Generational homes and ranch land define the Freer lifestyle
Freer offers small town living, generational homes and ranch land in the middle of South Texas brush country. "It's a small, close community, where most of the people who live there were born there and never want to leave," says Realtor Alma C. Martin with Corpus Christi Realty Group, who grew up in here. Freer sits between Laredo and Corpus Christi, so residents can enjoy the quiet of the countryside and still have a reasonable commute. According to Martin, large oil companies used to employ much of the town but have since left. "It's caused the housing market to slow, and many people have moved to nearby cities as they've gotten older," Martin says. "However, there are people who have inherited family houses or want to come back to raise their kids. And it's a close community, so everyone knows everyone."
Ranch-style homes and large acreages offer rural variety
In Freer, homes, farms and ranches are carved into sandy brushland. Freer's homes primarily consist of ranch-style and cottages, typically priced between $90,000 and $250,000. There are also manufactured homes with prices between $70,000 and $165,000. Most houses are on quiet, weathered asphalt or dirt roads lined with patchy brush and oak, mesquite and palm trees. Large plots of land are available for farming and ranching outside of town. "There is a lot of farm and ranch land available there," Martin says. "You'll see more people buying 25 to 50-acre ranches than buying in town." Land prices typically range between $130,000 for 30 acres and $260,000 for 70 acres. There are also acreages with around 1,000 acres available, which are priced in the multi-millions.
Education through Freer ISD
Freer Independent School District serves just over 700 students and has an overall C-plus rating on Niche. Norman M. Thomas Elementary scores a C. Lucy Aragon Junior High and Freer High earn a C-plus. High schoolers can enroll in Freer's Industry Cluster Innovative Academy, which offers health science and welding options.
Seasonal pool and school fields add to Freer’s outdoor options
There are just a few options for outdoor recreation in Freer. The Freer City Park has two playgrounds, one with a canopy to protect from extreme heat. The park also has picnic areas, a pavilion and a walking area. Rotary Park is a popular place for family and community gatherings. Near Freer High School, there are athletic fields for school games and a seasonal public pool. More options exist in nearby cities like Laredo's Lake Casa Blanca International State Park. The park has a scenic lake that offers fishing, kayaking and waterskiing. There are also playgrounds, sports courts, picnic pavilions and walking trails.
Grocery stores and homestyle restaurants serve Freer locals
Freer has a modest commercial area surrounding Lloyd Bentsen Highway. There are supply shops, a few small businesses and gas stations. There are a few churches south, close to Norton Avenue. Grocery options include Lowe's Market, Dollar General and Family Dollar. There's also a mix of chain and local restaurants. Nuevo Jalisco offers classic Mexican dishes, and Crossroads Cafe and Cantina has homestyle comfort food like fried chicken and gravy. Martin says that the Dairy Queen is also a popular option. "That's where everyone gets coffee and talks," she says. More dining and retail options are available in nearby communities like Alice, Corpus Christi and Laredo.
The town is known for the Freer Rattlesnake Round Up. "It's been going on for about 60 years," Martin says. "It's a unique event, and when you enter town there's a giant rattlesnake—the biggest in the world." There is a parade, live music, food vendors, competitions and snake shows.
Remote but connected by Highway 59 and regional services
Freer sits at the intersection of U.S. Highway 59 and Texas State Highway 16. There is a CHRISTUS Spohn Medical Clinic here, and the closest hospital is CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital in Alice, 40 miles away. The nearest city is Laredo, about 60 miles away via 59 (Lloyd Bentsen Highway). The city is home to the closest major airport, Laredo International. Laredo also has a border crossing terminal into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Freer has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
