Winter Texan Migration to Coastal Bend Expected to Set New Records
| Winter Texan Migration to Coastal Bend Expected to Set New Records |
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Rockport, Texas (November 4, 2009) – “This is our sixth year to make Rockport our home for six months,” says Sharon Firmstone of Hawley, Pennsylvania. “When we return north, we compare notes with our friends and find we have the best deal of all, we spend in one month what they do in a week in Florida. You can’t beat the cost of living, and I doubt you’ll find a friendlier place.” Sharon and her husband John come for the quality of life, “it’s a captivating small town, much like Hawley, but it’s close to big city amenities. Houston and Corpus Christi are just a short drive. We also find the quality of health care is better and more affordable, so we have all of our medical check-ups while down there. I teach aerobics and my husband plays golf daily. The RV Parks are some of the best we have ever experienced. The people in Texas just go out of their way to help visitors; I’ve never known anything like it.” “The Winter Texan migration typically begins after Thanksgiving,” says Diane Probst, president of the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. “When the winter chill begins to frost over the Midwest and Northeastern United States, the migration to the Texas Coastal Bend begins. More than 10,000 people known as Winter Texans find refuge in Rockport-Fulton and stay well into the spring; this year we’re expecting to see an increase of migrant northerners due in part to positive word of mouth and targeted marketing efforts.” For the past six years, Herb and Lorraine Weier migrate from their home in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the Rockport-Fulton area and stay from January through March. “We discovered the area by accident,” says Herb Weier, a retired electrical engineer for Magnavox. “We were attending a wedding in Houston and heard so much talk about the bay area, we decided to fly into Corpus Christi, rent a car and drive along the coast line. We were so impressed by our welcome at the Rockport~Fulton Chamber of Commerce; we decided to make it our winter home.” The Weier’s spend their time riding bikes, volunteering time at the Odyssey after-school care program, attending lectures at the Texas Maritime Museum and the Art Center. “Back home, we’re docents at the art museum, so we love to attend the lectures in Rockport and learn about the history of the area at the Maritime Museum. The Art Center not only offers lectures but musical performances too! We have fun every year at the Whooping Crane Festival and we love to learn about water issues of the world at the UT Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas nearby,” adds Lorraine, retired early and adult education teacher. Last year, the Weier’s toured the surrounding communities documenting courthouses. “We love Victorian architecture, and always find Texans friendly and ready to tell a story. For more information on events, places to stay contact the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce at (361) 729.6445 or (800) 242.0071, or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . |
