Nestled in Southeast Texas, Beaumont offers a wealth of opportunities for young couples looking for a fresh start. Located between the Louisiana border and the hustle and bustle of Houston, Beaumont is a diverse city with a mix of Southern charm and Texas pride. Are you thinking about moving to Beaumont, TX? Here’s why we think you’ll be happy settling here, and what you need to know before you go.
Why Should You Move to Beaumont?
With a population of just under 120,000, Beaumont serves as a regional hub for about 400,000 people. The Golden Triangle is made up of Jefferson, Hardin, and Orange counties. Residents come to Beaumont for shopping, dining, entertainment, higher education, and jobs. Beaumont’s relatively small size is one of its strengths. It allows newcomers to make connections and quickly feel at home in their new hometown.
Jes Prince, a Beaumont real estate broker who also works in the city’s Community Development Department, said she would advise young couples moving to Beaumont to make an effort to learn about all that Beaumont has to offer. This includes the Southeast Texas Young Professionals Organization (YPO), affiliated with the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce.
Join YPO to engage with a very active group that networks non-stop. Beaumont is full of kind, resilient residents who are happy to welcome you.
Jes Prince
People moving to Beaumont are sure to find a lot to love. “I love the fact that we are small enough, population wise, to be familiar and active in various organizations and nonprofits.” Prince continues. “We often collaborate in our efforts to address needs and implement solutions. Small businesses are generous.”
But living in Beaumont is not all work all the time. “Beaumont is a fantastic location for outdoor activities. We are surrounded by nature. We have a diverse culinary community. Our arts community is magical and expanding every day,” Prince says.
Are There Jobs in Beaumont, TX?
Beaumont has a long history of providing a range of jobs in the energy industry, from professional positions to blue-collar careers to support staff roles. With ExxonMobil and other refineries and chemical plants in and around the city, energy has been big business and a major job creator in Beaumont. This has been true ever since the historic Spindletop oil boom of 1901, one of Beaumont’s claims to fame. Beaumont’s active energy sector helps make the strategically located Port of Beaumont one of the largest and busiest ports in the country.
Jobs in the legal field are also plentiful in Beaumont. The county seat houses the Jefferson County Courthouse, featuring attractive Art Deco architecture. Federal courts for the Eastern District of Texas, located in the Jack Brooks Federal Building in downtown Beaumont, also drive jobs in the legal profession in Beaumont. Legal firms large and small have offices clustered downtown and scattered throughout the city.
Healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses and technicians will find many job opportunities in Beaumont with three hospitals: Christus Southeast Texas-St. Elizabeth, Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, and the Medical Center of Southeast Texas-Beaumont. On top of the hospitals, there are multiple clinics and large medical practices.
Beaumont is home to numerous engineering and accounting firms and jobs in the public sector at the local, state, and federal levels. State and federal prisons near Beaumont provide multiple jobs. Lamar University and Lamar Institute of Technology, both part of the Texas State University System, are major Beaumont employers. They provide jobs for academics, professionals, and support staff.
As a regional shopping hub for everything from cars, appliances and furniture to home goods, groceries, and apparel, Beaumont also offers a wide variety of restaurant, retail, and other customer service job opportunities.
Beaumont TX Neighborhoods
The best places to live in Beaumont depend somewhat on personal preference. Different Beaumont neighborhoods offer different attractions. You’ll find well-maintained older homes with distinctive features as well as newer construction with modern amenities.
“Once you venture into our city it is filled with so much charm, tradition, and history,” says Garrison Fuller, a real estate agent with Remax One.
Our home values are continuing to go up, but there are so many neighborhoods within Beaumont and surrounding areas that are great to start a new chapter in your or your family’s lives. We have everything from cottages to large family homes, all for reasonable prices compared to most other areas around Texas.
Garrison Fuller, Remax One
Fuller says his favorite Beaumont neighborhoods include three centrally located established neighborhoods: the Oaks Historic District, Calder Place, and the Circuits, where he resides.
