Is Corpus Christi Ghetto? It is a commonly asked question on Google

[@r.pres.4121]

Corpus Christi is primarily an industrial port city where most of the population is blue collar and working class. If you are expecting luxury and wealth on the scale of either Miami, San Diego, or Honolulu, you are definitely in the wrong city. Granted it has beautiful sandy beaches on its urban waterfront along with some modern high rise hotels nearby but CC is still primarily an industrial port city. If you want to see true ghetto head either to New Orleans, Jackson, Memphis, or Birmingham. If you want dangerous hard core ghetto, than Baltimore awaits you.

[@porquee]

🦀bodymore murdaland🦀 federal hill and the aquarium are really nice though

[@robertoobregon3750]

There are plenty of people with $$$$$ in Corpus, they are just regular people that have no need to pretend to be flashy, just the same as West Texas.

[@RayT70]

What are the beaches like? How nice are they?

[@darkones4370]

I like corpus bitches. And imma native

[@normajeanvas9532]

If hard working industrial people isnt your cup of tea…head over to Austin.

[@aarontxex]

I don’t think ghetto was ever defined. Not sure what you mean by ghetto. I come to Corpus Christi regularly, and I like the fact that it’s not Miami, it’s not Houston, it’s not Austin. Maybe the town just doesn’t want to be like that. With development and “investment “ you have overcrowded high priced homes, hotels restaurants traffic jams, which can also adversely affect the experience. maybe the town knows more what they want than you think. I have to respect them for doing it a little differently. to me, I always find a peaceful laid-back town with low stress. Very affordable way to enjoy the Texas coast.

[@paulland5589]

agreed. I live in Austin and enjoy every trip we take to CC. Going back In a week

[@seadawn8559]

hispanic detroit

[@texasmade456]

Born and raised in Austin and seeking less Investment .

[@jamiegrasso4365]

As a Floridians move to Orlando, Miami or Naples if you can afford it yourself. Looks good for people still working hard for their families, me from central Fla.

[@bennieknape4857]

That question is not real,if you are comparing Corpus to Dubai that is the dumbest thing ihave ever heard.

[@markeggert2163]

I think your research may be a bit lacking. US Hwy 37 was built along Hwy 9. The refineries were there BEFORE the highway. Corpus Christi was initially and primarily still is a port city. Like ANY other city it has upscale areas and slums as well as sort of a no-man's-land inbetween. The proximity between these areas in Corpus may near each other, but that's because Corpus in smaller that cities like Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, et cetera. As far as fine dining, well that is certainly subjective ... if your priority is hoity-toity ambiance then you may have a point, but if you want tasty sea food, barbeque or Mexican food and can't find it in Corpus then you aren't looking very hard. Your video was certainly well made but I think your just a bit too sour on Corpus Christi. But what do I know ... I'm from Mathis!

[@randomuser1596]

You are correct

[@daveb7663]

Exactly. The refineries HAVE to be there because that's where the ship channel is, and the highway into town has to be built as straight as possible coming from SA so geographically there is no practical other choice. I agree Corpus has yet to live up to it's potential, but a lot of the whining in this video is totally baseless.

[@MichaelKuchar]

I live downtown at the Cosmo and we enjoy it. We have the Hooks, IceRays, TAMUCC Islanders sports, the Harbor Playhouse, 5k/10ks on the bayfront on Saturdays, Rebel Toad, Bus, Executive, a new arcade bar opening, a new pastry place opened, 2x Sushi places, Bella Luna's for Italian plus other spots. heard we are getting another hotel, 25 minutes to North Padre, art walk on the 1st Friday of every month, we have food truck days, Wednesday is a CC sponsored run club at Lucy's. It's the perfect pace and not too crowded. Very affordable considering how close the ocean is. The Annex bar is new and really nice too. People here have been great. I don't have to leave downtown much unless we are going to the Alamo Drafthouse, retail shopping or to Port A or North Padre. I'm glad I moved here and I don't think it is ghetto. I grew up next to Paterson NJ. That's place was scary.

[@KevinTspirit]

Thank you. This gives me hope, just moved here again this weekend after 10+ years.

[@KingConor-t6g]

​@KevinTspirit Good luck fitting in. Theres barely any ⚫s in CC.

[@ronaldgavlick732]

If Corpus is Considered Ghetto then every city in America is Ghetto

[@r.pres.4121]

Along with almost every suburb.

[@ramencurry6672]

And every forest

[@VicVsqz-ue7hp]

Point,blank,Period …

[@philfromdallas]

The refineries were there before the highway was built. Calling it Detroit is an insult. CC doesn't have anything near the crime or poverty rate of Detroit.

[@kristirichards2249]

Husband and I went to Corpus in April for an ACL cornhole tournament that our son Mark was competing in. We absolutely loved it. The Omni downtown was wonderful. Outdoor pool with bar and a truly fabulous restaurant at the top of the hotel that we are told had a wonderful Easter brunch. We would happily return to Corpus any time! And the Selena monument along the water is so lovely!❤ as downtown's go, this one was very peaceful, little traffic - hoping the ACL comes back next year!!!

