Local businesses and events connect residents of Carrizo Springs
Named after a type of grass that once dominated the South Texas landscape, Carrizo Springs offers quiet living and land for ranching. "Carrizo Springs is a rural, quiet place that's very generational," says Realtor and lifelong resident Karen Ramirez with Texas Premier Realty. "I grew up here, and people stay here." According to Ramirez, the community of 4,500 is a hub of ranching and oil, and residents enjoy the quiet lifestyle. The town is within a two-hour drive of San Antonio, Laredo and Mexico, so amenities, retailers and employers are available. Still, Carrizo Springs has local shops, restaurants and events that bring residents together.
Median home prices reflect modest living in a rural setting
Most of Carrizo Springs is residential, encompassing sandy, brushy lots punctuated with mesquite, oak and olive trees. The surrounding areas are typical South Texas brushland, with miles of open land for ranching and farming. While these lots may have hundreds of acres and be priced into the millions, homes in town have a median sale price of $181,000. These residences are primarily modest, densely built ranch-styles, cottages and manufactured homes. There are also some pockets of New Traditional homes, most of which have a Mediterranean-inspired exterior. "There is new construction going on here," Ramirez says, noting the slow but steady growth of the housing market in Carrizo Springs.
District offers C-rated schools and hands-on career options
Carrizo Springs Consolidated Independent School District serves nearly 2,000 students and earns an overall C rating from Niche. Carrizo Springs Elementary serves pre-kindergarten through third grade and scores a C-plus. Carrizo Springs Intermediate serves fourth through sixth grade and has a C. Carrizo Springs Junior High and Carrizo Springs High both earn a C-plus. High schoolers may apply to career and technical education programs, including agriculture, nursing, carpentry and teaching.
Veterans Park is a hub for celebrations and family fun
There are a few modest recreation options in Carrizo Springs. Veterans Park has a playground, picnic areas and an events pavilion. The park is the site of local events, such as the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade. Every Fourth of July, the park hosts a celebration with food, live music and fireworks. Dimmit County Park has simple picnic shelters overlooking a pond. It's adjacent to Carrizo Springs Golf Course, which offers public tee times. Nearby are Espantosa Lake and the Nueces River. These waterways, surrounded by shady mesquite and oak trees, provide spots for fishing, swimming and kayaking.
Local restaurants and shops line Pena and North First Streets
Pena and North First Streets are the main commercial areas in Carrizo Springs. The heart of town encompasses churches, gyms, supply shops and municipal buildings like the Dimmit County Historic Courthouse. There are plenty of chains, but local restaurants are where the city shines. Tacos El Rey offers platters of authentic tacos, Phat Boy 2 has homestyle tortas and burritos, and Cafe Suzanna is a coffee shop and bookstore with regular community events. The grocery options in Carrizo Springs include H-E-B, Family Dollar and Walmart. More options are available in nearby larger cities like Eagle Pass, which offers dining, entertainment and big box retailers.
Carrizo Springs offers regional access via major roads
The community is home to the area's major medical center, Dimmit Regional Hospital. Carrizo Springs is intersected by U.S. Highway 277. Through this major artery, the town is about 45 miles east of Eagle Pass and the U.S. Border crossing into Piedras Negras, Mexico. U.S. Highway 277 connects Carrizo Springs to Laredo International Airport, about 82 miles away. Texas State Highway 85 brings residents to Interstate 35, 45 miles from Carrizo Springs. From there, San Antonio is about 80 miles northeast.
