Great thread Semper Fi! I live on the water up here in Discovery Bay on the Delta, and I am planning on relocating in 5 years or so. I've Google Earthed Galveston and Corpus Christi as well, but didn't see anything that looked comparable to what I have here. My girlfriend and I really like San Diego, and are prepared to spend $1.5m for an off-water home down there. I also plan to trade up from my current 30 Skater to a 40 Skater when/if we move down there - as it's all open ocean running down there. I also hate all the liberals here in CA, but love the weather. Part of what I like so much about San Diego also is it's a military town and very Republican. Anyway, I've learned a lot from this thread, thanks for posting and to all those that gave insight to performance boating in Texas!

will agree Houston/gavleston area is no where near as pretty water as yall have,,,,,,thats a given for sure,,,,
were in the center of the gulf of mexico that 4-6 major rivers drain into within a 100 mile shore distance
so water color here is dirtier when have lots of rain
we also are flat land here so no pretty rolling hills and valleys
Austin is 100 miles away and has that landscape and travis is pretty
but Houston being a major city we have everything u can ever want as far as food,arts,night life,lakes and rivers and bay and gulf for different water weekends
not a far drive for all kinds of get aways of all kinds
cost of living here is 1/10th of what you pay so lowest col as a major city
a 1mil house here is 10+mil there,,,,250-500k buys u very nice with sq ftage
fuel here is 2.00 gal and have non alcy 91 for 3.00 so go boating not caring as most my trips out ill burn 100 gall min just in fun running an afternoon
nasa/kemah area has lots of powerboats and sailboats
skate 30 our group we have 10+ cats that run together all the time and take fun run trips together
28 skates,30spec,30motions u would fit in with
I have a 28 im doing a resto with lots of upgrades for calm days 1-3ers
but I ride in a 40 skater as been running our gulf for many yrs and if a storm cloud comes and 50 miles from trailer it suks to have seas go from 1-3 to 4-6 and ride bak as why I say a bigger boat is better here
what u save on house and cost of living can go to a bigger boat and keep the 30,,,lol
good and bad just like any other city ,,,true texas/lousiana peeps are pretty tight so good to be around

Been also looking at the West Coast of Florida, like Fort Myers and St Petersburg....I assume boating is awesome there!!!

I'd be checking elevation above sea level of a potential residence first and foremost.

Fort Myers certainly has a very active powerboat scene, I think that's where bobthebuilder does the snowbird thing.

GOOD idea! St Pete is like 40+ above and Ft Myers is only 3+ above sea level

Be careful. May get high altitude sickness in St Pete.