[@paullopez2021]

Maybe I'm biased because I have a ton of extended family in Corpus, but I always thought of Corpus as San Antonio's little brother. There's a classic San Antonio vibe to Corpus that is all but gone in SA, except for some areas of SA like 410/Marbach and the Southside. I would never settle down in Corpus, but it's nicer than people give it credit for.

[@jbcoker]

I think that the refineries are beautiful and represent a very good reason why Texas has one of the best economies in the USA. Definitely not Shit.

[@timennis3456]

BINGO! Matt Pierce is clueless and just a click-bait junkie producing useless, uninformative videos that help no one but himself.

[@THX.ISH.]

I laugh at this statement. The high rates of cancer , the long list of environmental laws which are constantly broken. Have you ever drove to the back of the refineries and see the amount of metallic liquid that is in the waterways? I grew up, was raised and moved out of Corpus Christi. Seems like the healthcare for one is really crappy. There’s not a lot of opportunities job wise unless you are in the refinery field I guess. I can tell you almost half of the people I went to Carroll high school do meth now. I have pictures of corpus when my grandparents first moved there and I have pictures of it now and I can tell you a lot has changed and it was for the worst. those refineries along our coastline are destroying the environment and they don’t give a shit about the people and their health. I used to think that the refineries were beautiful, but that was when I was ignorant of what damage it costs. Let’s hope that we don’t have a really bad hurricane and it destroys these refineries cause then you will see a really bad environmental disaster, but that’s if you care about the environment.

[@louie115]

i;ve live in corpus all my life. i was born here. its old, outdated, and that's due to the terrible and corrupt politicians who refuse to allow the city to prosper. for decades the people have fought and fought for improvements, major investments and so on but politicians won't do it. We need outside politicians that come from prospersous cities like dallas, austin, san antonio. the city is just old! this could be a world class city if we just had the right leadership.

[@joshuam664]

Absolutely agreed

[@zdzislawmeglicki2262]

Corpus Christi is a working city. It is an industrial and transportation hub. It is a military city and a major medical center. It is a college city. It is *not* a seaside resort. Even so, it offers a seaside resort environment on the shores of the bay and on Padre Island.

[@mattpierceblog]

Corpus Christi is NOT a major medical center. We do not have a Level I trauma hospital and the fact is that most serious issues have to be flown to San Antonio or Houston. Those are facts. To call CC a "military city" is also a little bit of a stretch because it is consistently on the BRACC consideration list for consolidation. Transportation hub is also a bit of a stretch because with the exception of a tanker port there is no serious rail or truck traffic--it generally runs to the Valley or Laredo. I am not sure I exactly follow you.

[@zdzislawmeglicki2262]

@@mattpierceblog The port of Corpus Christi is the 5th largest in the U.S. handling oil, petrochemicals, and agricultural produce of the area. CC is a home to Naval Air Station that employs over 6,000 civilians. The Army Depot on CC Bay is the largest helicopter repair facility in the World. The Spohn Health System of CC employs over 5,000 people. Two major freeways cross in the City, I37 and I69. These, plus the seaport, and the International Airport make the city a major transportation hub. There are several major oil refineries in the area. All of these and more make CC a working city, not just a pretty town on the bay.

[@mattpierceblog]

@@zdzislawmeglicki2262 this is correct, but being a major employer doesn't mean it is a major medical center. As far as the base goes, it's easily taken away--case and point, Kelly AFB in SA. It was a legacy base, staffed over 10k civilians and then one day they closed it under consolidation. Refineries are a big business here, but they are also an economic burden by paying less in property taxes than the average homeowners while using the "equal and uniform loophole." I also feel the fact that Port CC being a major player is a little bit of propaganda because they base this on tonnage and revenue as opposed to actual gross productivity. Texas A&M-CC can't pay most students to stay here because the money isn't here. Again, you have a point, but the points you and I are hitting are totally subjective. Corpus is a blue collar city but so are Detroit and Columbus. As far as interstates go, CC is just a spur....not an actual trade destination. Very little, if any, actual logistics begins or ends here. It could, but local leaders are smart enough to attract it. So in the end you end up just spinning in the mud going nowhere. That's the real problem.

[@RayHill-or8vm]

Born and raised here. Their is not a getto per se there are alot of hard working Hispanics and they are good people. Do not be afraid to go on and see the beatifull city by the sea and of course home of the Miller Buccaneers.

[@joshuam664]

It all starts with our city council. They won't allow newer better things. Without that changing nothing will. I am a born n raised Corpus Christi native.

[@mattpierceblog]

That is fair.

[@texbeaumont8134]

Depends on where you live in Corpus and where you hang out.

[@jamiegrasso4365]

I'm a Floridians those plants are jobs for working people. What are you saying? Don't get you.

[@gib7937]

Lived in Austin for twenty years or so, saw it grow from a "little big town" to the bustling, sold-out, overcrowded, marxist-controlled, cesspool that it is now. It happens to every city that wants to be a boomtown and pop-culture center. Outsiders come in, gentrification commences, old neighborhoods are leveled, long time residents are priced out of town in favor of trendy trust fund youngsters or DINCs, more trendy music and arts festivals that bring in tourists who stay to try to recapture the high they felt during said festival which then adds to the homeless population and feeds the homeless industry as well as invite more crime. It all looks great, new buildings, being a cultural center, but none of the longtime original residents remain as the soul of the city is gone. Outsiders come in and take over local politics and steer the city in a completely different direction. Big companies come, but they also bring their own talent with them along with more younger, highly educated talent from all over chasing after the opportunity to be a part of a trendy, booming culture forcing locals who had anticipated getting a high paying job to settle being a waitress or bartender with a Masters degree. I think if there was even the slightest hint that corpus christi would become like how Austin used to be in the 80s through mid 2000s, the town is done.

