‘Love where you live’ is one of the great positive mantras, but how many of us truly get to embody it? Ask any resident of League City, in Texas’ Galveston County, and they’ll do you one better: Life in League City is but a dream.

“They say living in League City is easy,” Nick Long, Mayor of League City, tells The CEO Magazine. “I believe what they mean by that is that it’s safe, predictable and has a local government that proactively addresses issues when they arise.”

Nick’s history with League City goes back a fair way. He was raised in League City and, after studying and starting his career in Austin, returned to the city with his wife, Kari, to raise their family and concentrate on local politics.

“We both went to Clear Creek High School here in League City, and that’s where we met,” Kari Long says. “When we wanted to start our family, we moved back here to be closer to our extended family.”

The decision made sense from a practical standpoint, but for Kari, there was a deeper meaning.

“My family has lived in Galveston County for over a century, so we have deep roots here in the League City area,” she says. “I was happy to come back, and now our kids are in junior high and high school, so they keep us very busy. It’s a nice full circle moment.”

Growing gains

The bucolic appeal of League City is undeniable for locals and new arrivals alike. That’s why the population is poised to grow from 125,000 to nearly 250,000 over the next decade, according to council projections.

According to Kari, the quality of life offered by League City is unbeatable.

“It’s a combination of affordable living, strong services and safety and a very family-friendly environment,” she says. “Our median age is 36 with an average of three children per household, and the quality of life matters to the city’s growth strategy.”

With so much to offer, League City is easily able to attract and retain talent, thereby supporting a sustainable economy and economic development.

“That differentiates us in a very competitive landscape,” she says. “There are many other suburban areas in Houston, for instance, that you could choose to live in, but so many folks are choosing to live here in League City.”

Nick says that his focus is on infrastructure development as he and his team brace for the population boom.

“It’s an opportunity to take all the good things about League City and preserve them while learning lessons from the past to make sure we address drainage and infrastructure up front,” he says.

Draining the swamp

Drainage has been an issue for League City as long as anyone can remember. Its location on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico puts it squarely in the path of Atlantic hurricanes, which can cause severe flooding.

When the council undertook the Grand Parkway, one of League City’s biggest ever infrastructure initiatives, Nick used the opportunity to address some of the city’s drainage issues.

“The Grand Parkway is a giant ring road that bypasses Houston, connecting State Highway 146 to Brazoria County,” he says.

“As it comes online, we have an opportunity to expand on the west side of town. This massive development represents the last major opportunity in League City, and we’ve worked with developers, landowners and residents to create a plan that will take advantage of the unique aspects of the west side while improving drainage and infrastructure for the city as a whole.”

As transformative as work like this can be, Nick says he’s not looking for growth simply for growth’s sake.

“The City is open to any development that can be responsibly built without government handouts and within the rules set out. We believe in development paying its own way,” he adds.

The getaway

There is a considerable silver lining to the City’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, according to Kari.

“Part of why League City is so vibrant is that we have so many parks, trails and access to water and coastal ways, Galveston Bay and into the Gulf,” she says.

“You can kayak or play in the dog park, and you’re still able to be in downtown Houston in 25 minutes. I don’t think you can get that in a lot of other large cities – a place to live, work and play.”

The recreational options offered by the waterways make League City a top vacation spot; many holidaymakers never want to leave.

“I think that’s why so many young families choose to live here,” Kari says.

“Our city does such a great job with youth activities, sports and senior pastimes. We cover a wide range of ages in our community, and the council curates different programs to help with each of those age groups.”

The Helen Hall Library is a particular standout; aside from its activity schedule for young and old, it’s a favorite place for young parents to read with their children.

“And then there’s Hometown Heroes Park, where you can find seniors playing pickleball and aerobics during the day, while in the evening it’s all about basketball games or charity organization meetings,” she says. “There’s always something going on in League City for every walk of life.”

City of industry

When playtime is over, League City is also an ideal place to build a career. Close to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the major employment hubs of Houston and its own abundance of job opportunities in aerospace, energy and healthcare sectors among others, League City is a business hotspot.

“We house the North American headquarters for INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA and INEOS Oligomers, as well as American National Insurance, one of the largest insurance firms in the country,” Kari says.

“And it’s just very cool to live in a city where so many astronauts, rocket scientists and aeronautic executives want to live and work.”

Situated between the Port of Houston and the Port of Galveston, League City has the best of both worlds without big city hassles, she adds.

“You can live here and still have that high-quality coastal lifestyle, you can still find so many career opportunities and you can enjoy one of the safest cities in Texas.”

On the map

Nick likes to joke that League City is the largest town nobody’s ever heard of, but that joke’s use-by date is rapidly approaching.

“We’re one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas,” Kari says. “The city’s doing a great job attracting new residents. It’s perfectly aligned with modern values, and it has all the support a modern workforce is looking for.”

Nick says League City stands apart for so many reasons, and his job is to widen that gap even further.

“It’s up to me to create a fair, predictable and efficient government that focuses on the priorities of the community,” he says.

“That’s why we focus on infrastructure, public safety and community amenities, and it’s why we boast nationally recognized schools, low crime rates and competitive low tax rates compared to many areas. It’s urban convenience without sacrificing safety and family-friendly living.”

For Kari, free from the burdens of being in charge, living the League City life is a pleasure she looks forward to sharing with others.

“We make it very easy to no longer have to choose between your career and quality of life. Right here, in our great city, you can get both,” she says.