There's a university opening at Lamar. My opinion has not been high about Beaumont although this opinion has been as a result of word of mouth.
I'm used to living in Houston area suburbs, Dallas, Denton, and Commerce. I like the woods and dislike too much concrete. My wife would have to find a job at a hospital.

Advice/opinions about Beaumont?
TIA

You might try posting this in the Houston board. I know for me, Beaumont may as well be Houston.

It's not as bad as people who don't live there say. That said, check out some of the towns around Beaumont. Nederland is a very short drive from the Lamar campus. Also, Lumberton is growing, and they have some nice new neighborhoods. The west end of Beaumont proper is a good area if you're looking in town.

I live in the south end of Silsbee. My wife works in Beaumont, and I drive there to the gym every day. The only bad part is going through Lumberton when the school zones are in effect. I went to Lamar a couple of years before transferring to A&M. I commuted (I lived halfway between Silsbee and Kountze back then), and it wasn't bad at all.

Paging @DermDoc

Lumberton would be my choice, but I like SE Texas. Most towns are what you make of them honestly.

Lived in Lumberton for 5 years and would do it again.

Do some flood research before buying.

With that said, take a look at homes/land for sale off of FM 779 out of Kountze.

Sorry, FM 770

There's a couple of nice places out there.