[@wagabaginc]

You hit the nail on the head

[@3rdcoastpesca]

you definately have not been to Port Arthur / Pleasure Island . that sir is the Detroit of Texas. Hands down way more refinerys of a place that used to be beautiful and plentiful

[@noemih6107]

It is very ghetto. I lived there. Many homeless people sleeping in the street. Many stray dogs. People throw their furniture on the sidewalk. Trash everywhere. Needles from junkies on the sidewalks. I was so sad and disillusioned.

[@mattpierceblog]

Noemi, thanks for the comment and for watching--truly grateful. We were just downtown today in the marina area and it was pure filth. Diapers and snow cone cups everywhere, garbage floating in the water, and just disorder all the way around. It could be such a wonderful place. Thanks again!

[@robin9876]

@@mattpierceblogAgreed! The trash/diapers are everywhere - that's ghetto people. (The southside & new places towards Yorktown are cleaner. I refuse to go past SPID or drive McArdle, etc.) Shameful! Nothing "sparkling"! Green water, no nice trees - just ugly palm trees that do not shade - useless. Even Selena statue gets dirty diapers across her statue - totaly disrespect!

[@jlynnc9559]

Corruption at its finest.

[@jonathanwstx]

I don’t know if I’d label Corpus Christi as ghetto. Because like all densely populated cities, it has ran down, old and forgotten neighborhoods and brand new developments and nice neighborhoods. But I do agree with you in the sense that Corpus Christi is it’s own worse enemy when it comes to forward progression.

[@seadawn8559]

hispanic detroit

[@michelle2131]

Live in Cc right now and your attitude is really negative. Certain parts of town are ghetto yes just like every city has its pockets of ghettos. The buildings are old yes a lot of history and culture here for Mexican Americans. The town is developing and has the potential to be great. I live in Calallen…and it’s great. On the outskirts and great schools. Corpus is great for shopping, the beach and can’t forget the food! The food here is awesome. Especially Mexican food. Central City area does have a lot of crime and shootings and cc can be dangerous if you disrespect the wrong person. We live 2 hrs near the border so a lot of shady activities here too. But overall I love my city. It’s developing but in a few years it will be a huge city like Houston or SA.

[@paulland5589]

😂

[@robertrandall8381]

Saved me a trip out there

[@engineerinhickorystripehat]

40 years ago , when you drove in on 37 past the refineries your first impression would be" what died?'' Well they don't stink anymore and the only thing they emit is Steam , but if you ever see it on TV they will use a yellow filter to insinuate it's sulfides .

[@dianemichel7824]

Amazing how the waterfront is beautiful, but drive away 3 blocks, homeless sleeping on the sidewalks, drunks everywhere. It does need a clean up!!

[@avall81]

Just like Waikiki

[@darknessandlife777]

Never been to California, I take it?

[@bradforward850]

I lived on North Beach back in 1983-1985 for 2 yrs. From age 19-21. I have a brother in Ingleside still to this day I go back and see once in a blue moon. North Beach was considered ghetto, And crime ridden for the most part. And it kind of was not the best place to live. I worked at Best Western Sandy Shores ,what is now The Raddison. Before the Lexington came along. Every time I go back there, I have to go to North Beach. And to this day, I miss the hell out of that little island under the bridge. Ghetto or not, some of the best times in my life were on that Beach.

[@hangarby10]

Good video - I was stationed in CC in the 90s and I've been to CC frequently over the years. Its such a strange city...the pot holes and poor road conditions are perplexing. Most of the city seems stuck in the late 80s; many of the areas, including sprawl, are noticeably blighted. Spent some time in the downtown area and it seems like there are some good places to eat, including bars. Many of the people that I've met with from CC, it just seems to me that they feel stuck in CC due to family ties, lack of educational resources, and job opportunities. Its kinda depressing.

[@lammchop-yolo]

Hahaha this guys back ground music is hilarious. Like someone died.

[@lcmarina]

Corpus isn’t ghetto because of the buildings, it’s ghetto because of the people

[@user-vz8th9ut9vc]

That’s crazy u say that corpus is the Detroit of Texas I moved here from Detroit in march and have been saying that I agree with the comment that it could rival Miami or Tampa it is some great neighborhoods here but it seems that the “powers at be”keep the city in a choke hold preventing the growth it deserves and the job market is terrible here they don’t pay shit jobs that start off in the 20s no experience required start at 10-11 dollars seems like the city is stuck in the 80s-90s on wages could be a great place with big money but it seems like there is a grinch around here fucking it up for everyone

[@florptytoo]

💯

[@engineerinhickorystripehat]

I was just standing in line at a barbecue joint behind a dozen framers and carpenters , "here to do the jobs Americans don't want to do ." Yeah, it's like that . Even the plumbers and electricians are imported now .

