As you begin to prepare for your new life on South Padre Island, starting the home hunt and dreaming about how much better your life will be once the move is done, there may be some things you need to know. Some things will be good ones, other things will be not so good, and still other things will be ones that you may need to consider before “taking the plunge.”
We at Franke Realty have been an integral part of the development of South Padre Island, opening our doors and showcasing paradise to the world since the 1950s, and our clients are known to be the happiest in town, especially as we keep them informed of everything they need to know, including the top 10 things new residents always wish they had known before moving here. Now, it is your turn to learn the secrets of SPI!
1: You’ll Need to Prepare for Hurricanes
Hurricane season is a long one, starting in June and not reaching its end until November, and if you are going to live on an island, you have to know the secrets to preparing for the storms.
The good news is that our weather service is absolutely fantastic about tracking the storms, and you will have plenty of time to prepare your property. Even better news is the realization that although we have been impacted by hurricanes more than a few times over the years, we really have never faced total destruction like other island communities have, and generally we suffer minimal damage.
Most preparations include paying higher than normal flood insurance and building homes with reinforced and impact-resistant windows and shutters, something that will probably already be taken care of in the properties you are looking to purchase.
2: Traffic Is Minimal
Anyone who has suffered through stop-and-go traffic at rush hour, taking far longer to get home than the mileage would indicate, and experiencing unthinkable episodes of road rage at the hands of other drivers will be thrilled to know that traffic is minimal on South Padre Island. Of course, the quiet and peace that you may be used to throughout much of the year does tend to dissipate once tourist season is in high gear, but for the most part your morning drive to work (or to the beach) will be serene and your return trip will be quick and relatively painless. And because South Padre Island is just 34 miles in length, with the developed part of town only stretching out about 6 miles, if traffic is heavy, riding your bike to wherever you want to go on the island is always a good idea.
3: Dependence on the Bridge Will Have an Impact
There are exceptions to every rule, of course, and although there may be very little traffic on the island, our dependence on the only bridge that leads to the mainland can cause a hiccup in your peaceful journey, especially when hurricanes are predicted. High tourist season can also lead to delays, as there is an ever-growing number of visitors arriving and departing, as well as residents heading off island for their own shopping, working, and entertaining needs. The good news is that although right now there is just one way on or off the island, we have it on good authority that a second bridge may be in the works, giving us hope for the future.
4: The Sea Really Is Magical
You may not believe in the magic of the sea just yet, but that’s ok, you soon will. Even on the craziest of days when the tourists are crowding the beaches and the wait list at your favorite restaurant is a long one, all you need is one whiff of salt air, the sound of waves crashing against sandy beaches, and feeling of sand between your toes and you will find your troubles drifting away with the sea breeze.
Even better, you never get used to it, and every time you make your way to your favorite spot on the beach the magic that the sea imparts will seem new and unforeseen. Our Franke Realty team has lived on South Padre Island for most of our lives, and every day we wake up and give thanks that SPI is our home, and we have a sneaking suspicion that you will as well.
5: Spring Break Can Be a Bit Difficult
Anyone who has ever lived in a beach town understands the pain of knowing that Spring Break is there again, and although the craziness has calmed down a little as fickle college students find newer destinations with more of what they seek, it will still be wilder than you imagined. For longtime residents, we often schedule our vacations during Spring Break season, with March 10th through the 24th being the busiest days. But an equal number of islanders actually find this time of year invigorating, as the energy that vibrates throughout the island brings back memories of our own crazy college Spring Break adventures. Additionally, there are still plenty of family oriented Spring Break activities you can engage in that are far away from the party scene, almost making you forget about the noise and high energy of the college students celebrating the season.
6: The Fishing Here Is World Class
Good fishing isn’t always guaranteed in a coastal town or city, but the fishing on or near South Padre Island is known to be world class year-round. You will learn that the jetties are the best spots for catching snapper, tarpon, and even sharks, and offshore fishing is prime in the months of April through September, when the mahi-mahi and the sailfish are practically jumping onto your line. For those excited about catching the big fish, marlin, tuna, and kingfish are plentiful from April to September, and if you do catch a trophy fish, there are plenty of companies in the area that will stuff and mount your prize.