Oaks Historic District
The Oaks Historic District has a mix of large and small homes, most built from the 1920s through the 1960s. The active neighborhood association has spearheaded multiple projects to improve the quality of life. These include creating a dog park within the city’s Ida Reed Park. The accessibility to downtown and Beaumont’s Calder Avenue corridor make this neighborhood popular for residents of all ages.
Calder Place
Calder Place is slightly further west featuring charming, well-kept homes from roughly the same time period. Residents here are known for their holiday decorations and neighborhood Fourth of July parade.
The Circuits
The Circuits is the heart of Beaumont’s West End. The neighborhood features a mix of ranch style and mid-century modern homes mainly from the mid-20th century.
More Neighborhood Options
Those moving to Beaumont who prefer newer construction should consider neighborhoods further west. Check out Barrington Heights off Dowlen Road and Westchase Village off Major Drive. Both were established in the 2000s with some new construction continuing.
New residents looking for a temporary home in Beaumont while deciding which neighborhoods they prefer will find multiple large, well-equipped apartment complexes in west Beaumont near Major Drive.
What’s it Like, Living in Beaumont?
When moving to Beaumont, young couples can look forward to a warm, welcoming, easy-going lifestyle. Stretch the dollars from your paycheck with Beaumont’s low cost of living. Both housing and grocery costs in Beaumont are 10 percent below the national average, according to Payscale.com.
How You’ll Get Around
Transplants from urban areas quickly come to love the ease of driving in here. The average Beaumont commute time to work is less than 20 minutes, according to the Census Bureau. However, city dwellers find that trips across town rarely take more than 10 minutes.
Access to a vehicle is a near necessity in Beaumont. Some parts of the city are inviting for walking and bicycling. Even so, most residents see those as recreation rather than transportation. Public transportation is available through Beaumont Municipal Transit. Additionally, ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft operate in Beaumont.
What to Expect from the Weather
Beaumont’s moderate climate makes outdoor activity inviting year-round. Winters typically are mild with snow days an unusual and exciting event when they occur every few years. Summer days tend to be hot and humid, but that’s what air conditioning, swimming pools, and swimming holes are for.
With its Gulf Coast location, Beaumont can be vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes. Beaumont residents know to be prepared for hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, just in case. Hurricane preparation includes keeping insurance up to date, having non-perishable food and other supplies on hand, and being familiar with evacuation routes. TexasReady.gov has tip sheets, evacuation maps, and other resources to help.
Schools in Beaumont
Beaumont Independent School District is the region’s largest public school system, educating students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Beaumont ISD includes 14 elementary schools, six middle schools, and three high schools. West Brook and Beaumont United are traditional high schools. Meanwhile, Beaumont Early College High School allows students to graduate with a diploma, workplace experience, and college credit.
Another Beaumont school option is Harmony Science Academy, a K-12 public charter school. Harmony Science offers an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math.
Families looking for other school choices can turn to Beaumont private schools. The Diocese of Beaumont operates three Catholic schools in Beaumont. St. Anne Catholic School and St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School both offer classes for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School serves ninth through 12th-grade students. All Saints Episcopal School educates students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Legacy Christian Academy serves students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
What about Higher Ed?
Higher education opportunities are available in Beaumont at Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) and Lamar University. Both are state institutions that are part of the Texas State University System. LIT provides associate degree and certificate programs in a variety of fields from business to healthcare to public service to hands-on training in industrial fields.
Lamar University offers a variety of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. With particularly well-regarded programs in engineering, nursing, education, and art, Lamar gives newcomers an inviting opportunity to complete a degree or advance their education. The university also adds to Beaumont’s quality of life. It provides frequent music, theater, dance, and arts events as well as lectures on an array of topics from faculty members and guest speakers.
