Sitting on top of the second-highest point along the Gulf Coast is Portland, Texas. This compact city was once a fresh produce center in the late 1800s and, at the time, home to only 192 residents. Between 2012 and 2021, Portland’s population doubled and now stands at nearly 23,000, as of 2024. Oil and gas are vital economic drivers — with Exxon being a primary employer — along with tourism from kiteboarders flocking to the 30- to 40-foot-tall bluffs overlooking the Nueces and Corpus Christi bays. "Our city is known for its high bluffs. There is no need for flood insurance living here, which is astounding," says Shawn Cass. Cass lives in Portland and is a Real Estate Broker for Cass Real Estate. "We have the most consistent wind speeds of any city in the United States, and our beaches aren't cluttered with piers, giving people space to ride the waves." Military service members living in Portland also have a short commute to the naval air station in nearby Corpus Christi.
Seek stunning waterfront views and luxurious homes all within Portland.
This should be enough information to let you know Portland is the place to be.
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From dog parks to bayside swimming spots
The City of Portland has 13 public and residential parks, a sports complex and a community and aquatic center. There are also several shorelines within a 7-mile radius of Portland. Sunset Lake offers bay waters for swimming, fishing and kayaking. "Violet Andrews Park is where all the kiteboarders go. The water isn't very deep, so it's great for beginners," Cass says. The lake and park also have multiuse trails for hiking, biking and jogging. The City of Portland recently received a $6 million grant for a new Sunset Lake Hike and Bike Trail. Kaiah Dog Park is local to Portland on Moore Avenue and provides an off-leash area for dogs to run and fellow dog lovers to meet.
Jogging and biking trails at Sunset Park offer amazing views.
Kaiah Dog Park in Portland, Texas, is a great place to exercise your dog.
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Less retail, but more coming in Portland's new LED
Shopping is limited in Portland, but a few local restaurants and well-known chains are in Portland Towne Center, off Highway 181. On a block of land bordered by 5th Avenue, Houston Street, 6th Avenue, and Elm Street is the new Leisure and Entertainment District, which includes shops, eateries and an outdoor concert space set to debut in 2025. For more retail options, locals can travel 16 miles to the Shops at La Palmera via Highway 181. This complex has over a million square feet devoted to box chains like Forever 21, Macy's, H&M and more.
H-E-B Grocers in Portland is a local hotspot.
Texas A1 Steaks & Seafood serves the best of both worlds in Portland.
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Established waterfront homes and custom Northshore builds
Between the 1950s and ‘70s, residences began to dot the bluffs overlooking Nueces Bay, Corpus Christi Bay and Sunset Lake. Portland's bay and lakefront homes can sell for over $1 million, but as properties move inland, they lower in price. The median home price in Portland is $289,000, roughly 44% lower than the national figure. Homes built in the early 2000s can be found in the sought-after Northshore neighborhood, offering custom homes with vaulted ceilings and a private country club.
Grand, Mediterranean homes along Corpus Christi Bay allow Portland residents lavish living.
Ranch-style homes and others line the Northshore Country Club in Portland.
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Gregory-Portland Independent School District
The Gregory-Portland Independent School District serves students in this coastal neighborhood and holds an A-minus rating from Niche. East Cliff Elementary School, Gregory-Portland Middle School, and Gregory-Portland High School are part of its pipeline. The elementary school is graded an A-minus rating by Niche, the middle school scores a B-plus and the high school scores a B. High school students were invited to express themselves and painted their parking lot with colorful murals containing symbols that represent coastal life, including sharks. For those wanting to earn a degree while staying close to home, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is 16 miles south in the Bay Area.
T.M. Clark Elementary School students receive a high-quality education.
All students living in Portland can excel academically at the East Cliff Elementary School.
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Events include Dive-In Movies and Kid Katch
Portland’s catalog of annual family-friendly events continues to grow, comprising Dive-in Movies at the pool and Kid Katch, a children’s fishing event at Indian Point Pier. The holidays are a big deal in Portland, specifically Christmas, which packs December with festive activities, including an ice-skating rink. Cass spearheaded the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration in Portland. Last year, over 3,000 people showed up for live music, food trucks and vendors in the city’s new Leisure and Entertainment District (LED). Portland runs a farmers’ market on Houston Street every first Saturday for seven months out of the year. Residents can also visit Corpus Christi for a day of fun at the Texas State Aquarium.
Connected to all of Corpus Christi via Harbor Bridge
While there are currently limited public transit options in the city, Portland does have a series of bike lanes and paths connecting parks, public facilities, schools and neighborhoods. For the nearest medical center and international airport, residents drive 16 miles south to Corpus Christi via Highway 181 and the Harbor Bridge. The bridge is currently undergoing a significant renovation and will be the largest cable bridge in the United States upon completion. The city also plans to allot $15 million toward a new healthcare campus.
Weather in Portland, Texas
Portland is at extreme risk of oppressive heat, with temperatures reaching upwards of 93 degrees Fahrenheit between May and September. The city is also at risk of high wind speeds, mostly between December and February. But even though some residents are on the beach, they don't have to worry too much about erosion, according to Cass. "We have the barrier island of Padre Island that breaks up the rotation of storms before they come into the Corpus Christi area. It helps tremendously." The island sits beside Portland, separated by a sliver of Corpus Christi Bay.
Veronica Munguia Duncan is a resident of Corpus Christi for over 30 years. Her business is based on more than 80 percent referrals from satisfied clients. Most important to Veronica is providing the most excellent service to buyers and sellers in order to earn their trust, referrals, and repeat business. Veronica has sold homes in all price ranges from starter homes and high dollar properties to island condominiums, townhomes, ranch properties, and investment properties. Clients appreciate her patience, flexibility, ability to listen and hear what a client wants, and her ability to accurately price and market a home. Veronica is Bilingual ( fluent in English and Spanish) and came to The USA 40 years ago from Mexico City with many hopes and dreams of becoming a successful individual. " Su Agente De Confianza"
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