[@RealMACGamer]

You hit the nail on the head. No investment in the city. Industry has bled it dry for decades, siphoning the income off the backs of poor people

[@ToddSaw]

What does this guy have against the refineries? They are majestic.

[@JeromePowell-t9p]

It definitely adds to the scenery.

[@iamplaymaka]

I just moved to Dallas & it seems a little more bougie than Houston really. CC def looked nice from the pictures on Google. This was good. Thanks Matt.

[@jamesseabolt5915]

I don't think Corpus Christi is ghetto. And I live in San Bernardino County, California. I've seen ghetto. I used to be stationed in Beeville, Texas and spent many a weekend in Corpus. I was there last year on vacation, and yes I was on my way down to Port Aransas. Lol I think Corpus Christi is a nice city, except for the occasional hurricane. Not the cities fault.

[@JeromePowell-t9p]

California is lawless and ghetto because the police don't arrest criminals only law abiding citizens.

[@Kdub09swm]

I grew up in Corpus Christi on the south side of town and every couple of months I come back to visit. There is just a lot of the city that is rotting and coming apart even in the parts where I grew up. There isn't really a young person scene even at the University (Del Mar, TAMU-CC) and most of the kids leave because of the lack of opportunity. I grew up sailing and the sailing scene in Corpus Christi is mostly old guys in retirement (still can be fun though). You can see domestic migration data for the USA and you can see a lot of people have been leaving the city in the last couple of years post-Covid. I love Corpus in most ways, but it just seems like a city in slow decline and it can be depressing to watch that.

[@rbsmith3365]

Around Saratoga area?

[@Kdub09swm]

@rbsmith3365 I grew up further south around the lakes area. South side is one the few areas where there is genuine growth and young-ish families in that one area. Went to Flour bluff HS though.

[@terrytolentino5459]

I've lived in Detroit and New Orleans; Corpus Christi is Not ghetto. Far from it!

[@JeromePowell-t9p]

If you compared it to those hellholes it's not but definitely far from being a nice area.

[@joetaylor2394]

Agreed, it’s subjective. The city’s largest sources of revenue come from petroleum and government/military and when either of them slow down so goes the tax revenues. TAMU-CC graduates leave for other cities not just because of the lack of opportunities but nobody will pay them anything commensurate to the education and skills they’ve earned. When the local economy due to the lack of investment can’t retain its youth there’s no chance for growth, to say nothing about the corruption in local government. It’s an embarrassment. U&I is the only restaurant I’ll go to downtown or even recommend but it’s nothing special, all the others are horrible. It’s heartbreaking knowing the potential could be better and many wasted opportunities due to malfeasance and ineptitude ruined it, but the addiction to exploitation of cheap labor and being #2 to Cook County IL (Chicago) for being the most litigious in the USA, Corpus is scorched earth. Sorry to say it, but that’s just the honest truth

[@mattpierceblog]

Joe, thanks for the comment and for taking the time to watch the video. You are right on all accounts--especially about U&I--It is a classic. And as to the comment about the education vs. the pay my wife is one of them. She has a degree in Economics from TAMU-CC and has interviewed around here locally and the pay is nowhere near what she has been offered elsewhere in the state. Not even close. I mean we are talking $20K to $50K difference for the same job in another Texas city. Our son graduates high school in May from CC-Flour Bluff and is going into nursing school. Sadly, he is committed to leaving Corpus Christi because the opportunities are better just two hours north or in Houston, Lubbock, or even East Texas in Tyler. I'm just glad I am not the only person to see this. Thank you so much for the comment and for watching the video!

[@evildork6805]

​@@mattpierceblog I have family in Tyler.

[@TsarAlexander1918]

Why didn’t you drive down South Padre Island Drive? Or Crosstown Expressway??

[@I-Libertine]

When you're driving into town, do you hear that creepy music, too?

[@hihrd1]

CC is ghetto but its a working class town not really a tourist destination. its badly run and there are some parts that are def ghetto but it is a pretty town and the draw of the coast and padre island is what makes CC great. i love CC, my kids love it...spent a good portion of my youth there. if you aint gonna visit the lexington, the aquarium or the beach, why go to CC?

[@mattpierceblog]

I think that is a fair comment. There are a few great places in Corpus...just like anywhere. But sadly, the problem is what you say....it is badly ran.

[@redrocket604]

I always say the CC is like a smaller version of Houston 😂

[@jbcoker]

I'd rather live in CCTX than in Austin.

[@ZEUStheKingGermanShepherd]

💯💯💯

[@BetaBuxDelux]

I guess if you don’t want to work it’s a good choice. 😂

[@jbcoker]

@@BetaBuxDelux I haven’t been unemployed for the last 40 years. 😂

[@kelleymcbride4633]

Truth

[@TheBikemaster94]

Are the people political? Is there racism? How's the police ?😮

[@annex6]

Im researching Gulf towns/cities because Ive been land locked after the Navy. So would you say "Pick another one" to get my hopes up about." I had a brief 2 day stay in CC, went to Padre Island and that was it. I didnt see downtown close up or tour but I have to say while I was there it felt like a shell. I couldnt quite put my finger on it till' now. Then people say it's dirty and the crime is really bad. So would you advise a middle-aged, hopeful looking to plant roots the last half of his life to look somewhere else?

