Crystal City offers small-town life near major cities
Crystal City is best known for its spinach farms and cattle ranches, but the town also has a downtown area with local shops, restaurants and events. "It's a budget-friendly area," says Realtor Krystyn Huffstutler-Reyes with Double K Real Estate. "Most people come to the area to work as a teacher, administrator or in a municipal office." The South Texas community of about 6,000 is within a two-hour drive of Laredo, San Antonio and Mexico, so access to amenities or employers is convenient. Crystal City comes together to celebrate its primary export with the annual Spinach Festival, a gathering that's been a community highlight for over 40 years.
Crystal City blends small town living with expansive farmland
In the middle of South Texas shrubland, Crystal City homes are surrounded by mesquite, oak and palm trees on sandy lots. There are primarily ranch-style, manufactured and Mediterranean-inspired New Traditional homes, all at a median sale price of $192,000. However, the shrubs and crop fields surrounding Crystal City offer land for ranching, farming and homesteading. "Ranching and farming are big here, and there are more custom homes built around here than contemporary subdivisions," Huffstutler-Reyes says. Depending on the property type, some may have up to a thousand acres and are priced well into the millions.
Crystal City schools serve 1,700 students with mixed scores
Crystal City Independent School District serves about 1,700 students and earns a C-minus rating from Niche. Five schools serve the community, all scoring between a C-minus and C-plus. High schoolers can participate in career and technical education programs, including culinary arts, accounting and visual arts.
Juan Garcia Park and Crystal City Pool are central to residents
Crystal City's main green space is Juan Garcia Park. The recreation area offers sports courts, athletic fields, a playground and picnic shelters for celebrations. The park is adjacent to the seasonal Crystal City Pool, which is popular with families during the summer. There are limited other options for recreation, but Crystal City High's football stadium brings residents together to watch the Javelinas play on Friday nights. The community is close to the Nueces River and Espantosa Slough. Among the hickory, mesquite and oak trees that line the waterways are tranquil, secluded spots for fishing and swimming.
Veterans Avenue has shops, churches and local restaurants
Veterans Avenue is the hub of life in Crystal City. There are churches, supply shops, gyms and municipal buildings. The community has a mix of chains like Dairy Kreme, a classic burger and shake shop, and local restaurants like Kevin's Cafe, which serves tacos and breakfast platters. Groceries can be picked up at H-E-B and Family Dollar. Residents may travel to larger cities nearby like Uvalde or Eagle Pass, which both have more dining, entertainment and big box retail.
Spinach Festival brings residents together for 43 years
For 43 years, the community has been hosting events like the annual Spinach Festival. This multi-day celebration brings residents together with a pageant, parade, car show and a 5K run. There's also a kick-off dance with live music and carnival rides.
Crystal City has road access to Mexico and major highways
U.S. Highway 83 serves the community, connecting north to Uvalde, 40 miles away, and south to Carrizo Springs, 12 miles away. Carrizo Springs has the closest hospital, Dimmit Regional. From Carrizo Springs, U.S. Highway 277 runs west to the nearest major city, Eagle Pass, 45 miles from Crystal City. Eagle Pass also has a U.S. Border crossing into Piedras Negras, Mexico. There's access to Texas State Highway 85, which connects to Interstate 35, also about 45 miles east. Via I-35, San Antonio is about 80 miles northeast. The closest major airport is Laredo International, about 93 miles south of Crystal City.
