So, your company just gave you the news: You’re relocating to the Gulf Coast. It can be difficult to live in different places for short periods of time. Each time you move you have to find a new grocery store, figure out where to go to the pharmacy, get your haircut, or find something to do for entertainment. We’ve got you covered with our Newcomer’s Guide to the Gulf that you can use as a tool to make your transition to our Beaumont corporate housing, Lake Charles corporate housing, or Port Arthur corporate housing a little bit easier.

Gulf Coast Beaches

The best part of temporarily living on the Gulf Coast, besides the food, is being near the beach. While the Gulf Coast is not famous for having great beaches, there are a few in the area that have been designated as the best. Check these out when you have some time off to relax:

• North Beach on Lake Charles: North Beach is the only white sand beach located inland on the entire Gulf Coast. Admission is only $1 per car and it is easily accessible from I-10. Take exit 30A if you are driving west on I-10 or take exit 29 if you are driving east. The public beach is open from 10am-8pm.
• Grand Isle: Grand Isle is the most popular beach in Louisiana and is about a 4-hour drive from Lake Charles. It is known for its fishing and birding opportunities. If you enjoy wildlife, this is the beach for you. Rent a vacation condo and enjoy the weekend.
• The Cajun Riviera: Known locally as the Cajun Riviera, this stretch of shoreline starts south of Lake Charles in Holly Beach and ends in Cypremort Point Beach south of Lafayette. The Cajun Riviera is a stretch of white sand beaches along the Gulf Coast where you can go relax for the day and enjoy the sand and sea. Holly Beach is less than one hour from Lake Charles.

Cajun Food & Gulf Seafood, BBQ & TexMex

Whether you know it or not, in coming to the Gulf Coast you’ve stumbled upon some of the most culturally-rich and delicious cuisine in the country. Both Tex-Mex and Cajun dishes are uniquely American, complex, and incredibly tasty — something hard to come by in the U.S. In addition to the excellent commingling of spices found in Cajun and Tex-Mex food, you get access to fresh shrimp and fish from the Gulf. You also get Texas BBQ. What more could you ask for in one destination? No matter if you’re closer to Beaumont, Lake Charles, or Port Arthur, head out to the nearest restaurant or market and load up on boudin, gumbo, Cajun shrimp, tamales, or BBQ pork ribs! You may have to drop a few pounds after your next move…

Grocery Stores & More

The main grocery stores in the area are HEB in Texas and the Market Basket chain of supermarkets in both East Texas and Louisiana. Large HEBs are great for variety and have in-store delis and bakeries. Some of the large Market Basket stores also have these amenities.

For your aesthetic needs, LoAn’s Beauty Chair in Beaumont is highly rated for men, women and children alike. If you need a haircut, schedule an appointment here. For a little extra TLC, head over to Spa Du Lac at L’auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles.

Nightlife

To enjoy the nightlife in Beaumont, head down to Crockett Street in the downtown area where you’ll find live music, dancing, restaurants, and of course, bars. Additionally, the casinos in Lake Charles will always give you something to do with their in-house bars and restaurants and sometimes concerts by famous artists. Martina McBride, Counting Crows, and Lynyrd Skynyrd have all performed at L’auberge Casino in the past year.