[@sonyagonzales4290]

Yes!!!! It’s so ghetto! The way the city is ran is HORRIBLE! There are parts of town that have nice houses, but most of it is old and dirty

[@annex6]

@sonyagonzales4290 that's a shame. When you even here the name "Corpus Christi", you think it sounds like a beautiful resort type of place. Don't get me wrong I like the sleepy beach town environment. I'd rather not have a bunch of tourists all around, but the crime and trash are a different matter. Be safe if Harold is coming ashore there.

[@avall81]

Most of the people that say it’s ghetto live in the ghetto. Look on the south side of town. Lots of investment and nice houses. Most of the ghetto parts are around the refineries, but that’s just like any other city. If you don’t work in the refineries, there’s really no reason to be on that side of town anyways.

[@WaKincaid]

Chorus Christy needed to follow a Florida model to success as a destination. It could have capitalized on a Sun City aspect, a beautification effort , plant trees , plant them by the millions

[@lynne5762]

Ghetto better than east coast

[@donmarek7001]

I'd still safer at night in most parts of CC than other major cities in Texas or elsewhere.

[@jdrs4214]

Corpus Christi has too many abandoned commercial buildings, looks a bit antiquated, and has quite a bit of rough bumpy roads.

[@mattpierceblog]

You certainly see it. What is sad is that at one time so many of those buildings were full of life and business.

[@whitneychapman1503]

Just a bit? lol 😂

[@sleepe361]

I was born and raised in Corpus. But moved away 25 yrs ago came to Colorado. And Corpus will always be home for me. But honestly it hasn't changed very much at all honestly. I remember it in the 80s-90s and it was bad. And very little has been modernize in downtown from knowing it as a kid. It was sad visiting it again after i left in the mid 90s. I cruised from downtown to flour bluff and everything in between just visiting old neighbors and places i live at. And it was just visiting the struggle i left behind my whole upbringing there. It's a hard city to really live in and couldn't imagine trying to raise a family there,because the economy and job's pay very low there too. If you can make it legitimately making a honest living here much props. But most turn to the street's to come up or to survive in some way shape or form. If you ain't got you're own business,or working a good paying job or have a good career you ain't gonna make it,and it's gonna be hard. Ain't nothing given or easy coming out Corpus for reals.

[@joshuahinton2595]

I moved from Corpus to Colorado as well about a decade ago. When I was getting out of the military and looking for jobs 'back home' it was clear I wasn't going to find the kind of growth and opportunities I hoped for, especially for my kids. I've been back a few times to visit and haven't noticed much of a difference. Graffiti, boarded up windows, psychotic drivers, and just so much trash everywhere.

[@diabolivirtusen-tavares-ea4392]

CC has the potential to rival Miami & Tampa. But the citizens gotta put in work in order for that to happen.

[@r.pres.4121]

You have to have forward thinking local leadership from both public and private sectors and they need to work together to make Corpus Christi more attractive and marketable to new development and investment. The citizens also need to be onboard as well.

[@diabolivirtusen-tavares-ea4392]

@@r.pres.4121 yes thats very True

[@casacarvajal3938]

man i have been saying this for 6 yrs.. yes sir you are right

[@JeromePowell-t9p]

It will never rival any Florida city. The beaches can't come close to any Florida beach. Not to mention who wants to look at the refineries your way to the beach. It kind of ruins the whole Island feel.

[@KevinTspirit]

Born and raised in metro Detroit, but Texas has been home for a long time. San Antonio was home for many years, and then my health failed badly. Spent the last 2 years up in Fort Worth with family recuperating, and going through disability process. I lived in Corpus for 1 year, more than 10 years ago. Oddly, I just signed a lease here in Corpus today. When I rode into Corpus Saturday I was actually stunned, nothing had really changed, but everything also looked really worn down. I picked Corpus this time because it is a smaller more relaxed and affordable city. I agree, parts of CC remind me of Detroit, but Detroit has come back strong and glorious. I'm wishing the same for CC

[@terrytolentino5459]

I went to John Glenn and Wayne memorial highschool. You? Corpus Christi is Not Detroit.

[@GrowingwithYahushua]

We love Corpus.

[@kitten103083]

I love Corpus Christi and live in dfw. I don’t think it’s “ghetto” there are some more poorer areas but not ghetto imo.

[@rbsmith3365]

Corpus Christi is NOT a ghetto! Neighborhood to neighborhoods are different. In 1966, my family moved down there from San Antonio and, we lived in a nicest new house on Gabriel near McBride elementary and got our first washing machine. Got a new Oldsmobile 67 JetStar 88. We had lot of fun, beaches, picnic etc. until 1968, my mother developed a bad mental health problem. It’s a long story until February 1969, we moved to Roswell New Mexico where my father’s folks lived on ranch. No complaints we visited lot of interesting places including Lincoln National Forest and Carlsbad Cavern. We lived there for 6 months and moved back to Texas panhandle in Seminole, Texas. Nearly 3 months later, I got deadly meningitis. My parents argued a lot and had a new baby too. Two years later, we moved back to San Antonio for good. Lot of money. Until 4 and half years my father wanted to move to Virginia and my mother dangerous temper exploded. My father was a wimp for not run out and call police. Father promised two years and our new home of 18 months was wasted. Mother’s mental health went cuckoo. Two years turned 6 years until 1982, my father decided to move back to Corpus Christi. ( I was in college in west Texas.) They split up. And now, they’re gone. Mother’s lesson not to marry a HS dropout and unstable lifestyle. My last time in CC in Independence Day 1992.

