Cotulla, TX

Cotulla sits right along Interstate 35 in the South Texas Brush Country, roughly halfway between San Antonio and Laredo. The town got its start in the early 1880s when Polish immigrant Joseph Cotulla offered land to bring the railroad through, quickly establishing the area as the county seat for La Salle County. You can still see that history in the quiet downtown streets surrounding the historic courthouse. Past the busy highway corridor, the community moves at a relaxed pace bordered by open skies and working cattle ranches.

ATTRBilly Hathorn / CC BY-SA 3.0

Home to around 3,700 residents, Cotulla serves as the central hub for local schools, county services, and everyday errands. The Nueces River flows along the southern edge of town, and the surrounding countryside draws plenty of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the fall and winter. Living here offers a grounded, small-town lifestyle steeped in South Texas ranching culture, paired with a straight drive up the interstate whenever you need big-city shopping and airports.