal Tennis Center was recently expanded to now include 24 tennis courts and a 4,500-square-foot clubhouse. Safe Somerset is Tex-Mex heaven to its residents, home to locally loved spots like 10 De Mayo, known for its large portion sizes and top-shelf margaritas, and Elena's, which has the area's best salsa. Tia Juanita's Fish Camp puts a spin on traditional Tex-Mex food, serving Mexican and Cajun-Creole seafood in a casual atmosphere. This cuisine uniquely combines the flavors of the cultural influences present in Beaumont's Gulf location between Louisiana and Mexico. The family-owned Frankie's Italian Grill is an old-school spot serving heaping portions of pizza and pasta alongside an extensive wine list. Chaba Thai Bistro is a contemporary eatery with noodles, curry and cocktails. Most get groceries at the Kroger in the neighborhood or the H-E-B downtown. About four miles north of the neighborhood, the Parkdale Mall is Beaumont's shopping hub, home to an extensive catalog of major retailers, and big box stores like Walmart, Best Buy and Lowe's surround it. The City of Beaumont comes together to celebrate events throughout the year, often with a Southeast Texas spin. In February, the city has its own Mardi Gras, and in March, Taste of the Triangle allows residents to sample restaurants from across Southeast Texas. March is also the month of the South Texas State Fair & Rodeo, an event that draws thousands of visitors to the city every year for the YMBL Championship Rodeo alongside carnival rides, fair food and games. In October, the city's Oktoberfest, Dogtober Fest, Halloween celebrations and Gift of Life Color Rush 5K keep locals active and engaged in the community. In December, they celebrate the holidays by watching The Nutcracker by the Beaumont Civic Ballet, shopping at the Main Street Market and checking out the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum's month-long Christmas celebration. Safe Sommerset is along U.S. Route 90, which connects east to downtown and west to Houston. The Beaumont Municipal Airport is just outside the neighborhood, but residents travel about 70 miles west to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston for most flights. In an emergency, the nearest hospital to Safe Sommerset is Beaumont Emergency Hospital, about a mile outside the neighborhood. Beaumont has a bus line down College Street, providing public transportation access to Safe Sommerset residents.