I actually like Three Rivers, although it would be nice to add a few businesses and a couple of restaurants besides Tex-Mex. I am moving back there after living in Central Texas - where I grew up - for the last couple of years.
It's a nice quiet town for the most part. There is a lot of community spirit and support for the school district from the locals, although I can see how many people coming from bigger cities for oilfield work would be bored there. For a nice quiet family life, though, it's great. I also like George West, which is a few miles down Highway 281 from Three Rivers.
Through my previous job, I became familiar with several communities in Refugio County (Refugio and Woodsboro), Goliad, San Patricio County (Mathis, Sinton, Gregory-Portland, Odem, Taft), Beeville and Rockport and McMullen County (Tilden). Each have their strengths and drawbacks, so it depends on what an individual or family is looking for when deciding on a location.
I will miss Central Texas, but family comes first, and Live Oak County is where I have the family members I'm closest to.
I also know from having lived in Three Rivers/Live Oak there are great people there, and water recreation with Choke Canyon Reservoir and a paddling trail on the Nueces River. Plus, it's a little more than an hour (or less, depending on how fast you drive) to San Antonio or Corpus Christi if you need access to the big city amenities.