Galveston: Homebuyers are flocking to this historic coastal community

The Lone Star State has several coastal cities, and Galveston is one of the most popular. This historic island city on the upper Texas coast of the Gulf of Mexico is about 245 miles east of downtown San Antonio and 50 miles from downtown Houston. Tourists will discover there is plenty to explore along the island’s 32-miles of coastline. Along with the relaxing beaches and multiple family-friendly tourist attractions, residents and visitors also can enjoy the many historical areas such as Galveston’s Historic Seaport and the Strand Historic District, aka The Strand, in downtown Galveston. Here you can shop and dine along the waterfront, enjoy live music, visit a museum, and more. The Strand is where the city holds many annual celebrations, including its Mardi Gras festivities and Dickens on the Strand during the holidays. Those who have been waiting to book a cruise will be glad to know that Carnival Cruise Line plans to resume operations out of the Port of Galveston starting July 3rd.

Broker Gay Fundling grew up on the West End of the island; it’s also where she began her real estate career in 1984. Fundling has been running her own company, Galveston Island Real Estate, since 2007. She has seen the city undergo quite a few changes over the years but said the current seller’s market is unlike anything she’s seen in her 30 years in the real estate industry. “It’s like everybody wants to be here,” Fundling said. “It’s the open ocean and I do believe that people are always attracted to water.”

What a difference a year makes, last March when cities started shutting down because of the pandemic, Fundling thought she might have to close her business. But then she saw the tide turn in her favor. “All of a sudden people were moving out of

Photo: Houston Association of REALTORS®