[@ladellbrown3462]

I see nothing wrong with corpus. I like towns that have nice areas and regular areas because everyone isn't rich in usa towns or cities

[@belief_in_your-self6949]

I'm from Detroit and the city I love has made tremendous changes in the last 10 years and yes you have pockets of low income which you will have in any major city in the US. It was the people of Detroit are the ones who turned it around and also the ones who keep it "Getto" as you say. The people of Corpus Christi who can do the same and I plan on being one of them in the next couple months. For some one like me, I'll take the Blue Color working class over the Upper Middle class any day of the week

[@courtneyraymer6586]

As you say, your video is “subjective”;but you show very little of the positive and quite a lot of the negative. I was born here in 1945 and moved away in 1954. I was able to get back for two visits in 1956 and 1962. Each time I cried when I had to return to Illinois. Fast forward to 2000 and my late husband brought me back to Corpus to reminisce. I felt so happy to be home again. Of course, some of the old familiar areas were sad to see, but the ones that had been most important to me had thrived. My old neighborhood is now part of the historical section of town and is still idyllic. My old church is even better, if that’s possible. The writer Thomas Wolfe said, “You Can’t Go Home Again”. Well, he was wrong in my case. If you think we’re comparable to Detroit, go spend a winter there. I moved back here in 2011 and thank God every day that I did.

[@thomasreilly6362]

Corpus Christi doesn't have an identity. It needs to find one to grow.

[@rush48192]

You clearly have never been to Detroit Michigan, maybe Detroit TX

[@kayhenry6293]

I was born, and grew up, in Corpus. Back then, it was a really nice place to live. I left in 2007 and haven’t been back since. It was big time ghetto when I left and friends who have gone down there tell me that it’s way worse now. There are a few okay areas, but you have to really look for them. It’s because the people who live there have no pride in anything, themselves included.

[@jordanguzman8697]

It’s cool to see you make a video but you literally didn’t go anywhere but to the hood and ocean drive lmao and went no where nice or interesting and said it’s ghetto what the hell lmao you didn’t mention even a single nice place to eat didn’t visit any places your suppose to visit and literally the drive time to port a and the island are so small for people to visit it’s like no time at all compared to a huge city like New York or cali and if you live somewhere you don’t have a beach it’s also very nice if you enjoy fishing. If you ever want to make another video I’ll show you around lmao because this whole music and showing practically nothing only bad is very inaccurate and funny!

[@aristotle.SFC1]

Outstanding video my friend.

[@guyburgwin5675]

I do want to see this shit. Wealth and palm trees are nice but I want to know how regular people live.

[@bryanc.5463]

There’s some “ghetto” areas but it’s mostly middle class.

[@daneh3443]

Oil refinery is my livelihood.

[@avinaysingh3904]

Well if you want cheaper fuel. Then deal with the refinery.. otherwise move to the west coast and pay 5 dollars a gallon

[@renderedinoperable]

Love the video and very well presented. The info is spot on

[@mattpierceblog]

Thanks for the comment and for watching the video, Jerry!

[@TechnologyofFreedom]

Your language betrays your attitude. If you don't love it, leave.

[@I-Libertine]

Mark my words: this will be the next major investment spot.

[@whitneychapman1503]

Gross, I feel sorry for whoever dumps their money here. Bought a house back in 2019. I’m going to rent and gtfo of here.

[@willjoseph1472]

The narrator had some valid points, but unfortunately, it did appear that he really liked hearing the sound of his voice. When Visiting Corpus it’s always better to take the crosstown Expressway anyway due to the heavy construction of the bridge project and you can make your way down Ocean Drive easier Starting at the south end. Now I have noticed in my visits to Corpus that there is quite a bit of investment going on in the retail sector and with the university as well as lots of housing in the northwest and south part of town. In every city, there is an older part where there is naturally no investment because of the current trend to find the best financial investment in growing areas. The demand for investment in those older parts is definitely on the shoulders of the council and mayor to ensure that roads and infrastructure in those areas as well as schools are modernized or replaced and kept up-to-date. That is something informed and responsible citizens living in those areas should continually pressure that body to address. And it’s also interesting that a white man would use that term when asking the question if a part of town that is likely heavily low income and minority is in fact, unattractive and ghetto. Again, he kept saying it so much that it was clearly just so he could hear his voice. It’s also clear that he must have an affection or connection to that city, but politically it is also a city that is in a very confused state as the ruling class seems to be leftovers from the 80s trickle down economics business model. And also love to use fear tactics in reference to the fossil fuel industry to sway voters and pray on the uninformed. That would be the first thing that needs to change and I think from what I have seen they are slowly turning the corner to really using a mix use of industry, tourism, education, and common sense, while focusing on the right kind of growth. Even parts of New Braunfels can be considered ghetto if you use his perspective.

[@tonioyendis4464]

Thanks for this! I live in Houston and CC is one of my favorite places to take a few days getaway! I just wish that they had more than just only the Omni for quality hotel accommodations!

