South Side - Corpus Christi, TX

Corpus Christi has always thrived because of its location, convenient to trading, from its earliest days as a trading post in the 1830s. The region has seen its share of war, from the Mexican-American War of the 1840s to the Battle of Corpus Christi during the Civil War. It has also suffered from hurricane damage, notably during Hurricanes Celia and Allen in 1970 and 1980, respectively, as well as from the Galveston hurricane of 1900. The opening of the Port of Corpus Christi in 1926 put the city on its path to become one of the largest ports in the United States.

The Aurora Arts Theater on Everhart Road presents a full season of community-based theater each year, allowing South Side residents to participate and enjoy great plays and musicals. Head toward the bay to enjoy the Texas Surf Museum or the USS Lexington Museum on a decommissioned aircraft carrier.

Dining out in Corpus Christi's South Side means casual eats at an Asian or traditional American restaurant. Many popular spots line Staples Street, but restaurants can also be found scattered throughout the neighborhood.

Swing by Aka Japanese for traditional teppanyaki cuisine cooked on a hot grill. Locals praise the restaurant's hand-rolled sushi, tempura calamari and miso soup as well as the off-menu dancing-shrimp appetizer made from chili-glazed tempura shrimp and asparagus. The restaurant has many private rooms for larger parties, along with traditional rooms where you can sit on the floor as you would in Japan.

When you need something fast but fabulous, the South Side has you covered. If you're in search of a satisfying breakfast, head to Andy's Kitchen on Staples Street and enjoy the free homemade blueberry muffins while you wait for your chicken-fried steak, chorizo and eggs, or huevos rancheros.

If you're celebrating something special, make a reservation at Katz 21 Steak & Spirits for prime beef that reminds you why you're in Texas. A cucumber martini starts your evening off right, and any steak you order shows up on your plate perfectly cooked and fork-tender. Stop off at the restaurant's sister bar Club 21, located right next door, for more drinks and a night of dancing.

While you may want to head a little closer to the bay to check out the adjoining neighborhood's clubs and lounges, the South Side offers quite a bit in the way of nightlife. Park yourself at the Hardknocks Sports Lounge and Grill when you want to kick back and watch the game on a big-screen TV. Whiskey River lets you line dance your booty off in a non-smoking environment with a DJ spinning country music. Regulars stop by for live music and Saturday country nights at Talons Sports Bar and Grill, where friendly bartenders pour cold brews and patrons relax on the patio or shoot a game of pool.

While most residents of Corpus Christi rely on their cars to get around, South Side locals can walk and bike around their neighborhood a little more than in the rest of the city. Many of the streets have designated bike lanes. In addition, the CCRTA in Corpus Christi runs buses all through the South Side, connecting residents here to downtown Corpus Christi and out to Mustang and Padre Islands. Taxi services tend to cluster downtown, but you can call a cab or an Uber driver when you need one.

Corpus Christi residents sit at the edge of the continent, so when they hop on a highway, they can only head inland, in this case, toward San Antonio and Houston. You may need a parking permit to park near the beach, and make sure to obey all parking laws because parking enforcement tends to be strict in this beach town.

Sitting only a dozen blocks from the beach running along the shores of Corpus Christi Bay, the South Side provides plenty of opportunities for outdoors fun and competition.

When you want sand between your toes, you have your pick of several wonderful beaches close to the South Side. Stop at J.P. Luby Surf Park on Padre Island to play beach volleyball, paddle in the surf, or pull out your surfboard, boogie board or jet ski. Take a kiteboarding lesson if you feel adventurous.

Oso Beach Municipal Golf Course, just two blocks from the bayfront, keeps its doors open to anyone who wants to play, with a putting area and golf lessons available.

Bill Witt City Park is the home of Corpus Christi Little League, AYSO soccer and Pop Warner football. On any given weekend, the 19 fields on this park are alive with kids playing their hearts out and parents cheering. Bring your dog along to watch the game as long as it's leashed.

The cost of living in the South Side neighborhood runs just 6 percent above that of Corpus Christi as a whole. If you choose to drive through town, expect to get a bit of a break, because gas prices run about 7 percent lower than the national average cost. Taking a bus downtown costs you just 75 cents.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the South Side runs an average of $779 per month. When you stroll out to have a cold beer on a weekend evening, expect to pay $4 to $5.

La Palmera Shopping Mall, formerly known as Padre Staples Mall, meets the basic shopping needs of South Side residents. Anchored by Macy's, Dillard's and JCPenney, the mall also has a sister big-box center attached to it on Padre Island Drive, giving locals access to handy stores such as Dick's Sporting Goods, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Big Lots and DSW.

You can also find some unique specialty stores to make your life more convenient and pleasant in the South Side. Drop in at Texas Toyz when you need to pick up a gift either for the kids in your life or for your favorite fanboy or fangirl. You'll find comic books, posters, movie figurines and other collectibles in addition to toys. Gamers also love Play Again Classic Video Games on Everhart Road. You find an amazing collection of retro games for all gaming platforms, with a knowledgeable staff to help you navigate your selections. Bring your old consoles here for repair as well.

South Side locals head to H-E-B, Walmart and Sprouts to do their grocery shopping. When you have specialty food needs, check out Asian Market on South Padre Island Drive for a full supply of Chinese and Filipino ingredients. The Corpus Christi Southside Farmer's Market opens its doors every Saturday morning to bring the neighborhood farm-fresh produce, honey and eggs.