Even if fishing has never been more than a pleasant way to fill a few quiet hours, when you taste the fish that you catch and feel the peace that comes from pitting your wits against nature, you may discover that the sport has become your new obsession. For those wanting to experience the sport more intensely, August is when two major tournaments take place on South Padre Island, the Texas International Fishing Tournament and the Ladies Kingfisher Tournament.
7: Corrosion Is a Constant Companion
Salt air is not kind to vehicles and homes, and if your favorite color does not happen to be rust, you can count on engaging in extensive maintenance to ensure that your property does not show corrosion. You’ll want to use protective anti-corrosion sprays to ensure that your metal surfaces continue to be safe. Stainless steel, aluminum, and fiberglass are the best materials to help avoid corrosion, but you obviously don’t have a choice when it comes to your cars, so the protective measures listed above will be most helpful. Also, remembering to rinse off your car, boat motors, or outdoor equipment on a regular basis will lessen the impact of the salt air on your things.
8: Keep Your Car in the Garage, Minimize the Corrosion Damage
As long as you don’t need to leave the island, you can pretty much leave your car parked in the garage, as the island shuttle will take you wherever you need to go. Island Metro is a free fixed-route transport system that operates on South Padre Island and in Port Isabel from 7AM until 9PM. Offering ADA access and bike racks, everyone can use the shuttle, saving wear and tear on their personal vehicles while also saving money. And to be perfectly honest, our favorite way of getting around SPI is by bike, especially as there are many trails that lead us through the most beautiful parts, adding a new layer of wonder to our activities.
9: The School System Is Not on South Padre Island
For families who are used to allowing their children to walk to and from school, not having a public school system on the island can be a problem that may make you rethink moving to South Padre Island. Transportation is provided by the Point Isabel Independent School District, just as in most school districts, but if you are planning to drive your children yourself, be sure to factor in the extra 15 minutes or so it will take to cross the bridge into Port Isabel, as well as the fact that the speed limit on the island ranges between 30 and 35 miles per hour.
10: A Beautiful Community of Friends Who Will Become Family
South Padre Island isn’t that far away from the mainland, so you won’t feel too separated from the rest of the world, but its relative seclusion will draw you closer to your neighbors, who will soon become more like family than friends. We offer frequent community events, in addition to the fishing tournaments we mentioned earlier, and as you attend the Indoor Kite Festival in January or explore all that goes on during SandCastle Days in October, or watch the lighted boat parade at Christmas, you and your family will experience the joy of living in a community where residents look after residents and actually enjoy being together. The South Padre Island Farmers Market may actually become your favorite way to enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon, especially if you have anything to sell of your own, becoming even more of a part of our beautiful community of friends.
Something Extra
Yes, we know that we promised a top 10 list, but there are so many things that you should know about your future home, we didn’t think you would mind a couple of extras, including the fact that you will start to wonder why you didn’t make the move sooner. South Padre Island life is as idyllic as you always imagined it would be, and while there are some cons, such as the ones we have mentioned here, the pros will always outweigh them. Finding a bone-deep contentment, a soul-deep happiness, and of course, the home you will feel most comfortable and at ease in, your world will be brighter when you become a South Padre Island resident.
So Now You Know
We realize that we have thrown a lot of information at you with all the words on this page, but isn’t it nice knowing that your home ownership dreams can come true? Life on SPI will be serene and crazy, fun and relaxing, comfortable and welcoming; now all that’s left to do is to find the property you can call your forever home!
That can be the hardest part for most people, but you have found us, found this page, and we hope that Franke Realty can be the conduit to your home sweet home. We have been an integral part of the community since before South Padre Island was considered a great place to live, and we have made it our job over the seven decades we have been in business to make the rest of the world see what a gem our island home is.
One Last Thought
As important as it is to share South Padre Island with the world, we have also made it our business to protect this gorgeous part of Texas, to preserve its natural beauty while we showcase all that makes it wonderful. This combination of protection and promotion makes us uniquely prepared to help you find your forever home, and as we scour the listings, searching for the ones that we think will work best for you, we can also tell you more things you need to know about making the move to South Padre Island. Give us a call today and discover everything that makes this island the perfect spot to live out the next chapter in the story of your life!