[@dincrutcher]

You sure it ain't California it looks like San Diego before they messed it up. It down right Super, super fantastic beautiful ❤❤❤❤ If it was not in crazy red neck Texas. Man that city's beautiful ❤❤❤

[@sb-jq1rl]

Real Ghetto is Baltimore, San Fran, & Chicago.

[@whitneychapman1503]

Come have a look here then get back to us.

[@panthercityair3009]

Nice video, I like the way it's put together. There's definitely a lot to discuss there, more than is worth doing in KZbin comments. Interesting to hear that much insight from a local

[@mattpierceblog]

Much appreciated!

[@Tkdofn]

Bro! It’s a port city Will be number one port in USA So yeah it’s industrial Ocean Drive is gorgeous South Side is a very clean and safe area Downtown is transitioning Very pretty city

[@mattpierceblog]

Actually, I don't think it is number one. I think it is more accurate to say that it is a leader in some aspects of port operations and numbers, but it is FAR from being number one. Certainly, a busy place, but by far not the stand alone number one. That is just BS data put out by the Port's PR consultants.

[@Dnic3618]

He is referencing CC as ‘ghetto’ because the area needs an infrastructural overhaul. So many dilapidated building and residences that need a face lift, or complete demo. Let’s face it, we have excessively high property taxes for our roads, medians, and highways to look the way they do. You can tell its height was mid-century and I love the MCM aesthetic, but the powers that be within city council have let this area rot. More concerned with this new bridge (the builder in and of itself terrifies me based upon their history) and people get excited over a Cheesecake Factory at the mall. This area is at least 20+ years behind the rest of the country. I’m sorry that some of the commenters don’t understand or see from an outside perspective because Nueces County is the only place they have ever resided; however, there are beach areas that extend far beyond the likes of this place. There is no innovation, only industry. No growth mindset. Personally after going on six years, I’m done with this area.

[@mattpierceblog]

That is how long we lasted there and the straw that broke the camel's back with us was exactly that--it wasn't getting any better and the power brokers want to retain inside investment and fight like Hell against outside investors. That is a real problem. Let's face it--casino gaming will eventually become a reality in Texas and Corpus Christi is a prime location to make a big splash with that but you hit the nail on the head about Cheesecake Factory and places like that. People in Corpus will cause a traffic jam for a Raising Cain's but they won't raise Hell about their local leaders and the lack of innovation and foresight held within the grips of the local power brokers. They think "good is good and can't get better unless we do it." That Rodd Field "road to nowhere was an absolute insider deal that was bad for everyone but the councilman who wanted it and the developers that lobbied him. I am sorry, but CC is broken and I am not sure it can ever be repaired.

[@spidermdza]

Very well thought and explained… not everyone is as honest as you, but it’s also a cost effective, affordable city with clean public beaches.

[@jlynnc9559]

A lot of corruption in Corpus.

[@RoseR-h9h]

Yup

[@RoseR-h9h]

In my opinion, the corruption is what keeps the city from progressing. Their city hall and Nueces county officials cartel are stealing the money that should be being invested.

[@RayTuttle-of5qd]

Last time I was there was in about 73 it was nice spent a week on Padre island surfing and just hanging out used to go into Corpus to eat and check out the nightlife

[@mrbiglungz1789]

If someone invested into updating the hotels and restaurants, I feel like you will still be a hater.

[@robin9876]

Hotels & restaurants are fine! But what about some FUN?

[@bennieknape4857]

This is not Miami ,never will be. And No Corpus is not getto,getting, you are.

[@stacky512a]

Great short video. Driving through in a few weeks time for the day.

[@mattpierceblog]

Thanks for watching and for the comment! I'd love to know what your thoughts after your visit here. It does have some really great parts to it but I would love to know what you think. Thanks again!

[@robin9876]

@@mattpierceblog You are so kind. I critisize CC all the time so I left for a cooler place to live. Was forced to come back to same ol stuff, but worse. Many of us never see the true ghettos because that's mostly on the Westside. New things are building up towards Yorktown but few make it for lack of business - sad. 20 new places are supposedly coming to downtown soon but I don't want to go downtown! I can't enjoy a cocktail then drive home! (At least there is Harrington's Landing restaurant on the water, Water Street & a few more now - but I don't want to drive there) And it's freaking hot as Hades! And humid - ugh. (CC lucked out getting PF Changs & The Cheesecake Factory - I'm surprised, but glad) Thx 4 the video.

[@Sally01d]

The mayors have opted to keep the downtown area older buildings as is for its arquitecture and history. A few have been remodeled.

[@robin9876]

Yes, like making The Ritz Music Hall come back again. But they tear down historical things, too. Bass Pro (& skating rink) wanted to go to the Memorial Coliseum but backed out, another huge company backed out because all they saw were attorney's ads wanting to sue Everywhere so they backed out. Those a huge missed opportunities.

[@robin9876]

A huge corporation wanted to come here (among others, like Bass Pro) but saw so many billboards of attorneys getting people to sue, sue, sue so they said "This is not our type of city we want to build in - so they left." I hate palm trees, ugly live oak ,SPID is sad & old. Mostly have Mexican food - not alot of cool places - even Schlitterbahn went down. A small city lilke Kamora (sp?) & Galveston have cool roller coasters & fun on the boardwalks they built. CC has nothing like that. It's a fishing village to me. I left the day I turned 18. Forced back due to health & same old, same old stuff. Refuse to drive McArdle, Everhart, SPID, etc. Just depresses me. (Port A has great fresh seafood! Gourmet)

[@mrodriguez4829]

Corpus is tired and outdated. It’s an industry city more than a tourist city. While Texas beaches aren’t the best, it’s what we have, know, and grew up with. Corpus has a ton of potential but it will be, for the lack of a better word, forever stuck.