Sports fans can cheer on the Lamar Cardinals, who compete in the Southland Conference, in more than a dozen men’s and women’s sports including baseball, basketball, soccer, and football. Cardinals football fans gather on campus for tailgating on home game Saturdays in the fall where the Showcase of Southeast Texas marching band is a popular halftime attraction.
Things to Do in Beaumont, TX
After moving to Beaumont, newcomers will find plenty of things to do, places to go, foods to taste, and activities to try to help them meet new people. You’ll enjoy getting to know their new hometown and the surrounding area in no time.
The Food
People in Southeast Texas love food. Beaumont’s unique location is where the Louisiana influence of Creole and Cajun cuisine meets Texas barbecue and Tex Mex. Add in a healthy splash of flavors from around the globe thrown in courtesy of immigrants to the area over the years. In the spring, restaurants across the region offer boiled crawfish specials, and locals argue about who is the best. Hint: The best is probably at a backyard crawfish boil served with an ice-cold beer. Try to finagle an invitation or two.
Beaumont residents love to support local small businesses, and restaurants are no exception. A full list of delicious local restaurants to try is too long to include, but we can’t resist naming a few consistent favorites. Monica’s in the West End or Katharine & Company in the historic Mildred Building are great places for lunch. Get a great cup of coffee and a sweet treat at Rao’s Bakery on Calder or Dowlen. Find other suggested restaurants to try on the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau website.
The Beaumont Farmers Market is another avenue to explore local flavors. Open Saturday mornings at the Beaumont Athletic Complex on College Street, the Beaumont Farmers Market sells locally grown fruits and vegetables. You’ll also find locally produced meats, eggs, honey, and other products like baked goods, soaps, candles, and art.
The Culture
Beaumont is especially welcoming to artists and art lovers with several exhibition spaces, restaurants, and other businesses often featuring local artists. Visual arts aficionados can peruse pieces and enjoy good company at frequent opening receptions at Beaumont venues including the Art Studio Inc., Art Museum of Southeast Texas, Beaumont Art League, and Dishman Art Museum at Lamar University. While visiting, learn about other offerings such as classes for adults and children.
Beaumont stages beckon audience members and performers alike. Beaumont Community Players on Laurel Avenue offers a regular season of both musicals and straight plays with opportunities to get involved on stage, backstage, or in educational programs. The Symphony of Southeast Texas performs classical and pop concerts at the Julie Rogers Theatre downtown. Local venues like the Logon Cafe and Courville’s regularly host live music from both local performers and established touring artists. Big-name performers and touring shows often make stops at larger Beaumont venues such as Ford Park, the Julie Rogers Theatre, and the Jefferson Theatre. The Jefferson Theatre, a restored 1927 movie palace downtown, also regularly hosts classic movie nights.
The Great Outdoors
Outdoor activities are a popular attraction in Beaumont and the surrounding area with the Neches River providing Beaumont’s eastern boundary. Hunting and fishing are year-round pursuits. The region is also an ideal location for birding. The Cattail Marsh in Beaumont’s Tyrrell Park, a featured site on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, is loved by locals for walking, biking, or watching local wildlife including alligators and birds such as ibises and coots. Watch for free yoga classes on Saturdays at the Cattail Marsh Education Center.
Water sports lovers will love exploring waterways around Beaumont. Get started by exploring one of the canoe or kayak routes recommended by Texas Paddling Trails. From the LNVA Saltwater Barrier, a 4.8-mile loop takes paddlers through Cook’s Lake to Scatterman and back down the Neches River. Or a 7-mile loop goes from Collier’s Ferry Park to Lake Bayou and back.
The Beaumont region is also home to numerous golf courses and an active running club called the Sea Rim Striders.
Moving to Beaumont, Texas affords you a wealth of opportunities including promising jobs, enticingly priced housing, and plenty of friendly people ready to welcome you. With plenty of self-storage facilities in Beaumont, we at Life Storage are ready to welcome you, too! If you need a little extra storage space as you make your move, stop into our offices to hear about our latest specials. Good luck!