[@mattpierceblog]

100%

[@drb78416]

Well don't come to Corpus Christi.

[@nerioperezjr.6087]

It’s a shame watching this video and the decline Corpus Christi,as a child I grew up visiting my grandparents during the summer months downtown was so vibrant with Woolworth and restaurants we could go and have a nice dinner, but yeah, the city has no kind of direction.

[@aristotle.SFC1]

I was raised in Corpus and still have tons of friends and family there. Never going back.

[@mattpierceblog]

You know, sadly, this is the truth for a lot of us. There is nothing keeping us there or keeping our investment dollars or efforts there. Nothing.

[@Joe-ps8ko]

Is Snoopy’s by the bay any good?

[@RoseR-h9h]

Snoopy's isn't fancy, but it is fresh and very delicious. Great scenic area and view also. I would recommend right before sunset. Great food! You picked a good one 👍👍

[@21gramz]

About 5 1/2 into the video I have a friend who lives on ocean drive but the water side and he purchased the 2 orange circlar boats that where at the trade center parking lot ,he is wanting them to be a short term rental .they are in his back yard. You can probably see them from the park on ocean drive

[@mattpierceblog]

Sounds like your friend is all set for an aquatic Airbnb business! Time to make some waves!

[@DavidDominguez-xf6mp]

Why don’t you say what you really mean quit beating around the bush. Look what happened to San Francisco or Austin with thier gentrification. Stay the same corpus we love you.

[@benitalpaxton8120]

504 square miles... I ❤ Corpus Christi

[@walterjimenez78]

When I drive to Corpus you do see the oil refineries, but I get happy because I know that I'm just a couple of minutes away from the beach. My focus is on the Beach not the refineries.

[@JeromePowell-t9p]

Unfortunately you can still see oil rigs on from the beach. Kind of ruins majestic island atmosphere.

[@alejandrocasarez1977]

Love corpus every city has a getto area i perfer corpus than any other city in the usa

[@re8746]

Padre Island is the place to live if you have to move to the Corpus area. CC is an old and dirty city. Employment there is geared towards the service industry. Low wage city.

[@christhembones8244]

I’m originally from Port Arthur, TX area but live in Massachusetts. Every time I drive from Houston to Port Arthur I ask the same question ‘why would you build a refinery and highway right there’? Terrible planning compared to some other states. Anyways, I’m looking for a condo to come back to TX. I guess I have to mark Corpus off the list unfortunately.

[@ghoul53]

Corpus Christi had some awesome shows when stardust ballroom was around back in the day

[@Raventherose]

I was homeless in corpus Christi for 10 months and me and my wife would sleep at a park off Agnes, literally every other week we would hear some one get either stabbed or shot to death, yeah I'd say the city's pretty ghetto

[@mattpierceblog]

Sorry to hear this!

[@jamiegrasso4365]

I wouldn't say oil refinery jobs and high paying energy jobs as ghetto Florida resident. Looks nice and relaxing

[@RoseR-h9h]

Hahahahahaha...the people who write that are mad because they have that, "I'm from CC," proud bias. I'm from CC and it is not only ghetto, it pretty much sucks. To visit for the weekend or come into town to see a concert or festival, ok....but other than that...uh no. The residents don't even realize how much and bad it sucks because this is all they know. I can see your relation of it to Detroit, and Galveston and Texas City are the same... except they have a higher crime rate per capita. Port Isabel is how CC should strive to be....a South Beach Miami type thing. But alas, no. You're right, they don't know what they're doing down here. Clueless city planners and managers. They just messed up the entire bridge project too, while losing their iconic bridge "look" they were known for isn't a good idea either. Should be same type of looking bridge....just taller, bigger, and higher. Corpus Christi facts: Highest teenage pregnancies, obesity, illiteracy rate, drug usage per Capita, and taqueria businesses per capita....also one of the 4 major blue dog ticket stronghold areas in the United States with the ranking as one of the highest rates in comparison to LA, Chicago, and NY with corruption and civil rights violations within their judicial system and law enforcement departments. It's great if you're an oil refinery worker though. So like I said....for a weekend or a concert... that's about it.

[@carefulconsumer8682]

Used to be relatively nice. Now it's too crowded and filthy.

[@whitneychapman1503]

I’ve been here for six years. It’s going nowhere insofar as growth and development. People are as trashy as the streets. People don’t give a f about you or anything you own. Expect to see beaters on the roads because the driving is unlike anything I have ever seen (after living on the east coast). It’s highly violent, police being severely understaffed, and criminals never getting punished. It’s awful, with the exception of the beach. That may very well be the saving grace of the entire area. Not a safe place, not a good place to raise your kids. It’s atrocious.

[@mattpierceblog]

I think you sum it up nicely.

[@rubynelson1164]

Why are referring to refineries as shit? That is how people earn a living.